November 5, 2026
PVA logo submission deadline extended to January 1st
Please submit any non-AI generated logos to Anastasia Walhovd via email (amwalhovd@proton.me) by midnight on January 1st! The deadline has been extended. You will be able to vote on the top submissions at the next PVA meeting on Thursday, January 28th.
Call to Block Jeffries and Schumer from leadership
Jorge spoke about how he is happy about the recent election results but stressed that the real work is just beginning and the movement now needs to look inward. He is concerned that Democratic leaders in Congress are already signaling they don’t want to “get even.” He suggested that we call our representatives and senators and urge them not to back Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House or Chuck Schumer for Senate Majority Leader.
For more information, contact Jorge at jorgeluis.aguirrebaez@gmail.com.
Pints and Perrier event in Las Cruces
Lucas Herndon, Policy Director at ProgressNow New Mexico, hoped people had found the organization’s voter guide useful and noted it has been a while since ProgressNow held an event in Las Cruces. He asked everyone to save the date for a Pints and Perrier event on January 14th (which will come before the next PVA meeting). The event will feature themed trivia, and after earlier events this year in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the Las Cruces one will have a legislative theme ahead of the upcoming session. A venue hasn’t been chosen yet, so he encouraged people to join the email list at progressnownm.org or follow ProgressNow on social media for updates.
Pints & Perrier for Progressives
Monday, January 14th, 2027
Time & Location TBD
For more information, contact Lucas at lucas@progressnow.org.
Community urged to hold Democrats accountable
Pat Aguirre, a campaign volunteer, credited the many people in the room who worked to win the election alongside good candidates, and encouraged them to give themselves more credit for what they accomplished. She said Democrats now have a golden opportunity to do real good, and she wants to make sure they use it. Her main recommendation was for people to call their elected officials whenever they see things heading in the wrong direction. She added that the goal isn’t to badger officials but to push them to think carefully and deliver good results, which she said everyone deserves. She closed with a cheerful “Yay!”
For more information, contact Pat at patricia.ann.aguirre@gmail.com.
Calls for new Congressional Leadership and supporting Young Democrats Winter Meeting
Jay Choate, a regional community organizer and Vice-Chair of the Doña Ana Young Democrats, echoed Jorge’s point that the “blue tsunami” gave Democrats a mandate to fight corruption and help voters, which he said requires bold leadership in New Mexico and in D.C. He urged attendees to pressure their representatives and senators in the coming weeks to oppose the BAAJA Bill as well as choose new leaders, and suggested Chris Van Hollen for the Senate and Jamie Raskin or Ro Khanna for the House. He stressed that “the fun part’s over” and that people now need to hold elected officials accountable at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
Jay also announced that the Young Democrats of America will hold their winter meeting in Albuquerque in December. He asked for fundraising help, mostly through ActBlue. However, he can also arrange checks or cash, and for outreach to young people, noting New Mexico’s growing energy and its role in the upcoming presidential primaries.
For more information, contact Jay at thejaychoate@proton.me.
Representative-Elect Dave Mooney thanks campaign supporters
Dave Mooney spoke briefly, mainly to thank everyone who gave time or resources to the campaign, which he called absolutely incredible. He repeated his thanks several times throughout his remarks. He also named key priorities tied to the campaign: access to healthcare, lobbying transparency, and protecting water, land, and air.
For more information, contact Dave at mooneyfornm@gmail.com.
Indivisible Las Cruces update
Sheri Reinhart of Indivisible Las Cruces promoted a celebratory rally that happened this past Saturday from 11:30a.m. to 1p.m. at North Campo Street and Las Cruces Avenue, joking that organizers weren’t sure until the results came in whether they’d be celebrating or crying. Participants gathered at 11:30 and began marching around noon. She noted that the veterans parade will be happening at the same time, so a big crowd is expected in the downtown plaza. Asked whether Indivisible will slow down now that the midterms are over, she gave an emphatic no, saying the group has a lot of work ahead and the work is barely beginning.
For more information, contact Sheri at sreinhar@comcast.net.
Judge-Elect Chrystian Gonzalez thanks supporters and promotes Free Legal Clinic
Chrystian Gonzalez, who ran unopposed for magistrate court, thanked people for their support and votes. He gave an update on the free legal clinics hosted by the Pro-Bono Committee. He highlighted an upcoming clinic, held in Alamogordo this past Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and said it is short on attorneys, so he hopes local lawyers will volunteer. The clinic covers a range of civil legal issues but not criminal matters.
For more information, contact Chrystian at chrystianforjudge@gmail.com.
