Nathan Brooks

Voters are being asked to go back in time to asses the qualifications of two candidates--a ABQ GOP House candidate who carries several criminal convictions including one over an ugly domestic violence incident and a US Congressman whose youthful days are fulled with numerous verbal indiscretions.

The House candidate entangled in his past is Nathan Brooks, the Republican nominee for the District 68 state House seat on ABQ's westside held by Dem Rep. Charlotte Little, a member of San Felipe Pueblo, who won the seat by a tiny 35 vote margin in 2022. 

But Republicans are concerned that she could pull away if voters hold Brooks accountable for his past from 15 to 17 years ago. 

Little's campaign sent this hard-hitting digital ad that is cringe-worthy in the way it describes Brooks' disturbing domestic violence arrest and conviction:

Before he was convicted of a DWI and charged with battering a police officer and evading arrest Nathan Brooks did something unforgivable. 

Police found a woman lying in front of a liquor store where Nathan Brooks had beat her. 

Witnesses said Brooks had thrown her to the ground then kicked and punched her several times walked away and attacked her again.

Brooks told police he was going to kill her when he got out.

Nathan Brooks is not fit to serve us.

Paid for and authorized by the Speaker Fund.

Pretty devastating stuff, none of which Brooks, 49, denies. He said this about his past on the Journal questionnaire:

Almost 20 years ago, I was arrested and convicted of misdemeanors. It was a difficult time in my life as I battled alcoholism. I have since entered recovery, learned from those experiences, turned my life around, focusing on becoming the best version of myself and serving my community. . .As Executive Director for the Commercial Association of REALTORS® NM and President of the New Mexico Real Estate Education Foundation in 2024, I bring extensive business experience. 

THE SUMMARY   

Rep. Little

Here is a summary the Democrats are circulating that shows what Brooks is facing:

On June 19, 2005, Nathan Taylor Brooks was arrested in Clark County, Nevada and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. . . Mr. Brooks was arrested and charged with two counts of Domestic Violence. Docket information indicates he pled Guilty to one count and on the other pled nolo contendere and found guilty on the other count. 

09-24-2006 - Albuquerque Metropolitan Court- T-4-DW-2006004758 - State of New Mexico vs. Nathan T. Brooks - DWI First Offense and Not Driving Within Traffic Lane - Mr. Brooks is arrested and booked. . . He pleads not guilty to DWI and the case is dismissed by the prosecutor - unable to proceed (this usually means the arresting officer, who actually prosecutes the case failed to show) and pled guilty and was found guilty of Not Driving Within Traffic Lane.

Mr. Brooks is arrested on 02-15-2007 and charged with Battery Upon a Peace Officer, Resisting/Evading/Obstructing an Officer, Reckless Driving 1st Offense, Aggravated DWI (1st Offense), No Evidence of Registration, and two counts of Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices. Mr. Brooks pleaded Guilty/No Contest to Resisting/Evading/Obstructing an Officer and Aggravated DWI 1st Offense.

Voters can either decide Brooks has redeemed himself by straightening out his life or decide that the grizzly domestic violence incident along with the DWI's and associated misbehavior is too much for them to tolerate. It's not a pleasant task.

VERBAL VASQUEZ

Meanwhile, Dem US Rep. Gabe Vasquez is facing what may be the final volley from Republican Yvette Herrell over his verbal indiscretions from his youth.

Records surfaced that show Vasquez nearly 20 years ago threatened to "kill" and "bury" a fellow student at NMSU. From the 2005 police report:

Mr. Vasquez admitted that he made the call to Carlos Solis that was construed to be a threatening-type call. He apologized and claimed at the time, he was very upset due to the condition of his friend [who was hospitalized]. Mr. Vasquez assured me that he wished no ill-will on Mr. Solis and will not call or harass Mr. Solis in any way.

Herrell said:

This is extremely dangerous and unhinged behavior from Gabe Vasquez, and he owes New Mexico’s Second District an immediate explanation and apology. 

And Vasquez: 

Once again, Yvette Herrell is making shameless, dishonest and desperate attacks against me. It's outrageous she's now exploiting the death of a close college friend to attack me. She just wants to distract voters because she was caught on tape admitting she wants to ban all abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or to save a woman's life.

Vasquez's past verbal mishaps were documented earlier in the campaign but don't seem to have slowed him. He led Herrell by nine points in both a late August Emerson College survey and a late September SurveyUSA.

Vasquez won election over Herrell in 2022, so much of his past has been vetted by voters who gave him a pass. 

Reports of the latest verbal indiscretions are new but Vasquez has not repeated such behavior during his term as a congressman and that may be making the difference.

BACK AGAIN

Speaker Johnson

Herrell is bringing back US House Speaker Mike Johnson for a second visit to the the 2nd Congressional District in support of her campaign. It shows the GOP is not giving up on the swing seat but also reveals the challenge they face. 

Johnson, who previously appeared in Las Cruces for Herrell, will now be in Carlsbad October 23 to get out the vote. 

That's in SE oil country which is generally friendly for her but not as much as Hobbs and Roswell which are now split up between other districts.

Herrell needs solid conservative southeast turnout but she needs it even more in ABQ's South Valley and Westside which are now in the district. That's where she could really use some big league names--if the areas are still in play for her. 

(Those interested in attending the Oct. 23 Carlsbad event can check here.)

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