Failed Republican candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives Solomon Pena, who was behind a shooting at a Democratic politician’s home, has come under fire for his election defeat and support for Donald Trump pour oil.
Mado Video:
Mado said:
Now, you hear the mayor mention that this is about a right-wing activist, an election denier who was arrested today. I believe this refers to the frequent public statements and online social media statements by the Republican candidate insisting that he did not actually lose this election as the Republican candidate last November.
Republicans renominated him for a November run for a state legislative seat outside Albuquerque. He lost to Grand Magun by more than 3,500 votes. He has since maintained that he didn’t really lose the election, that the election was against him.
Local reports on his candidacy noted that he was, in the words of the Santa Fe New Mexican, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump. He appeared to emulate Trump in rejecting the election he lost, but tonight police in Albuquerque said he went further and formally charged him tonight, accusing him of pulling the trigger himself and leading a conspiracy with four others Men opened fire on the homes of other Democratic officials.
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It was only a matter of time before a Republican candidate poisoned by Trump’s denials turned to violence. A veto is a rejection of reality, and when taken to heart as a fact, it can fuel violence.
The entire country experienced this firsthand during the 1/6 attack on the Capitol inspired by Trump’s election denial. Pena is following the example of New Mexico terrorism.
An election veto is dangerous because it opens the door to political violence that could threaten the country’s stability.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a congressional correspondent for the White House Press Fellowship and PoliticusUSA. Jason has a BA in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, specializing in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Association of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association
