Time again for another timeless edition of Reader Vox Populi where insightful readers write the blog. 

The contention that we made here Tuesday that Trump's recent dealings with Mexico paid off drew mail and often the ire of readers. First, what we said on that blog:

Mexico has agreed to place 10,000 troops on the US-Mexico border to stop the flow of fentanyl here in exchange for President Trump delaying his plan to impose tariffs on Mexico. Say what you will, but that is one of the most concrete actions taken by any government to interrupt the fentanyl scourge that has ruined the lives of so many New Mexicans and contributed mightily to the high crime rate here. 

Vox Populi kicks into high gear with reaction. We begin with longtime journalist Peter Katel, now retired, who covered Mexico for years for numerous national news outlets:  

Hi Joe, Regarding your comment about Mexico’s deployment of troops to its border with the U.S., this is not a first. Mexico sent even more troops in 2019. The latest deployment offered both Trump and Mexican President Sheinbaum a way to back down from a tariff war that would have (and still might) hurt both sides. Whether it does anything beyond that is questionable. 

If troop deployments were a solution to the fentanyl crisis, then the 2019 action would have made the latest one unnecessary. Granted, the earlier troop move by Mexico was aimed at migrants, not drugs. But unless the newly assigned troops start searching every single vehicle coming through a port of entry - unimaginable, given the traffic volume - this deployment looks like another in the long list of drug-war theatrics. 

As all data make clear, most fentanyl entering the U.S. from Mexico comes through ports of entry, smuggled by American citizens. A well-done summary by the libertarian Cato Foundation concludes: "Policymakers should focus on reducing demand for fentanyl rather than futilely trying to reduce supply."

Former state Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino writes:

First, the vast majority of the fentanyl entering the US comes through ports of entry and is transported hidden among the containers brought across the border by the hundreds of thousands of commercial trucks which enter daily. That putting 10,000 Mexican troops on the border will do anything extra in stopping that flow is highly unlikely unless those military troops have access to some type of technology that will detect packages of fentanyl buried among the legal products being imported—or unless they are willing to stop every single truck and off-load their contents which will bring traffic at the ports of entry to a complete halt. 

In fact, the number of fentanyl-related deaths in the country have dropped over the past two years. There are still far too many lives being lost, but the efforts of the Biden administration to intercept fentanyl at the border have paid off. That effort was aided by the development of better technology for detecting the presence of fentanyl. . .It is in further improvements in that direction that we will be able to make headway in reducing the availability of this poison—not in the photo op involved in stationing soldiers along the border—doing what? 

BLOG ADDENDUM

Good points from Peter and Jerry. Our position--as explained elsewhere--is that troop deployment can have an impact "when combined with a broader strategy, including intelligence-sharing, addressing the demand for fentanyl, and strengthening partnerships with international authorities." There is no cure-all.

LUJAN AND KENNEDY 

Reader Ricardo Flores writes in defense of Sen. Lujan:  

I think the criticism of Ben Ray Lujan by the MAGA media (over his questioning of RFK, Jr.) is par for the course when it comes to any racial/ethnic minority member of Congress because of racial attitudes that still exist. Even where the details of any law or policy are not fully understood by the public, the MAGA media will sharpen their focus on racial/ethnic minority members who are in the spotlight so that they can launch a full-out attack at the slightest discrepancy, or opposition to their right wing ideology.  

Opposing RFK was the right thing to do given his stated position on vaccines. Senator Lujan did a commendable job of pressuring him to attain some level of disclosure about how he would lead HHS and, more importantly, to expose his loyalty to Trump's divisive agenda. 

On social media, Shoebill McGee wrote: 

No one attacked Benny. We simply pointed out that giving an answer he didn’t like is not failing to answer. Benny boy was rude and his questions weren’t productive. As a huge fan of RFKJ, I’m very happy to see him be questioned, as long as it’s productive. 

THE BOTTOM LINES 

In the first draft of the Wednesday blog the last name of mayoral candidate Mayling Armijo was edited incorrectly several times. We apologize for the error.

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Mayling Armijo

The newest candidate in the ABQ mayoral race immediately went to work on Mayor Tim Keller's soft spot, condemning the city's continuing high crime and homelessness and putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the two-term incumbent. (Video here.)

Mayling Armijo, a former director of the Bernalillo County Economic Development Office with close ties to former Republican County Commissioner Wayne Johnson, is thus far the only officially announced Keller challenger.

Armijo declared her entry Tuesday at a downtown coffee bar: 

Crime is out of control. . .we deserve better. If you commit a crime in ABQ there will be consequences and, yes, criminals will go to jail. No excuses. It's time to get serious about solutions and restore accountability.

Notably, Armijo, an ABQ native, gave a strong vote of confidence to APD even as it is mired in the worst corruption scandal in its history. She told supporters and reporters:

I understand what it means to wear a uniform. As a (Navy) veteran I know the sacrifices and responsibilities. It's time allow our police to do their job effectively and safely, giving them the resources and supporting their goal of a safer city.

