NM lawmakers' addresses removed from website as precaution amid security concerns

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature has removed lawmakers’ home addresses from the legislative website, following the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers at their homes last month.

The decision to do so was made “in an abundance of caution” by the Legislature’s administrative arm, the Legislative Council Service, in consultation with top-ranking Democratic lawmakers, said LCS Director Shawna Casebier.

She said legislators are encouraged to use a post office box or nonresidential mailing address for posting to the legislative website, while describing the question of whether home addresses will be returned to the public website as an “ongoing discussion.”

Other states have taken similar steps since the June shootings in Minnesota, in which state Rep. Melissa Hartman and her husband were killed. Another Democratic legislator, state Sen. John Hoffman, was also shot in his home but survived.

New Mexico lawmakers have grappled with security concerns even before the Minnesota assassination, including after a string of drive-by shootings targeting Democratic elected officials’ homes took place following the 2022 general election.

No one was injured in those shootings, but Solomon Peña, a former Republican state House candidate, was convicted in March of all counts he was charged with in connection with the shootings. He faces a mandatory 60 years in prison when sentenced next month.

After those shootings, legislators’ addresses were removed from the legislative website but some were later reposted at the request of individual lawmakers, Casebier said.

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said she and House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, were in quick agreement on the decision to remove lawmakers’ addresses from the website after last month’s shootings in Minnesota.

She also said Senate Democrats recently held a caucus meeting on security issues, during which legislators were urged to look into home security technology and were provided with additional information.

“It’s just sort of basic security precautions that we’re trying to think about,” Stewart told the Journal. “We have to pay attention and we’re doing it.”

But she also acknowledged that political violence targeting elected officials has already discouraged some potential candidates from running. She also said it could prompt some legislators to step down.

“It’s a scary time we live in,” Stewart said Wednesday. “We’re trying to allay those fears and keep people safe.”

The recent actions come after previous steps to address security concerns.

In 2021, top-ranking New Mexico lawmakers voted to ban guns and other weapons from the Roundhouse, with certain limited exceptions. That vote led to metal detectors being installed at the public entrances to the building.

Meanwhile, a 2023 elections bill included a provision that allows elected officials in New Mexico to keep their home addresses confidential in certain mandatory filings with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Stewart said the security-motivated policies would not make the Legislature less transparent, citing the webcasting of all interim committee hearings and other initiatives.

Many legislators also have the names and phone numbers of their district legislative assistants posted on the Legislature’s website.

“We don’t intend to lock the public out of anything,” said Stewart.