Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press
achedden@elritomedia.com

New Mexico Supreme Court justices batted down arguments that State Rep. Rebecca Dow should be disqualified from running in the June 2 Republican primary.

The high court issued the unanimous ruling Tuesday, April 21, with little explanation after hearing arguments regarding the validity of nominating petitions Dow submitted to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office to qualify for the primary ballot.

Chief Justice Julie Vargas handed down the verdict after an hour-long recess Tuesday morning, following an hour of debate. The decision overturned a lower court ruling ordering Dow’s name removed from the ballot.

Vargas said the Supreme Court’s decision was issued the day of oral arguments due to “the expedience of the case” amid the ongoing election. She said an opinion detailing the court’s reasoning will be forthcoming.

Dow said following the verdict that the case should “concern” all voters as she said Democrats attempted to use a “flawed system” to chose who appears on the ballot and who does not.

“That is not how elections should work,” Dow said. This (verdict) puts the decision back where it belongs, with the voters.”

At issue was the format Dow used in submitting her nominating petitions to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office when filing to run in the primary. To qualify for the ballot, a primary candidate must submit nominating petitions signed by registered voters in the candidate’s district. The number of required signatures varies based on the office and the number of votes cast in the previous election.

Dow is seeking her party’s nomination to run for reelection as state representative in District 38, which includes portions of Dona Ana, Socorro and Sierra counties. No candidate had filed to run for the Democratic nomination as of the March 10 deadline for ballot qualification, according to the secretary of state’s office, but Democrat David Mooney of Radium Springs in Dona Ana County recently announced his intention to run as a write-in candidate.

Dow was first elected to the seat in 2016 and reelected every two years since except in 2022 when she vacated the seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Aside from her seat in the House, where Republicans are outnumbered 44-26, Dow is also chair of the New Mexico Republican House Caucus.

Dow submitted her primary paperwork on the March 10 filing deadline and on March 19 a challenge of the format Dow used for the nominating petitions was filed in Third Judicial District Court by former Democratic Rep. Tara Jaramillo, who held the District 38 seat from 2022 to 2025.

Jaramillo won the seat when Dow opted not to run in 2022 then lost to Dow in 2024. Jaramillo did not file to run in this year’s election.

The district court ruled in favor of Jaramillo’s challenge on April 8, ordering Dow removed from the ballot. Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling reversing that decision resulted from an appeal filed by Dow on April 13.

Jaramillo argued computer screenshots of the 122 voter signatures Dow submitted did not comply with requirements of the state’s election code.

The former representative contended the petitions lacked required information such as the addresses of those who signed, Dow’s home address and what specific office she is seeking.

Attorneys for Dow and Sierra County Clerk Amy Whitehead, who initially validated Dow’s signatures and was the defendant in Jaramillo’s challenge, attempted to paint the controversy as an attempt to circumvent voters and remove a powerful Republican from office.

Required form ‘not used’

Attorney Carter Harrison argued on Dow’s behalf that the New Mexico Election Code allows candidates to gather petition signatures online, print them out from the secretary of state’s website and combine signatures into a single document used in the nomination form.

Justice David Thomson noted that petitions still must conform to statutory requirements as required by state law, regardless of if they are signed online or on paper.

“We can all concede the actual statutory form was not used. It’s screenshots, but not the form,” Thomson said. “It is still required that it be in that form. That was not used.”

Harrison countered that despite the use of screenshots, Dow’s submission made it clear that she had the support of enough voters to earn a place on the ballot.

“The emphasis has always been on the interaction between the voter and the petition,” he said.

A sample of Dow’s signatures was included in her April 13 Supreme Court appeal. The sample lacked addresses for each signer, but Harrison argued the screenshot was pulled directly off the secretary of state’s website.

Harrison said anyone wishing to challenge the signatures could use voter identification numbers included with Dow’s signatures to find the addresses of the signers. He said using the numbers was “superior” as they link to more current information through a database of registered voters.

A voter identification number (VIN) can be used by any member of the public at a county clerk’s office to access signature information, which Harrison contended meant the ability to challenge signatures was not impeded by the form Dow submitted.

“The idea that they did not have the ability to vet a challenge is inaccurate,” Harrison said. “They didn’t want to challenge the signatures; they wanted to have this argument.”

