The Democratic Party of Valencia County faced a unique challenge Oct. 19 as extreme weather disrupted plans for a major campaign event. Despite heavy rain, wind and hail, the group’s commitment to mobilize voters persisted.
The New Mexico Freedom March Committee had organized the second-ever Freedom March through downtown Santa Fe, culminating in a get out the vote rally at the Roundhouse. However, the weather forced the event indoors to the Santa Fe Democratic Headquarters.
State Senator Antoinette Sedillo López addressed a small crowd about the stakes of the upcoming general election. Drawing from an adage her father used to say, López said, “Democrats are for the people and Republicans are for the money,” adding, “Donald Trump is all about money for corporate interests and himself and Kamala is all about the middle class and people, making sure our policies, social security and the economy, work for everyday people. And that is such a stark difference.”
Although Rep. Gabriel Vasquez and Sen. Martin Heinrich were scheduled to speak at the rally, neither attended. Heinrich did donate enchiladas for volunteers at the phone-banking event though where volunteers made hundreds of calls, including many in Spanish, urging them to cast their ballots.
Idalia Lechuga-Tena, an organizer and spokeswoman for the event, spoke passionately about the importance of the election.
“Unfortunately, right now there is a lot of racism,” she said. “There is a lot of sexism and attacks on women. This is important because we need to continue to keep our freedom – women’s reproductive rights. We all believe in that; it’s about preserving and maintaining our freedom.”
She said racism, sexism and discrimination are running rampant and that it’s time to take our country back, and to turn a new page.
“This is the most important election of our lifetime,” she said. “We know what Donald Trump has said, that if you vote for him, you will never have to vote again. Why is that? Because he stacked the supreme court. It’s 6-3.”
As the heavy rain subsided and volunteers prepared to head home, a sense of camaraderie and determination filled the headquarters. While the atmosphere was joyous, it was also tinged with anxiety.
At the forefront of many volunteers’ minds was the issue of women’s reproductive rights. Following the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022, the Washington Post reported a New Mexican legislator claimed the party will work towards codifying abortion rights in the state’s constitution. However, no such legislation has been proposed.
“I am not aware of any current legislation that would add this provision to our constitution,” Michael Padilla, the Senate majority whip, said in an email.
