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newmexico·New Mexicobynocturne

Republican Party of New Mexico members fail to reach quorum to elect new chair

Only about 160 Republicans attended in person or via proxy on Saturday to vote to elect a new state party chair, far short of the quorum needed to select a leader ahead of the November general election.

The seat is currently vacant due to a court order that ousted former Republican Party of New Mexico Chair Amy Barela. She is running to reclaim her old seat against Valencia County Republican Party Chair John Brenna and local conservative radio host Brandon Vogt.

https://sourcenm.com/2026/06/23/republican-party-of-new-mexico-members-fail-to-reach-quorum-to-elect-new-chair/Open linkView original on slrpnk.net
newmexico·New Mexicobynocturne

New Mexico public defenders, experts warn lawmakers of extreme caseloads, understaffing

New Mexico Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur told a panel of state lawmakers Monday that his understaffed office could hit a point at which public defenders cannot take on new criminal cases.

Across the state, the Law Offices of the Public Defender has 190 staff attorneys and a vacancy rate of more than 21%. Speaking before the interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee in downtown Albuquerque, Baur referred back to a landmark 2022 report which found that the state needed more than 600 additional public defenders to ensure his office meets its minimum constitutional requirements.

https://sourcenm.com/2026/06/22/new-mexico-public-defenders-experts-warn-lawmakers-of-extreme-caseloads-understaffing/Open linkView original on slrpnk.net