‘You have to have addresses’

Attorney Adren Nance, who represented Sierra County and Whitehead during the hearing, said the county clerk’s only interest in the proceedings was “to ensure 122 voters’ voices are heard in the electoral process.”

He said that the debate over the forms had nothing to do with the validity of the signatures Dow submitted.

Nance also disputed the argument that the form’s lack of Dow’s address or the office she is running for meant her candidacy was invalid. He said the information is already available and verified at the clerk’s office.

“What was filed does allow a challenger to do what a challenger might need to do,” Nance said, contending a complete disqualification of Dow was not the necessary remedy to the problem.

Attorney Damon Ely, representing Jaramillo, argued the election code requires only three things of candidates: their name, address and the office they are seeking.

He said Dow failed to meet those requirements.

“The election code has a balance. The candidate has some requirements that are easy. We want them to be easy. We want people to get on the ballot,” Ely said.

Ely also argued that while an elected official such as Dow could easily access the secretary of state’s voter database and look up specific signers via their VIN, the average person does not, nor can it be taken for granted that they even know the database exists.

That argument described a technical “impediment,” said Justice Thomson, which did nothing, he said, to show the actual signatures were invalid.

“You didn’t challenge a name on there. You must concede these signatures are valid. It just seems like a gotcha,” Thomson said.

“I can’t know that. There’s no way of knowing that,” Ely countered. “You have to have addresses.”

April 4

ACCIDENT

9:47 am – Officer dispatched to 2300 block of W. Ray Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

10:38 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 20th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

STOLEN

11:40 am- Officer dispatched to 1200 block of S. 18th St. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

SUSPICIOUS

1:17 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to a suspicious trespass.

BATTERY

2:08 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to battery.

ALARM

3:54 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of N. 13th St. in reference to a burglary alarm.

WELFARE

3:55 pm – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DOMESTIC

7:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 300 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

LARCENY

8:06 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to larceny.

SUSPICIOUS

8:32 pm – Officer dispatched to Lolita Ct. and Bowman Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

April 5

SHOTS FIRED

12:52 am – Officer dispatched to S. 26th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to shots fired in the area.

FRAUD

8:29 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to fraud.

ALARM

9:05 am – Officer dispatched to 2500 block of W. Main St. in reference to a hold up alarm.

WELFARE

9:20 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of Mahone Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFIT

9:53 am – Officer dispatched to S. 3rd St. and W. Park Ave. in reference to graffiti.

12:47 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to graffiti.

UNWANTED

12:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

ARMED

1:19 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th St. and W. Dallas Ave. in reference to an armed subject.

SUSPICIOUS

1:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 200 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

DOMESTIC

6:16 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 26th St. in reference to physical domestic.

WELFARE

7:22 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 7th St. and W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

9:21 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Yucca Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

SUSPICIOUS

11:52 p m- Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

April 6

Arrest

Fredrick Carlos Molina arrested for failure to appear.

Louis Ortiz III Duran arrested for contempt of court.

DOMESTIC

1:11 am – Officer dispatched to 3100 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

GRAFFITI

8:11 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Missouri in reference to graffiti.

8:14 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Missouri in reference to graffiti.

9:38 am – Officer dispatched to S 20th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to graffiti.

SUSPICIOUS

8:21 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Carper Dr. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

11:07 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

DISTURBANCE

12:58 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

GRAFFITI

1:52 pm – Officer dispatched to 1600 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

3:09 pm- Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

WANTED

4:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference toa wanted subject.

DOMESTIC

4:34 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

DISTURBANCE

6:07 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to disturbance.

FIGHT

7:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of Champ Clark Dr. in reference to a fight.

April 7

Arrest

Johnny Lee Sisk arrested for criminal trespass.

ACCIDENT

12:15 am – Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Kemp Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

2:12 am – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

7:44 am- Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. Roselawn Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

HARASSMENT

8:12 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to harassment.

FRAUD

8:18 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to fraud.

GRAFFITI

9:02 am – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to graffiti.

10:08 am – Officer dispatched to 900 block of N. 13th St. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

10:13 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Menefee Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

10:45 am – Officer dispatched to 400 block of W. Main St. in reference to a suspicious person.

HARASSAMENT

11:54 am – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. Paris St. in reference to harassment.

DOMESTIC

11:54 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to physical domestic.

GRAFITTI

12:05 pm -Officer dispatched to N. 1st St. and W. Main St. in reference to graffiti.

