Searchlight New Mexico Reporter Ed Williams Wins Inaugural Bob Johnson Excellence in Journalism Award for Exposing Dark Money in Malpractice Reform Fight

March 23, 2026 – Investigative journalist Ed Williams of Searchlight New Mexico has been named the first recipient of the Bob Johnson Excellence in Journalism Award for his groundbreaking reporting on how a well-financed, secretive nonprofit group used misinformation and undisclosed funding to derail medical malpractice reform efforts during the 2025 New Mexico legislative session.

The award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize, was established by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, the New Mexico Press Association, and the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. It honors outstanding journalism from the previous year that examines the influence of money and power in state government, shining a light on transparency and accountability issues.

Williams’ February 25, 2025, article, titled something along the lines of exposing the “dark money group fighting medical malpractice reform,” detailed the operations of New Mexico Safety Over Profit, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that presented itself as a grassroots organization of “individuals and families harmed by big corporations” and profit-driven health care systems.

In reality, the group—rebranded in late 2024 from an earlier entity called Fairness for New Mexico Patients—relied on undisclosed “dark money” donations, including an initial $334,000 from a single anonymous source, and had close ties to the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association (NMTLA). It operated with no paid staff, shared office space with political consultants and former lawmakers, and collaborated with trial lawyer interests while claiming independence.

The organization launched a multifaceted campaign—including emails, press conferences, op-eds, paid ads, and a November 2024 report titled “The Healthcare Crisis: Solutions Driven by New Mexico Patients”—to oppose proposed reforms aimed at addressing New Mexico’s severe health care challenges. These included skyrocketing medical malpractice insurance premiums (often double the national average), physician shortages, and threats of rural hospital closures, exacerbated by private equity ownership of many facilities.

Key tactics involved spreading misinformation, such as misrepresenting studies to falsely claim physician numbers were rising in New Mexico and denying premium increases despite evidence from legislative reports showing sharp rises. The group argued against limiting attorney fees, capping punitive damages, or restricting venue shopping in lawsuits, framing reforms as corporate plots to deny patients justice.

Williams’ investigation followed the money trail, revealing the group’s opaque funding and connections, which prompted a formal complaint to the New Mexico State Ethics Commission in June 2025 and contributed to broader scrutiny of dark money in state politics.

“The extent to which legislative decisions can be influenced not by public discussion, but by money,” Williams said in reflecting on the piece. “It raises serious questions about how decisions are made—are they in the public interest, or personal interest?”

The selection committee highlighted the article’s impact. Belinda Mills, president of the New Mexico Press Association and a committee member, explained: “I selected this piece for its strong focus on following the money and bringing greater transparency to how policy can be influenced. It connects key information in a clear and meaningful way, helping readers better understand a complex issue and its impact on New Mexicans.”

The award underscores ongoing concerns about dark money’s role in New Mexico policymaking, where anonymous donors can shape outcomes on critical issues like health care access without public accountability.

For the full original reporting by Ed Williams, visit: https://searchlightnm.org/dark-money-fighting-malpractice-reform-new-mexico-2025-legislature/

This recognition celebrates journalism that holds power to account and promotes informed public discourse in New Mexico.

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