Pushback Network

“Democracy doesn’t end on Election Day. It’s best to invest resources into local groups that are doing the work before, during and after the election season.” – Robby Rodriguez, SouthWest Organizing Project

New Mexico’s population of 2 million residents is composed of a majority of people of color; the state is also home to the third highest poverty rate and a twenty-five percent child poverty rate. NM spends 5.7 times more per prisoner than per student and has the highest rate of uninsured children in the country.

Despite these oppressive realities there exists incredible hope for change. New Mexico has passed some of the most progressive legislation with regard to immigration reform, including laws to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses, the children of undocumented immigrants to receive in state tuition and lottery scholarships at institutions of higher education and laws limiting local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws. Education spending consistently ranks number one in priority and recently the state legislature voted to expand all day kindergarten and preschool. Governor Richardson, a former candidate for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination signed an Executive Order on Environmental Justice and has been a strong supporter among western governors for the use of renewable energy and increasing the minimum wage. Our courts for a number of years have been viewed as progressive/liberal when it comes to protecting civil liberties and in defining the public welfare.

New Mexico also continues to be a swing state for federal elections with close electoral margins. For instance, in 2000 Presidential contest, Al Gore beat George W. Bush by 366 votes and in 2004 George W. Bush beat John Kerry by 5,988 votes. Also, the first congressional district has for the past four election cycles been targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as a potential pick up, drawing lots of attention to the state.

New Mexico Anchor Organizations

South West Organizing Project (SWOP)

SWOP is a statewide multi-racial, multi-issue, community based membership organization working for progressive solutions. Since 1980 we have worked to make it possible for thousands of New Mexicans to have a place and voice in social, economic and environmental decisions that affect our lives. SWOP works to empower our communities to realize racial and gender equality and social and economic justice.

Learn more about SWOP on their website.
Follow SWOP on their blog.

Sage Council (SAGE)

SAGE Council is an Indigenous and people of color-led organization using community organizing to build power through action, education, leadership development and political participation. Our commitment to social change and self-determination is based in spirituality that honors Mother Earth and all peoples.

Learn more about SAGE on their website.

New Mexico Participating Organization

New Mexico Youth Organized (formerly the New Mexico League of Young Voters)

New Mexico Youth Organized vision is a movement in which young people realize and wield their power. By fostering a spirit of volunteerism, a culture of respect and an environment of constant learning, young people will claim their place in the political process. Together, we will work to improve the lives of all New Mexicans by fostering new leadership, protecting the rights of working class people and exercising our power through the political process. By holding our public structures to account to the community, young people are working together to protect the planet for our children. Politics by the people, for the people.

What’s going on in New Mexico

Education; ethics; environment; electoral and campaign finance reform; health care; sustainable energy policy; protection of sacred sites; Native rights; climate change; youth rights; fair minimum wage; and progressive tax reform.