DISTURBANCE

12:23 pm – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of Menefee Ave. in reference to disturbance.

1:27 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Main St. in reference to disturbance.

SUSPICIOUS

2:13 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 10th St. and W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

2:26 pm – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Ray Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

OVERDOSE

4:00 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richardson Ave. in reference to an overdose.

SUSPICIOUS

5:03 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th St. and W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

April 8

Arrest

Rori Calandra Ann Moore arrested for disorderly conduct.

FIGHT

8:13 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to a fight.

DOMESTIC

9:22 am – Officer dispatched to 3100 block of W. Dallas Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

GRAFFITI

10:54 am – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Richardson Ave. in reference to graffiti.

WELFARE

1:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Chisum Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

2:00 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 8th St. and W. Dallas Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

ACCIDENT

4:41 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

DOMESTIC

8:03 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of W. Washington Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

ACCIDENT

8:17 pm – Officer dispatched to 900 block of S. 13th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WELFARE

9:23 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

9:30 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of N. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

BATTERY

10:02 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to battery.

April 9

Arrest

Jordan B Coddington arrested for criminal trespass.

WELFARE

12:45 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. JJ Clarke Dr. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ALARM

3:23 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of N. 1st St. in reference to burglary alarm.

BURGLARY

8:43 am – Officer dispatched to 300 block of N. 1st St. in reference to an auto burglary.

FRAUD

3:00 pm -Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to fraud.

RECKLESS

3:31 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 16th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

WELFARE

3:38 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Merchant Ave. in reference to the welfare of a child.

THREATS

4:19 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Richardson Ave. and S. 1st St. in reference to threats.

RECKLESS

4:30 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 4th ST. and W. Runyan Ave. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

DOMESTIC

7:17 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Alvarado Ave. in reference to verbal domestic.

April 10

Arrest

Sammy Rodriguez JR. arrested for battery, assault against a healthcare personnel, aggravated battery upon a police officer great bodily harm with hands, feet, fists, resisting, evading obstructing an officer.

Jesse Ray Barraza arrested for assault against a household member, criminal damage to property of household member.

Kendra Chantel Davis arrested for municipal failure to pay.

D’Mario Ray Chavarria was arrested for battery against a household member, false imprisonment, interference with communications, destroying, removing.

Jacob Jay Midrid arrested for battery against a household member.

SHOTS FIRED

12:30 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Carper Dr. in reference to shot fired in the area.

SUSPICIOUS

5:14 am – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to a suspicious person.

WELFARE

11:26 am – Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

GRAFFITI

12:55 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 14th St. and W. Bullock Ave. in reference to graffiti.

1:57 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Bush Ave. in reference to graffiti.

2:29 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of W. Bush Ave. in reference to graffiti.

2:32 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 14th St. and W. Bullock Ave. in reference to graffiti.

ACCIDENT

3:28 pm -Officer dispatched to N. 13th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

4:56 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

HARASSMENT

3:50 pm -Officer dispatched to 1800 block of W. Centre Ave. in reference to harassment.

ARMED SUBJECT

7:46 pm – Officer dispatched to 2600 block of W. Main St. in reference to an armed subject.

FIGHT

11:33 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to a fight.

WELFARE

12:17 am -Officer dispatched to 1100 block of W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to the welfare of a child.

April 11

DISTURBANCE

12:25 am -Officer dispatched to 600 block of N. 8th St. in reference to disturbance.

DOMESTIC

8:22 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. Roselawn Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

ACCIDENT

9:22 am – Officer dispatched to Bowman Dr. and W. Richey Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

9:35 am – Officer dispatched to W. Main St. and N. 4th St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

GRAFFITI

10:27 am – Officer dispatched to 2700 block of W. Grand Ave. in reference to graffiti.

SUSPICIOUS

1:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 2900 Browning Ave. in reference to suspicious prowler.

WANTED

1:35 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 1st St. W. Runyan Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

GRAFFITI

3:26 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 12th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to graffiti.

3:39 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 12th St. and W. Missouri Ave. in reference to graffiti.

LOUD

4:36 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock St. in reference to loud music.

INCORRIGIBLE

5:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1400 block of Colt Ave. in reference to incorrigible child.

RECKLESS

7:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 1700 block of S. 26th St. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

WANTED

7:49 pm – Officer dispatched to 100 block of N. Osborn Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

SUSPICIOUS

9:28 pm – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious person.

