DPNM Chair Sara Attleson Response to Recent Treasurer's Resignation

In a statement to the press, Chair Sara Attleson, Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party responded to Treasuer Ms. Rochman’s resignation:

"Last month, Vice Chair Cam Crawford and I stepped into our new leadership roles at DPNM with plans to get to work and strengthen our Party. Working with Secretary Brenda Hoskie and Democrats around New Mexico, we’ve done just that. Since we were elected on April 26th, we’ve traveled to rural counties and built up Party infrastructure in counties that previously had none.

As Democrats, we hold strong convictions and are effective and spirited campaigners. In last month’s State Central Committee elections, Julie Rochman ran as part of a slate of candidates including candidates for Chair and Vice Chair who each came in second place. Team DPNM was hopeful that we could all move forward together, regardless of which slate of candidates won or lost. Contrary to her letter, we welcomed Julie to be a part of the movement we’re building. Unfortunately, shortly after the election, she decided this team wasn’t an ideal fit for her. We respect her decision and wish her all the best in future endeavors and Democratic activism.

New Mexico Democrats proudly draw our strength from our diversity, which is apparent in our leadership. The majority of our statewide elected leaders are Hispanic, including our Governor, as are the majority of our federal level elected leaders. Within our internal Party structure, we bring an array of experiences and backgrounds – Vice Chair Cam Crawford is a 23-year old African American, Brenda Hoskie of McKinley County is a member of the Navajo Nation and fluent in Diné, several other DPNM Officers recently elected as Congressional District Vice Chair are Hispanic, and our State Central Committee spans demographics and truly looks like the communities they represent.

As DPNM leaders elected by our Party faithful, we have to lead by example. We have to trust the will of the voters who elected us and respect our Party’s role in the upcoming Democratic primary. This means we have to be responsible stewards of sensitive voter data and campaign strategies we are entrusted with. At a time when billionaires are dictating public policy and Donald Trump is eliminating essential services, we have to stay focused on fighting for working class New Mexicans, not turning on each other.

SARA ATTLESON, CHAIR OF NEW MEXICO DEMOCRATIC PARTY