Preparing for the Women’s Bill of Rights and the Women’s March
Jo Ann Bingel announced preparations underway for the Women’s March and development of the Women’s Bill of Rights. The Women’s March will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Jo Ann Bingel is an assembly leader with the Women’s March under their feminist versus fascist platform. Assembly leaders have been selected from across the country with 3 representatives in New Mexico. The feminist versus fascist platform was established to strategize, develop, and ratify a Women’s Bill of Rights at the 50th anniversary convention next year. Assembly leaders will conduct assemblies in every state to ask women across the country to help develop a Women’s Bill of Rights.
Jo Ann has scheduled two local assemblies in the Roadrunner Room at the Branigan Library: Thursday, November 12, 5-7pm and Saturday, November 21, 10am-12pm. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. All feminists are welcome! Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this important national event.
If you would like to join Jo Ann’s Las Cruces Resist email list and to be notified of future assemblies, please reach out at Las.Cruces.Resist@gmail.com.
Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District seeking funding from the legislature
Gill Sorg, Supervisor on the Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), announced that in response to recent flooding, SWCD and the Southern New Mexico Storm Water Coalition are planning to approach the legislature for funding to relandscape the watershed. The relandscaping project will hold water at higher elevation levels which will allow it to run down slower and to recharge the aquifer more efficiently. It also helps to hold sediment back which is a significant issue on agricultural land in the area post-flooding. Additionally, the project helps build habitat and vegetation for wildlife.
For more information, check out this website.
Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site celebrating anniversary of opening and raising money for educational programming
Marci Beyer with the Friends of the Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site and the Barela Store announced a celebration and sale to mark the 1st anniversary of the opening of the historic site on November 6 and 7. The Barela Store is the historic site’s gift shop and it is run by volunteers and the proceeds support educational programming. As they are a non-profit, they do not charge tax and everything will be on sale. Marci highlighted nativities as a potentially popular Christmas item they have in stock.
For more information, you can reach the store at 575-621-1242.
Gratitude from Judge Judy Baca on being re-elected County Probate Judge
Judge Judy Baca expressed her gratitude for being re-elected as the County Probate Judge. The office will be moving to a bigger location in the county building as filings are increasing. The office is getting over 300 filings per year and 100+ weddings a year. She announced that there may be some new ideas for the office to be announced if she can get them put into place in her term.
Judge Baca may be reached at 575-525-6132 or judithb@donaana.gov.
Thank you from Sheriff-Elect Vanessa Ordoñez
Sheriff-elect Vanessa Ordoñez shared her gratitude of being elected the first Latina sheriff of Doña Ana County ever and the second woman sheriff for the county. She expressed that she is anxiously waiting to inform her daughter who is currently in bootcamp and does not know the news yet of these new barriers that have been broken. Sheriff-elect Ordoñez also shared that she is working with the current Sheriff, Kim Stewart, on the county’s plan to transition power from one sheriff to the next. Sheriff-elect Ordoñez found that despite the challenges of the election, she sought to keep soaring higher, like an eagle who flies higher than the crows who go after them.
For more information, contact Vanessa at vanessaforsheriff@gmail.com.
Remembering Dolores Huerta and Elisa Sanchez
Maria Flores started by celebrating everybody who won their elections and thanked them for running. Maria asked us to remember two women who died very close to one another; Dolores Huerta who was known across the world, as well as our friend, Elisa Sanchez. Maria said that she did not know Elisa very well, but that the power she had in programs and schools was evident. Here’s some more information about how Elisa created the ENLACE Collaborative. Maria reiterated that the power that Elisa gave to students to be themselves, to find themselves, to understand themselves was amazing. May these two powerful women who were recently lost, Dolores Huerta and Elisa Sanchez, rest in peace.
For more information, contact Maria at maflores54@gmail.com.
Updates on the Air Quality Permit for Project Jupiter
Rocky Bacchus shared updates surrounding the air quality permit for Project Jupiter. The developers were granted the request to vacate an upcoming public hearing. Opposition to Project Jupiter believes the permit should only be extended for 90 days. Rocky explained that the reason for the extension is that the applicants filed new numbers for the air quality permit the week prior and the New Mexico Environmental Department said that they couldn’t analyze the new numbers and data in time. This does not mean that the air quality permit is dead. It could be dismissed which means the applicant could still re-file. You can read more about this process here.
