A first-term New Mexico state representative is withdrawing from his race for reelection after confrontations last month with Chicago police who responded to reports of a man “running naked in the hallway” of a hotel where legislators were staying during a national conference.
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In social media posts this week, Representative Joseph Hernandez, a Democrat representing Shiprock, Hogback and other mostly Navajo communities in District 4 in the far northwest corner of the state, seemed to acknowledge his role in the incident which was first reported by the Albuquerque Journal. He wrote that he is”seeking professional help to address my challenges with alcohol” and later said that he would withdraw from the race. Subsequent reporting has also indicated that Hernandez may have been intoxicated during another incident at the hotel, but police were not involved.
Leaders of both the Democratic and Republican Parties both weighed in through dueling press releases this week. Following news that Hernandez would withdraw from the election, House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong said, “Representative Hernandez should resign.” Democratic House Speaker Javier Martรญnez said in a statement Monday that he was disappointed in Hernandez and “we also want to make sure that Representative Hernandez gets the help he needs to show up as the best version of himself for his family and community.”
It is not immediately clear if Democrats can name a new candidate this late in the election since state law requires parties to name alternate candidates “ninety or more days before the general election.” Republican Heather Ellison is also running in the district. The general election on November 3 is now less than 75 days away.