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| Jeff Apodaca |
Their message is that the dominant progressives have failed to improve the state despite having the reins of power in Santa Fe and elsewhere and in the process have sidelined Hispanic voices.
The group is the brainchild of businessman Jeff Apodaca, son of former Gov. Jerry Apodaca who served one term ('75-'79).
Jeff Apodaca, a moderate Democrat like his father, unsuccessfully sought the 2018 Dem gubernatorial nomination.
In an interview he unloaded the frustration that conservative and moderate Dem Hispanics (or Latinos) have expressed among themselves. However, Apodaca says his group is nonpartisan and represents not only Hispanic Dems but also frustrated Republicans and independents:
Progressives have been attacking Latinos and electing candidates in the last three elections that do not reflect our communities. I give them credit for getting their vote out but their policies have caused more crime, fewer job opportunities and a failure to deliver on healthcare. They are attacking our Latino candidacies, culture and legacy and it's time for us to respond by getting our vote out not just in presidential elections but all elections.
The NM Project is organized as a federal 501(c)(4) which limits how much political activity they can conduct but the regulations for that have been interpreted loosely.
Apodaca says the group has already raised "close to $1 million," all from within the state. That can't be fact-checked because money flowing to the group is not required to be reported to the state or FEC as is the case for the many dark money progressive groups operating here.
Says Apodaca:
The vast majority of the progressive money attacking our Latino candidates is coming from out of state and it appears the various groups--including Better Future for NM) run by consultant Amanda Cooper--will raise $2 million or more for the primary.
ON THE AIR
Our political landscape in New Mexico has been increasingly divided by the far-left progressives and the ultra-right pulling us in opposing directions. But there's a powerful force waiting to be unleashed--the moderate Latino voter. We are the majority. We make up 53 percent of the voters when we vote. Whether you identify yourself as moderate Democrat, Republican or independent, it's a must we come together to support candidates that reflect our shared values--like pro-healthcare, business, education and public safety.
The ultra-liberal progressive agenda pushed by outsiders has neglected the needs of the Latino community. The far-right rhetoric has brought further division, threatening our heritage. But we, the Latino voter, have the power to shape the future of our state by voting in the upcoming primaries. We can elect leaders in New Mexico who will bridge the political divide.
Apodaca says recent polling reveals that healthcare--and specifically the lack of doctors--is the top issue among Hispanic voters with crime, job opportunities and education next.
He says the Project's legislative agenda includes increased Medicaid payments for doctors, a revamp of the gross receipts tax to aid small business and support of a pre-trial detention bill that has stalled out in Santa Fe and that he says would cut crime
He adds that the group is also supportive of the oil and gas industry, noting that "forty-four percent of the workers in that industry are Latino."
THE SLATE
They include Dem Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto who is locked in a heated battle with progressive Heather Berghmans in ABQ and Rep. Ambrose Castellano from the Las Vegas area who is being challenged by progressive Anita Gonzales. Rep. Patty Lundstrom, the de facto leader of the House conservatives, is also getting aid from the group for her primary challenge.
Apodaca sees local elections as the key to reversing progressive dominance by having an influx of moderate Latino voters. He singled out Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber because, he says, Webber has been attentive to the needs of the Anglo, wealthy and progressive Eastside but not the city's Hispanic majority.
Apodaca says MLG and the Legislature have given the cities plenty of money to figure out the crime problem but progressive policies have thwarted any success,
There are mayoral elections in Santa Fe and ABQ next year. Webber is term limited but ABQ Mayor Keller is running for a third term. Apdoaca says his group hopes to be involved in both elections.
Progressives rose to the peak of their power following the 2020 primary elections where they ousted several longtime conservative Democratic senators including John Arthur Smith. Since then the Senate has drifted more liberal but nothing like the House where progressives took a commanding lead.
The defeat of a family medical leave bill in the House his past session gave rise to conservative Dem hopes that the progressive era has peaked and there will be a swing back toward the middle.
The NM Project has the money and the message to push such a change. Whether the voters are ready is the question.
This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2024