10:14 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of Carper Dr. in reference to suspicious vehicle.

10:51 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

BATTERY

10:18 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Clayton Ave. in reference to battery.

April 12

OVERDOSE

12:17 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to an overdose.

LOUD

12:24 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to loud music.

SUSPICIOUS

12:42 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

BATTERY

1:13 am – Officer dispatched to 1000 block of N. 15th St. in reference to battery.

DOMESTIC

1:37 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to physical domestic.

WELFARE

2:25 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 13th St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

SUSPICIOUS

4:29 am – Officer dispatched to 600 block of S. 2nd St. in reference to suspicious activity.

6:04 am – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Main St. in reference to suspicious trespass.

GRAFFITI

9:37 am – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Bullock Ave. in reference to graffiti.

10:36 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

10:42 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

11:11 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

11:11 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

11:12 am – Officer dispatched to 700 block of N. 10th St. in reference to graffiti.

STOLEN

3:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Missouri Ave. in reference to a stolen vehicle.

HARASSMENT

6:12 pm – Officer dispatched to 500 block of W. Texas Ave. in reference to harassment.

SUSPICIOUS

9:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1300 block of N. 4th St.  in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

LOUD

11:09 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to loud music.

April 13

Arrest

Kaula Deanna Alvarado arrested for DWI.

Jamie Guadalupe Cordova arrested for municipal failure to appear.

Conrad Michael Hernandez arrested for registration and certificate of title nonrepairable vehicle, driving on roadways laned for traffic, seat belts, aggravated DWI of intoxicating liquor or drugs, resisting evading obstructing an officer.

Joseph R. Jimenez arrested for failure to appear, battery against a household member, resisting, evading, obstructing an officer, concealing identity.

UNATTENDED

12:09 am – Officer dispatched to 1500 block of Zydeco Pl. in reference to an unattended death.

UNWANTED

5:55 am – Officer dispatched to 200 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to an unwanted subject.

GRAFFITI

9:54 am – Officer dispatched to 800 block of W. Champ Clark Dr. in reference to graffiti.

11:20 am – Officer dispatched to S. 11th St. and W. Grand Ave. in reference to graffiti.

LARCENY

2:31 pm – Officer dispatched to 2200 block of W. Main St. in reference to larceny.

WANTED

3:23 pm – Officer dispatched to 700 block of n. 10th St. in reference to a wanted subject.

DWI

3:42 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 8th St. and W. Hank Ave. in reference to a DWI.

SUSPICIOUS

3:53 pm – Officer dispatched to 800 block of S. 1st St. in reference to a suspicious person.

HARASSMENT

4:20 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Richey Ave. in reference to harassment.

ACCIDENT

4:22 pm – Officer dispatched to 1900 block of W. Quay Ave. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

RECKLESS

4:28 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 20th St. and W. Hermosa Dr. in reference to a reckless vehicle.

WELFARE

4:46 pm – Officer dispatched to W. Missouri Ave. and S. 1st St. in reference to the welfare of an adult.

ACCIDENT

5:27 pm – Officer dispatched to N. 10th St. and W. Main St. in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

WANTED

5:42 pm – Officer dispatched to 1200 block of W. Mann Ave. in reference to a wanted subject.

BURGLARY

8:37 pm – Officer dispatched to 80 block of S. 1st St. in reference to an auto burglary.

DWI

11:06 pm – Officer dispatched to S. 1st St. and E. Grand Ave. in reference to a DWI.

Editor’s note: Check back with the Artesia Daily Press online and in print for an update on the verdict and full coverage of the debate in the New Mexico Supreme Court.

New Mexico Rep. Rebecca Dow’s name will appear on the ballot for the June 2 Primary Election, after a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling issued Tuesday, April 21.

The high court issued the unanimous ruling with little explanation amid questions for the validity of Dow’s 122 nominating petition signatures.

Chief Justice Julie Vargas handed down the verdict after an hour-long recess Tuesday morning, following an hour of debate.

Dow’s ability to run for reelection to the New Mexico State House came down to a list of addresses, or lack thereof.

At issue was the format Dow, a Republican, submitted her nominating petition signatures required for her to be added to the ballot in the primary, and their alleged lack of home addresses for each signer.