Rocky also said that this could be an opportunity to advocate for compromises. Rocky is working for 100% renewable energy which would also address water concerns. Additionally, this compromise would have the proponents of Project Jupiter fund a buy down of solar costs in the community which would reduce the amount of power El Paso electric has to provide which would result in a 50% reduction of cost for community on electric bills. As it stands now, the El Paso Electric filing is for 73% increase in the base rates. That decision on rate increases won’t be decided for several months still. There are other potential benefits such as allowing back up gas electric for emergency weather situations at not more than 10% per year. Rocky’s goal with this compromise is for it to be good for the community and good for jobs.
For more information, contact Rocky at rockybacchus@gmail.com.
Federation of Democratic Women Celebration Dinner
Jim Hoerst announced that there will be a Federation of Democratic Women of Doña Ana County Celebration Dinner at the Holy Family Catholic Church (702 Parker Road) on Tuesday, November 10th. Jim also shared that he hopes that the Democrats nationally will find new leadership and that he would love to see AOC as speaker of the house. Lastly, he requested that we call our county commissioners and tell them to appoint newly elected Lori Martinez as the District 37 state representative for the rest of the year/term.
For more information, contact Jim at seattletags@gmail.com.
Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) is a NO if you oppose data centers and threats to Tribal sovereignty (also Navajo Nation/Four Corners flood recovery)
Anastasia Walhovd shared that if you are in opposition to Project Jupiter, you should also be in opposition to the BAAJA bill which is co-sponsored by Senator Martin Heinrich. Other NM federal reps have spoken out against the bill including Rep. Melanie Stansbury and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. Other opponents to the bill include 1100 historical preservation organizations across the United States, the All Pueblo Governors Council, the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, the Sierra Club, and more. As written, the bill would fast track development for AI data centers, oil and gas infrastructure, and other federally permitted projects. Under the current federal permitting process, developers have to stop and talk to the public and have meaningful consultation with Tribal Nations before construction begins. BAAJA would remove public participation and undercut the consultation process. The federal permitting process is already a process that is difficult for the public to access as is, and BAAJA would make it even less democratic.
Anastasia emphasized that under the current federal permitting process, the public does not have a codified “veto” to a developer, the best they can advocate for is for a project to make changes or move to a new location. The current process already highly favors developers and not the public; BAAJA would make that worse. Anastasia’s last point was that her comments are limited to the impacts that BAAJA would have on federal permitting under the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106), but BAAJA would also negatively impact the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act. Anastasia asked us to call our federal representatives and tell them to vote NO on BAAJA by Monday, November 9th and that inclusion of suggestions by Tribal Nations, the public, and environmental organizations MUST be included in any future re-writes of the bill.
Lastly, Anastasia mentioned the flooding the Navajo Nation from more than two weeks ago was so significant that there were still families reported being stranded in their homes on Election Day. If you’d like to contribute to recovery efforts in the Navajo Nation and the Four Corners, you can donate to Diné radio station KNDN, San Juan United Way, or the American Red Cross.
For more information, contact Anastasia at amwalhovd@proton.me.
Representative-elect Lori Martinez eager to get to work
Lori Martinez, Representative-elect for House District 37, expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported her campaign through canvassing, phone calls, donations, and outreach. She urged attendees to contact their county commissioners to ensure they follow through on their commitment to fill the vacant District 37 seat at Tuesday’s commission meeting.
Celebrating the Democrats’ new supermajority in the New Mexico House, she emphasized the importance of using that power to advance stalled legislation, particularly paid family and medical leave. She also condemned ICE’s detention of a community organizer with a one-year-old child, calling for serious discussion and action on immigration enforcement, including whether ICE should be reformed or abolished. Finally, she reaffirmed her commitment to healthcare affordability and asked constituents experiencing increases in health insurance premiums to contact her so she can share their stories and advocate for change.
For more information, contact Lori at lori4HD37@gmail.com.
Judge Jannette Mondragon shares hopes for positive change achieved by our courts
Judge Jannette Mondragon, a member of the Chickasaw Nation and a current Magistrate Court Judge for Division 6, expressed gratitude for the community’s support following her unopposed reelection. While acknowledging that her judicial position limits her ability to express political opinions, she shared her hope for her children, the community, and the positive changes that can be achieved through the courts. Reflecting on the emotional significance of the week’s election results, she thanked everyone for their often-unseen efforts, including phone calls, donations, volunteer work, and advocacy. She emphasized that these contributions make a real difference and that the election results demonstrate the impact of collective community involvement.
Judge Mondragon can be contacted at jannette.mondragon@gmail.com.
