Republican County Chairs Declare Victory as Court Ends Controversy Over State Chair Amy Barela

Albuquerque, NM — Six Republican County Chairs expressed strong satisfaction Wednesday following a court ruling coming out of Otero County that removes Amy Barela as Republican Party of New Mexico State Chair, declaring the long-running dispute over party rules resolved.

The chairs, who filed a civil suit on May 1, 2026, in the 2nd Judicial District Court and supported the 12th Circuit filing against Barela and the Republican Party of New Mexico, issued the following statement:

"We are pleased with the Court’s decision, which affirms the controversy is now over regarding the Uniform State Rule 1-4-4,” said John Brenna, Chair of the Valencia County Republican Party. “This ruling validates the position we have maintained throughout these proceedings.”

The victory from the Twelfth Judicial District Court in (Jonathan Emery, Aubrey Blair Dunn, Duke Rodriguez, Mr. X SCC Member and Ms. Y SCC Member v. Amy Barela, Republican Party of New Mexico, Jim Townsend and Kim Skaggs, D-1215-CV-2026-00406), the court ruled that Amy Barela vacated the position of State Chair when she filed as a candidate in a contested primary for Otero County Commission. The court additionally ordered party officials not to publicly support Republicans running for office in contested races. The decision follows evidence and testimony presented to Judge Cindy Mercer on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Robert Aragon, the attorney representing the six Republican County Chairs, announced plans to quickly close out the parallel litigation in Albuquerque.

"Tomorrow, we will file a motion to dismiss the civil case against Amy Barela and RPNM that was filed on May 1, 2026 in the 2nd Judicial District Court, D-202-CV-2026-04390, as today’s ruling is the decisive outcome we expected.”

Daphne Orner, Chair of the Bernalillo County Republican Party, struck a forward-looking tone despite the internal party conflict:

“No matter the controversy that exists, Republicans are committed to electing Republican candidates who will have a positive influence on the lives and livelihood of every citizen in New Mexico.”

The statements from the county chairs underscore their view that the court’s enforcement of Uniform State Rule 1-4-4 brings finality to questions surrounding leadership neutrality in the final stretch before the June 2, 2026 primary election.

Challenger to Amy Barela, Johnathan Emery issues the following statement:

“I have been asked by numerous sources for a statement on yesterday's court decision. Why have I been quiet, and why haven't I talked about this lawsuit at all? Well, I'm not gloating because this lawsuit is not just about my campaign or the others involved. It should have never had to be filed in the first place. Yesterday was a win, not for me, not for just those who filed, but for the Republican Party and for all the people of the State of New Mexico. We took a stand because no one is above the rules of law, and someone had to. I took a stand because, as I stated in an earlier post, even if I had to fight the party I was a member of, I would. If I break the rules or violate the law, I would be disciplined, up to and including termination, or worse, arrested and/or incarcerated. I don't know what effect, if any, this lawsuit will have on June 2nd, since the damage is already done. My campaign was labeled 'David vs. Goliath' in the early days of its announcement. Well, some of those words in the article continued to play out that scenario. The battle is not over; I may be David in that story, but Otero County is the slingshot, and District 2 is the rock!”

Questions Remain on the Path Forward

While the ruling enforces Uniform State Rule 1-4-4 and creates a vacancy in the State Chair position, questions persist about the immediate and long-term process. According to RPNM bylaws, when a vacancy occurs in the office of State Chair, the First Vice Chair assumes leadership on an interim basis. A special meeting of the State Central Committee must then be called (within 30 days) to elect a permanent replacement.

Some reports indicate First Vice Chair Mike Nelson would step in temporarily. However, with the primary election just days away on June 2, party officials have previously described replacing the chair before the election as “very difficult.” The court’s preliminary injunction does not explicitly require an immediate new election, leaving open the possibility that the interim arrangement could extend through the primary, with a full election by the State Central Committee to follow. The party has indicated it may appeal the ruling.

This development highlights ongoing divisions within the New Mexico Republican Party even as it heads into the critical primary election period.

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