Armijo, who describes herself as a “proud daughter of an immigrant and a Hispanic veteran small business owner," scored the Keller administration over the homeless problem:

Homelessness is a public health crisis not a housing crisis. . .fueled by addiction and worsened by failed leadership. Resources are thrown at the problem with no measurable results.

And on drugs: 

The current administration has not made any progress in the last eight years. . . We need true health treatment and counseling for individuals who suffer from drug addiction or mental illness. A Keller operative responded:

What? She doesn't like the Gateway Center, the first entry into the public health arena the city has ever made? Where was she on behavioral health when Bernalillo County passed a behavioral tax and they could not move the money out the door? The city approved a tax hike and put it to work. Mayling and company failed.  

After her formal announcement Armijo fully embraced a vigorous tough on crime platform in an interview with KKOB radio and their mainly conservative audience, indicating again that she will not be romancing the city's progressives in the November election. 

THE ARMIJO FILE

Armijo, 48, a registered Democrat who, if elected, would be the first woman mayor, is making her maiden bid for public office. 

We blogged January 15 about Armijo's ties to private developers, anticipating her entry into the race. 

Armijo has also served as Deputy County Manager for Sandoval County (under Manager Wayne Johnson) and is currently the Executive Director of Elevated Lending CDC which specializes "in SBA 504 loans, bringing federal funding directly to local businesses. Our personalized approach ensures that every entrepreneur receives expert guidance and tailored financial solutions."

The mayoral race race is officially nonpartisan but Armijo's ties to Johnson who ran and lost against Keller in 2017 were seized on by Democrats to push her to the Republican right. They pointed out that Johnson's wife, Kurstin Johnson, ran unsuccessfully for the start Senate last year and is a prominent in ABQ real estate. 

Armijo's backers says she also worked in economic development under Dem Gov. Richardson.

MONAHAN ANALYSIS

Joe Monahan

Armijo has filed as a privately financed candidate and will not try to qualify for pubic financing.

Keller, 47, will again pursue public financing for his campaign. 

He has the organization to get the many small donations needed to qualify for $755,000 in public money.

As in the past, a separate political committee apart from the campaign is expected and that could push his total funding to over $1 million. That is a high hurdle for Armijo or any challenger to jump.

Keller is seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term. Fatigue and frustration with crime are palpable but so is an air of apathy that may be keeping professional politicos on the sidelines.

In the early going a a pattern is forming that was seen when Keller won re-election in 2021 when two conservative candidates--former Sheriff Manny Gonzales and radio talk host Eddy Aragon--ran against Keller and split the  conservative vote. Democrat Keller managed to get well over 50 percent and avoided a run-off election. 

This time Aragon says he's running again but has not yet made an official declaration with the city. 

And for another dose of dejavu, former BernCo Sheriff Darren White is said to be eying a run. If both get in that could set up another split of the conservative vote and again ease Keller's path. 

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Sen. Lujan

Let's check in on Dem US Senator Ben Ray Lujan Ben Ray Lujan who we blogged about January 7 as he went into cycle for his 2026 re-election bid. 

He is now on the Senate Finance Committee where last week he queried Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on his nomination to lead the Department of  Health and Human Services. Afterwards Lujan did an interview with NBC News, saying:

One thing I am good at is counting votes and right now I can't count the votes to get him over the top.

Lujan rose to the rank of Assistant House Speaker before securing a Senate seat in 2020. He also led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee where he was an ace vote counter.

(The Finance Committee Tuesday morning on a party line vote of 14-13 advanced the Kennedy nomination to the Senate floor. )

Lujan's nationally televised questioning (video) of Kennedy was derided in right-wing media and the socials. Examples:

In our January 7th blog we wrote:

There is just enough ambiguity about the Senator that Republicans see an opening albeit a very narrow one. 

Soon after that a Lujan PR blitz--enabled by his new committee slot and the onslaught of Trump's actions--got underway and he now closing the window on that ambiguity.

Unlike the race for Governor, no Republican names are circulating of possible hopefuls to take on Lujan in '26.  

By the way, Lujan was the only one of the the states five member all Democratic congressional delegation  to attend Trump's inauguration. 

The President appeared to do surprisingly well with rural New Mexico Hispanic Democrats as he trimmed his losing margin here to 6 percent. Trump repeatedly says he "loves Hispanics." The message was not lost on Lujan, a native of the north. 

KELLER REBUTS CERVANTES

Chief Medina & Keller

A provocative blog quote over ABQ crime and the crime bills pending in Santa Fe from state Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joseph Cervantes drew a sharp response from City Hall. First here's that quote again that came from Cervantes in reaction to the APD DWI scandal:   

I've said for years, with lots of opposition, that Albuquerque crime is attributable to an utter lack of accountability and leadership, and outright corruption, which the public and media tolerate. No new laws can solve this. 

