Senator Nicole Tobiassen

Recently, Senator Antonio “Moe” Maestas, an Albuquerque Democrat, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that my tough-on-crime policy proposals were ‘stupid.’ This is regarding my attempts to strengthen his weak and inconsequential ‘juvenile crime’ bill HB 255 that a number of his own Democrat colleagues voted against. The level of immaturity it takes to call someone ‘stupid’ could be expected in a high school lunchroom, not the New Mexico State Senate. While I couldn’t care less about a childish remark targeted at myself or my approach to solving Albuquerque’s crime crisis, I am troubled by the underlying sentiment that Democrats like Sen. Maestas have towards public safety.

Democrats in the legislature either wish to totally ignore the public’s outcry to address crime or, in Sen. Maestas’s case, deceive the public into thinking they had passed legislation to address the problem while accomplishing virtually nothing. Both of these strategies result in the lawlessness we experience here in Albuquerque on a daily basis.

Here’s an example: House Bill 8, or this year’s supposedly comprehensive ‘crime package,’ was signed into law with bipartisan support. Clearly, HB 8 had elements that we Republicans could get behind but we primarily supported it based on assurances that, in return, there would be further consideration of true public safety bills. This, however, was not the case. Instead, Democrats killed or refused to consider Republican crime bills and celebrated the success of a ‘bipartisan crime package’ to the media and their voters. As an Albuquerque resident, I assure you that this ‘crime package’ alone will do absolutely nothing to curb the rampant auto and retail theft, juvenile violence, and emboldened repeat offenders that plague our community.

When the Democrat Party is not busy killing Republican public safety bills, they have been fanning the flames of political division by calling on their activists to ‘agitate’ the other side, joking about assassination attempts, or resorting to childish name calling. Enough is enough. New Mexicans are fed up with their failed leadership, reckless behavior, and unwillingness to truly address the criminals terrorizing our state.

We must come together and do what the people have elected us to do. As a state, we cannot continue inaction when it comes to improving public safety. Rest assured, if the Governor calls for a special session, my Republican colleagues and I will be right back at the table with policy proposals to make our communities safer for New Mexico families to live and thrive in. If anyone finds that ‘stupid,’ perhaps they don’t have the maturity the public deserves from an elected lawmaker responsible for improving the lives of all New Mexicans.

Nicole Tobiassen is a New Mexico State Senator representing District 21, Bernalillo County.

By Jodi Hendricks

As the dust settles from the 2025 legislative session, one truth rises above the noise: what’s happening in Santa Fe doesn’t reflect the values of everyday New Mexicans. Our state’s leaders have become increasingly disconnected from the people they were elected to serve, pushing through radical agendas while ignoring the voices of the very communities they claim to represent.

Throughout this session, political ambition took precedence over real representation. Harmful bills like HB27 (Librarian Protection Act), SB552 (Protection of School Library Materials Act), SB258 (Human Sexuality Education), and HB11 (Paid Family and Medical Leave Act) were given priority while many bills protecting women, girls, and children were never heard or were tabled after half a committee hearing. Instead of listening to hardworking New Mexicans, our representatives seemed focused on checking the boxes of a progressive agenda.

The gap between Santa Fe and the rest of New Mexico has never been wider. People across the state are calling for common-sense policies that protect families, parental rights, and community values—but those calls are falling on deaf ears. Too many legislators have abandoned their duty to represent constituents, choosing instead to push forward agendas that don’t align with the heart of our state.

Take HB450, for example—a funding bill that had no major objections until Governor Lujan Grisham requested an eleventh-hour provision to spend $10 million in taxpayer money to build a new abortion clinic in northern New Mexico. It wasn’t just the substance of the bill that was problematic—it was the deceptive, backdoor way it was pushed through. Rushing legislation without transparency betrays the public’s trust and highlights how disconnected our leaders have become.

Another example is HB11, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, which passed the House and one Senate committee before finally being stopped in the Senate Finance Committee. This happened despite statewide opposition from employees and business owners alike. The bill threatened to close businesses and impose heavier tax burdens on both employers and workers. Yet, despite hundreds of thousands of letters, emails, and phone calls from New Mexicans voicing opposition, it was only barely halted at the last moment.

It begs the question—who were the representatives truly representing when they voted to pass HB11, despite having thousands of letters of opposition sitting on their desks?

But here’s what gives me hope: New Mexicans are waking up. This session proved that even when our voices are ignored, we won’t be silenced. Despite relentless attempts to push radical agendas, hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans stood up and spoke out—through emails, phone calls, prayers, and public testimony. While many harmful bills were pushed through, some were ultimately halted because the opposition was too strong to ignore. This shows that when we stand together, our collective voice makes a difference.

But the fight isn’t over. We must channel this momentum into real change by holding our leaders accountable and reminding them that their first duty is to represent the people—not push divisive agendas. Our state deserves better. We need leaders who listen to ALL the people they serve. If we want New Mexico to thrive, we must be the change we want to see—by replacing complacency with courage and political gamesmanship with genuine leadership.

Let’s stand together—stronger, more determined, and more unified than ever before. Let’s continue to pray for our leaders, advocate for our values, and prepare to take action to protect what matters most. Our state deserves leaders who put people over politics. Let’s work together to make that a reality.

It’s time for change. Let’s make it happen.

This was submitted on behalf of the New Mexico Family Action Movement