Nathan’s thinking big about legislative opportunities
Representative Nathan Small thanked supporters for his re-election to a sixth term, emphasizing the critical role southern New Mexico played in securing the Democrats’ new supermajority in the House. Looking ahead to what he expects to be the largest state budget in New Mexico’s history, he stressed the responsibility to build on investments in universal free childcare, tuition-free higher education, and healthcare coverage while exploring expanded access to primary care and health insurance for children. He identified reducing costs for New Mexico families as a central measure of success.
Nathan also highlighted the state’s acquisition of the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch, birthplace of civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, through a $50 million initiative involving tribal nations and federal partners to restore buffalo populations. He suggested the property could become a fitting tribute to Huerta’s legacy. Building on Maria Flores’s earlier comments on the influence of local advocate Elisa Sanchez, he emphasized that public investments must ultimately be judged by their impact on children and families. He closed by thanking community members for their continued activism and commitment to progress.
For more information, contact Nathan at nathanpsmall36@gmail.com.
A tribute, some concerns and our responsibilities
Peter Goodman paid tribute to the late Elisa Sanchez, whom he deeply admired and urged the community to remember. He also reiterated concerns about the Bipartisan Accessibility and Jobs Act, warning that supporters are seeking its rapid passage and encouraging us to remain vigilant. He noted that Senator Martin Heinrich is a sponsor of the legislation and urged community members to communicate their opposition directly to him, potentially through resolutions from the city council and county commission. More broadly, Peter emphasized that the celebration of recent electoral victories must be accompanied by a heightened sense of responsibility. He cautioned that political power requires careful scrutiny, accountability, and self-reflection, even when exercised by people we admire and support.
Contact Peter at peter@pgoodmanphotos.com.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks
John Ordoñez, Sheriff-elect Vanessa Ordoñez’s husband, congratulated the winning candidates and expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone who welcomed them into their homes and listened to their message during the campaign. He emphasized that, beyond the election victories, the friendships and personal connections they developed throughout the community were especially meaningful.
Contact John at jao7_3@yahoo.com.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as realized in midterm elections
Ernie Flores congratulated the candidates who won in Tuesday’s election and celebrated the Democrats’ electoral successes, particularly the victories of women and people of color. He emphasized that these results demonstrate that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remain alive and strong despite the Trump administration’s efforts to suppress DEI initiatives in universities and government through threats of punishment and loss of funding. Reflecting on more than 50 years of struggle for civil rights, he described Tuesday’s election as an affirmation of that work and a victory for the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For more information, contact Ernie at dr.flores2012@gmail.com.
Dedication and Celebration of Life for Jon Delgado
Logan Adams announced a dedication and celebration of life honoring John Delgado, an important leader in our community, who passed away in May. The event took place on Saturday, November 7, John’s birthday, at the Branigan Cultural Center. A mural honoring John was unveiled, and we were all invited to attend and participate in the remembrance.
Contact Logan at desertdocket.org.
Working the polls and celebrating the results
Bob Libby shared his experience serving as a vote challenger on Election Day, describing a very boring day at the polls with no protesters or disruptions, which Democratic Party officials assured him was a good thing. He recalled initially expecting that election results would not be available until the following day, only to be pleasantly surprised by the exciting results that unfolded Tuesday evening. He thanked everyone for their efforts and led us in robust cheering for the results.
Contact Bob at robertm.libby81@gmail.com.
Commissioner-elect Daisy Maldonado thanks everyone and forges ahead
Daisy Maldonado, Doña Ana County Commissioner-elect for District 1, thanked everyone who voted, volunteered, donated, and supported her campaign through a hard-fought primary and general election. She emphasized that Project Jupiter and the broader issue of data center development have become central to her community organizing efforts, working with both local and statewide groups. She announced a series of upcoming webinars focused on data centers, beginning with a discussion of their health impacts on Thursday, November 12, at 6 p.m.through this link, followed by a December webinar on policy proposals, including bans, moratoriums, and regulatory safeguards. A third webinar in January will focus on the upcoming legislative session and what New Mexico communities should seek from state lawmakers.
Daisy stressed the importance of community involvement in shaping data center policies and argued that decisions affecting local communities should be made locally rather than imposed from Santa Fe.
Contact Daisy at contact@daisy4dist1.com.
Charlotte’s List – a vital community resource
Mary Martinez White expressed appreciation for Charlotte Lipson’s tireless efforts to keep the community informed through her engaging and well-curated email lists, which distribute current news and information on a wide range of issues. If you would like to receive Charlotte’s emails, contact her at lipson@zianet.com.
Contact Mary at mwhite9409@gmail.com.