And the push back from Mayor Keller's office:   

For any lawmaker to say that 'laws don't matter' totally undermines the point of having a state legislature. It's this kind of flawed logic that holds our state back and is a disservice to New Mexican families who demand action. The Mayor and Chief have been working from day one to clean up the APD, raising the murder clearance rate, reducing auto theft, salvaging the reform process, and generally keeping the department from falling off a cliff. There isn't a corner of our state that isn't affected by fentanyl and violent crime, which is why we need everyone to pitch in and do everything in their power to fight crime. 

Aside from the squabble between Cervantes and Keller, there's the news that Mexico has agreed to place 10,000 troops on the US-Mexico border to stop the flow of fentanyl here in exchange for President Trump delaying his plan to impose tariffs on Mexico. 

Say what you will, but that is one of the most concrete actions taken by any government to interrupt the fentanyl scourge that has ruined the lives of so many New Mexicans and contributed mightily to the high crime rate here. 

Meantime, new Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Monday made the border at Sunland Park, New Mexico his first trip as Pentagon chief, visiting with soldiers stationed there who are assisting immigration personnel with border security.

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Sen. Cervantes

State Senator Joseph Cervantes hasn't changed his tune. Once again he is pushing his view that ABQ's crime crisis is primarily a local problem that demands local solutions and won't be resolved by statewide legislation.

The powerful chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says his views are made only stronger by the staggering APD DWI scandal where numerous officers are accused of taking hefty bribes in exchange for getting DWI offenders off the hook. 

The blog last week reported the decades-long history of corruption at the department, a report that drew wide reaction including this from Chairman Cervantes:

Great coverage of APD corruption. I've said for years, with lots of opposition, that Albuquerque crime is attributable to an utter lack of accountability and leadership, and outright corruption, which the public and media tolerate. No new laws can solve this.

"No new laws can solve this?" That's an ominous declaration. 

Not all crime bills go before Cervantes' committee but there is enough power there for the Governor and her legislative backers to hold tight to their four leaf clovers and hope that after years of Cervantes and company prevailing that somehow this year is different. 

MLG continues to insist that repeat offenders are a major cause of the violent crime. She did so again at a new conference as the votes have yet to appear for her crime package and as she plays Batman to BernCo District Attorney Sam Bregman's Robin.

The repeat offender contention has more political appeal than absolute truth because we keep creating new offenders but it has legs. 

His detractors say Cervantes is ignoring the statewide problem because he is a trial lawyer with an inherent bias. 

Still, as Cervantes contends, the rate of ABQ violent crime does far surpass that of the state's other major cities. 

ABQ police report 1,319 such crimes per 100,000 population in 2023. That compares to Las Cruces (Cervantes' district) with 579 per 100,000; Rio Rancho with only 112 and the city of Santa Fe at a worrisome 854. Some much smaller rural cities like Gallup and Roswell have had notable spikes while there has been a slight improvement in ABQ's overall crime rate which peaked at historic levels. (Stats are here.)

Cervantes' central point--that ABQ has not stepped up--has not been shot down. 

OUR HOT MESS

Mayor Keller (KRQE)

APD has been a hot mess for decades with the Federal DOJ coming in as a response to the record number of fatal police shootings but ignoring the rotten culture dominating the agency. 

APD's budget has skyrocketed yet the return on that money is scandal, humiliation for the good cops, disdain for the city by economic planners and a continued population stagnation as people vote with their feet. 

Not all of that falls on the current mayor as evidenced by the years-long DWI scandal and the advent of the sinister fentanyl epidemic that has occurred on the incumbent's watch.

Cervantes is getting nowhere not just with MLG but also Keller as the mayor's tune, like the Senator's, has not changed:

(Keller) said he has faith in the current leadership of the police department to fix the culture and restore public trust. The allegations against APD officers had many people calling on Chief Medina to step down. Mayor Keller backed the chief. . . Mayor Keller credits the chief with helping the FBI root out any suspected players in the scheme.“It takes a lot to be the team that cleans it up and owns it. And that’s what we’ve done. So I do feel optimistic going forward that this department is in a vastly different place on a number of fronts. And I have to believe that this would be caught much, much sooner if it were to happen again,” Keller said. 

Maybe. Or is he whistling past the graveyard? 

The crime debate is always messy, complicated, often misleading and ultimately frustrating. We end with the long view from US Rep. Gabe Vasquez from his speech last week to state legislators:

New Mexicans understand that the path to safer communities begins with addressing the root causes of crime and public safety. That includes poverty, domestic violence, addiction, gun safety, homelessness and the lack of economic opportunity.

Anyone have a magic wand they're not using?

(Rep. Melanie Stansbury also addressed the Legislature. Here is her speech.)

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