She would be unopposed to retake her seat in the State House, representing District 38, which covers portions of Dona Ana, Socorro and Sierra counties.

No Democratic candidate has filed to run in that party’s primary election, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State.

After Dow filed for her candidacy on the March 10 signing day, a challenge of the signatures was filed in Third Judicial District Court on March 19 by former Democratic Rep. Tara Jaramillo, who served the District 38 post from 2022 to 2025.

The District Court ruled in favor of Jaramillo, removing Dow from the ballot. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, ordering Dow’s name be returned.

In her appeal of Dow’s candidacy certification, Jaramillo argued the use of screenshots of Dow’s 122 signatures, taken from a computer and filed to verify her candidacy, were insufficient to allow her to run.

Jaramillo contended the petition lacked required information such as the addresses of those who signed in support of the incumbent, Dow’s home address and what specific office she is running for.

Dow was first elected to the seat in 2016 and reelected every two years since except in 2022 when she vacated the seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Jaramillo won the seat that year but then lost to a returning Dow in 2024. Jaramillo did not sign on to run in this year’s election.

Aside from her seat in the House, where Republicans are outnumbered 44-26, Dow is also the chair of the New Mexico Republican House Caucus, a role she was selected for after defeating Jaramillo in the 2024 election.

The Democratic Party also controls the State Senate and Governor’s Office.

During Tuesday’s Supreme Court hearing, attorneys for  Dow and Sierra County Clerk Amy Whitehead, who initially validated Dow’s signatures and is the defendant in Jaramillo’s appeal, attempted to paint the controversy as an attempt to circumvent voters and remove a powerful Republican from office.

Wheeler Cowperthwaite
For the Artesia Daily Press

An employee at Christus Health was charged March 30 with making a bomb threat to her employer in 2024

Margaret Cojo, 42, was already awaiting trial for her alleged role in a bomb scare last year at Ruidoso High School, when police accused her of an earlier call on Aug. 15, 2024 to Christus Health’s finance department located inside Southwest Heritage Bank in Alamogordo.

Cojo of Mescalero made her first appearance on April 13 in Alamogordo Magistrate Court on a single charge of making a bomb scare, filed by Alamogordo Police detective Sgt. Mark Esquero.

Making a bomb scare is a fourth-degree felony with a maximum sentence of 18 months.

Esquero wrote in a statement of probable cause to charge Cojo that the call came into the Christus Health that a bomb was in the hospital’s finance department, which is on the second floor of the Southwest Heritage Bank building. When security officers tried to get more information, the caller hung up.

In a press release, the Alamogordo Police Department wrote that the charges are the result of “an extensive investigation” and that officers followed multiple search warrants to cell phone providers.

Bank evacuated during scare

Police evacuated the building and restricted traffic on nearby roads on the day of the alleged threat, a process that lasted three hours. After searching the building, they found no bomb. Then officers tried to track down the number for the 1 minute and 14-second call, Esquero wrote.

While the caller used a phone application to block caller ID, AT&T could see the number that placed the call. Through a “law enforcement search engine,” the number came back to Cojo. They then realized the number was the same one she allegedly used to make a bomb threat to Ruidoso High School.

Esquero also learned that Cojo had been working at Christus Health in the finance and insurance department, located in the Southwest Heritage Bank building, the same location where the bomb threat was reported. She resigned via email days after the threat and never picked up her personal property from the office, he wrote.

Later, Esquero got records back from AT&T that “verified the account used an application to disguise her cell phone number calling Christus Health at the time of Christus Health receiving the bomb threat call,” he wrote.

Bomb scare at Ruidoso High School

On April 15, 2025, Ruidoso Police Det. Sgt. Seth Carruth charged Cojo with making a bomb scare and tampering with evidence, following the March 4, 2025 bomb threat called into Ruidoso High School.

Carruth wrote in an affidavit for an arrest warrant that they found the number that made the call from Windstream and it came back to Cojo. Officers went to interview her, where she confirmed her number and admitted to making a phone call to the school, but denied making any threats. She also allegedly admitted to deleting her call logs.

Carruth then filed search warrants for call logs to AT&T and presented his evidence to prosecutors, who agreed on the tampering with evidence and making a bomb scare charge, he wrote.

In the 2025 case, Cojo was bound over on charges of making a bomb scare and tampering with evidence on June 23, 2025, following a preliminary hearing. She is awaiting trial.