Amid internal discord, NM Republican Party says no grounds exist to replace GOP chairwoman 

SANTA FE — The Republican Party of New Mexico on Friday said an outside review had shown no grounds for state GOP chairwoman Amy Barela to be replaced, and called on county party leaders around the state to focus on unity — not discord.

But several GOP county chairs said they intend to keep pushing for Barela to step down, citing a state party rule dealing with party officers who face primary election opposition when running for public office.

“The Republican Party stands for rules and the rule of law,” said Beth Dowling, the Sandoval County Republican Party chairwoman.

“The rule is not subject to interpretation — it’s black and white,” she added.

Dowling also said she and other county party leaders have called for a meeting of the Republican state central committee next month to address the issue.

Barela, an Otero County commissioner who was elected state GOP chairwoman in 2024, filed this month to run for reelection to her county commission seat. Another Republican, Jonathan Emery of La Luz, an Otero County Sheriff’s Office deputy, also filed to run in the race.

The situation prompted calls from some Republicans for Barela to step down. It also prompted the state party to seek an outside opinion of its uniform state rules.

The rule in question says: “In the event the state chairman or any other state officer of the Republican State Central Committee files as a candidate for public office and there is another Republican who has filed for the same office, the state officer shall immediately vacate the party office.”

The review conducted by Kay Allison Crews, a professional registered parliamentarian based in Dallas, found the rule only applies when a GOP official files to run for a public office in a race in which another Republican has already filed.

In the case of the Otero County Commission seat, Barela filed her candidacy two minutes before Emery did on March 10, according to Secretary of State’s office data.

Top Republican Party of New Mexico officials and staffers released the parliamentarian’s opinion as part of a Friday letter to state central committee members that said there was “no legitimate basis” to move forward with any effort to replace Barela as party chairwoman.

“Our party cannot afford any more internal distractions when the real fight is ahead of us,” Barela also said in the letter. “I am ready to put this behind us and continue moving the party forward.”

“Let’s turn our focus to where it belongs: Defeating Democrats and winning elections across New Mexico,” she added.

All statewide elected offices in New Mexico are up for election this year, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general and land commissioner. The state’s three congressional districts are also on the ballot, as is the U.S. Senate seat held by incumbent Democrat Ben Ray Luján.

Democrats currently have a stranglehold on all statewide offices and hold majorities in both legislative chambers, though Republicans have made gains in voter registration in recent months. 

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com.