Sierra County GOP Joins Growing Wave of County Rebellions: Open Letter Demands RPNM Chair Amy Barela Resign Over Contested Primary Rules Violation

Alamogordo, NM – March 26, 2026 – The internal rift tearing at the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) deepened this week as the Republican Party of Sierra County became the latest county organization to publicly call for State Chairwoman Amy Barela to immediately resign her statewide post — citing a clear violation of party rules triggered by her own re-election bid for Otero County Commissioner.

In a strongly worded open letter circulated to RPNM State Central Committee (SCC) members via Mailchimp, the full Sierra County Republican Party Board of Directors framed the demand as a matter of restoring unity and focus at a time when national Democratic polling is weak and the 2026 elections loom large.

“The Board of Directors of the Republican Party of Sierra County is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and electing candidates who represent our values and ensuring our constituents reach the polls,” the letter begins. “While Chairwoman Amy Barela’s leadership began as a well-organized effort to guide our Party, the current environment has devolved into confusion and negativity among our membership. This atmosphere has fostered internal distrust at a critical time when we should be capitalizing on low Democratic polling numbers and focusing on the upcoming elections.”

The board respectfully requested Barela’s resignation “in good faith for the continued success of the Party” and was signed by every officer and member-at-large:

• Johanna Tighe, Chair

• Dr. Michael Stephens, First Vice Chair

• Jacqueline Bentley, Second Vice Chair

• Angelina Kokott, Secretary

• Carol Ness, Treasurer

• Cathy Vickers, Member-at-Large

• Kandie Daves, Member-at-Large

• KC White, Member-at-Large

• Virginia Womack, Member-at-Large

• Julianne Stroup, Former CD-2 Vice Chair

Contact numbers for the Sierra County leadership were included for SCC members to reach out directly.

The Rule at the Heart of the Saga

The controversy traces directly to RPNM Uniform State Rule (USR) 1-4-4, which states without ambiguity or exception for incumbents: If a state officer “files as a candidate for public office and there is another Republican who has filed for the same office, the state officer shall immediately vacate the party office.” Complementary rules prohibit party officers from using resources or issuing endorsements in contested primaries.

Candidate filings on March 10, 2026, made the trigger crystal clear: Barela, the incumbent Otero County Commissioner District 2, filed at 9:06 a.m. Retired Otero County Sheriff’s deputy and Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority IT expert Jonathan T. Emery filed just two minutes later at 9:08 a.m. — instantly creating a contested Republican primary for the June 2, 2026 election.

Bernalillo County Fired the First Public Shot

The push began in earnest on March 17 when Bernalillo County Republican leaders — the state’s largest county organization — issued their own formal call, with First Vice Chair Mark Murton declaring the case “cut and dry.” He told Source NM: “The issue is very simple. The speed limit is 65 mph and you’re going 85… she’s already vacated the position. She’s no longer a legitimate chair.” Multiple other counties, including Sandoval, have since aligned with the effort, with reports indicating as many as a dozen county-level voices now involved in some capacity.

Critics argue Barela’s continued chairmanship gives her an institutional megaphone and access to donor lists, media platforms, and party resources that her primary challenger simply cannot match. Local coverage by outlets including 2nd Life Media has documented Barela’s overwhelming dominance in Google-indexed news mentions versus Emery since filing day.

State Party Fires Back: “She Has NOT Resigned”

On March 24, the RPNM Executive Board (including Barela herself, National Committeeman James Townsend, National Committeewoman Tina Dziuk, and others) sent an official rebuttal email to SCC members titled “RPNM Chairwoman Has NOT Resigned.” It labels the county calls “illegitimate” and “an attempt to usurp the RPNM chairmanship position,” insists Barela remains the “duly elected and sitting” chair, and states the board is consulting RPNM legal counsel, RNC counsel, and the Advisory State Rules Committee. SCC members were urged to “ignore this call.”

Barela has repeatedly declined to step down, telling reporters as recently as mid-March she was “not ready” to address the question and answering “no” when directly asked.

Defenders and Historical Precedent

Some defenders, including State Sen. James Townsend (R-Artesia), argue the rule’s intent was to prevent a chair from challenging an incumbent rather than an incumbent seeking re-election. However, the rule text itself makes no such distinction. Political analyst Joe Monahan noted on March 23 that history offers little wiggle room for Barela: a similar 2004 scenario ended with the state chair resigning. Monahan wrote that the GOP is “being ripped apart” and warned the dispute could head to the full State Central Committee or even the courts.

What It Means for New Mexico Republicans

With early voting for the June primary approaching and crucial statewide races on the horizon, the infighting has spilled onto social media and local forums. Commentators across the spectrum — from Bernalillo County leaders to conservative voices like NavConPatriot — warn that prolonged division plays directly into Democratic hands at the worst possible moment.

Sierra County’s letter closes on a note of mission-first pragmatism: “To expeditiously resolve this disruption and restore unity…”

As of this morning, Barela remains chair. No SCC vote or court filing has been announced, but the drumbeat of county-level resolutions shows no sign of slowing. The saga, which erupted just days after candidate filing closed, continues to dominate New Mexico political conversation.

2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News / KALHRadio.org  will continue following developments in this fast-moving story, including any response from Otero County Republicans, potential SCC action, or legal developments. For the full Sierra County letter and state party response, see the original Mailchimp distribution or contact the county chairs listed above.

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