Piñon PAC Launched

Regular readers of this blog know that Piñon Post articles are often cited.

I received an email from them this morning announcing the formation of Piñon PAC (Political Action Committee).

In the email, they wrote:

We are excited to announce that today, the Piñon Post — New Mexico’s largest online conservative news publication — is launching a new independent initiative, the Piñon PAC, to help elect conservative candidates in New Mexico! Our committee, led by our editor and founder, State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), hopes to make a major difference in New Mexico elections by promoting the most conservative, America First candidates for elected office and defeating Radical Leftists. “We realize that our state is not going to move forward without real action, and that’s why we have decided to launch Piñon PAC to help true conservative candidates who have proven to be rock-solid FIGHTERS. From local to federal races, the Piñon PAC will work to promote the true values that are being attacked by the radical leftist Santa Fe machine,” said Rep. Block. Help be a founding donor of the Piñon PAC by chipping in today to our people-powered grassroots movement that will spread across New Mexico!  Everyone who contributes $65 or more today will receive an official Piñon PAC founding member card in the mail and be a certified founding member!

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER →

To stop the Radical Left, we need every single patriot reading this to chip in today in time for the 2024 primary election, which is less than two short months away!  Every single dollar you donate will go toward getting conservatives elected up and down the ballot in New Mexico. Together, we will save our state. Thank you for joining us in reporting on what is going on in New Mexico and taking direct action to elect conservatives who will serve our state well by funding the Piñon PAC! All the best, Your friends at the Piñon Post

Video: Second Amendment Rally In Santa Fe

 

Block Introduces Border Barrier Funding Bill

Source: Press Release

ALAMOGORDO, N.M.—On Friday, New Mexico state Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) announced H.B. 111 to spend $1.5 billion of New Mexico’s surplus revenues on the completion of the border barrier between Mexico and New Mexico. The current amount of unfinished border barrier between them is approximately 50.3 open miles. 

The appropriation follows the current market rate of border barriers, as done in the neighboring state of Texas, at approximately $30 million per mile.

As the border catastrophe continues under the current Joe Biden regime, which has done worse than nothing to stop the flow of illegal substances and immigrants into the country, the need to protect New Mexicans and migrants from deadly drugs, human trafficking, terrorism, and other criminal activity, is now a pandemic.

According to official reports, over seven million illegal immigrants have flooded into the United States under the Biden regime.

As Voice of America reported on January 3, 2024, “U.S. officials processed an estimated 300,000 people at the U.S. border with Mexico in December, which would be the highest number ever recorded, according to multiple news organizations.”

In recent history, New Mexico saw a record-breaking fentanyl drug bust, with one such seizure of over 1 million fentanyl pills, per the FBI.

“With the truly criminal failure of the Joe Biden administration to stop the border crisis, our border state is now forced to do the job of the federal government to protect our citizens. I will not stand idly by and allow my constituents to continue to be saddled with the consequences of Biden’s failures,” said Rep. Block.

“In 2023, I sponsored a memorial to bring awareness to the humanitarian catastrophe on our border, but it was killed by radical Democrats who refused to acknowledge this crisis on our doorstep. There is no better way to spend these excess revenues than by protecting our residents.” continued the representative.

“Now that records are being shattered with the unparalleled numbers of illegal border crossings and tons of fentanyl flowing in, maybe now Democrats will finally begin to act to protect their constituents’ safety from this unprecedented border catastrophe. People continue dying daily due to the Cartel’s caravan of deadly fentanyl and human exploitation. The depravity and inhumanity must end — and I will do everything in my power to make that happen.”

Gov. Lujan Grisham Whines Over "Murderer" Label

The Democrat Party has embraced abortion, sometimes with such glee they are often referred to as the "Party of Death". So when they are called out on their position on it, they scream like gut pigs.

The latest is New Mexico Gov. Michelle "The Groper" Lujan Grisham whining over being called a "murderer" by State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) on Twitter. Well, in her case, "if the shoe fits, wear it" (as in Cinderella).

According to the Piñon Post (of which Block is editor and founder):

State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) recently took to Twitter to characterize Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s comments supporting abortion up-to-birth as the governor being a “murderer.”

Following the tweet, Lujan Grisham’s office played the victim, telling the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Comments like these absolutely have the potential to incite violence, including to the governor, her family and colleagues.”

It is unclear how she equates being called a “murderer” to “inciting violence,” but she is well-known for name-calling of her own. 

She told New Mexico sheriffs who were unhappy with her anti-gun laws that they were “rogue sheriffs” having a “childish pity party,” and she called her political opponents “QAnon lizard people.”

It is obvious that the governor can dish it out but can't take it.

To read the full story, go here. 

Bud Light "Worst Party Ever"

 

Above, Democrats show that they don't know how to hold a beer.

Dean Cain: "Worst party ever."

From Fox News:

Rep. Ted Lieu and his fellow California Democratic leaders posed with bottles of Bud Light to mock conservatives boycotting the company, and the internet roasted them for it.

Lieu posted a photo on Twitter of himself and fellow California Democratic Reps. Mark Takano, Judy Chu, and Adam Schiff drinking bottles of Bud Light, with all of their beer bottles' logos directly facing the camera. 

"None of these people hold a beer like they've ever held a beer before," conservative radio host and Townhall columnist Derek Hunter wrote. 

 "Barf," Rep. John Block, R-N.M., tweeted. "[N]ailing the final nail in the coffin for @budlight trash beer."

 To read more, go here.

 

Rep. John Block Tweets About Democrats In The Legislature

Above, Rep. John Block.

Rep. John Bloc (R), District: 51, Otero County, posted some interesting tweets on Twitter about actions the Democrats took in this year's legislative session and my comments.

Here's two from today:

Why can’t they just be reasonable? Yesterday, Democrats passed a bill to put feminine hygiene products in boys’ public school bathrooms. Why not just in girls’ bathrooms? Because that would make too much sense! They ruined a good idea with nonsensical wokeness. Beyond words.

Given the crime situation in Albuquerque and other areas, maybe they feel that since tampons do come in handy to stop bleeding from bullet wounds, the boys can have access to them for this purpose?

Dems just killed my amendment to protect girls from having men in their locker rooms. Disgusting.

What do you expect from a party that is inhabited by insane people? 

Democrats Pass NM HB9 Gun Bill

 

The bill now goes to the senate.

New Mexico's Legislative Democrat Sh*t Show

Above, New Mexico Second Amendment Sanctuary Counties in green.

The 2023 New Mexico legislative session is really turning into a Democrat sh*t show. So far.

Far left Democrats are passing anti-Second Amendment bills in their controlled committees while tabling Republican-sponsored anti-crime bills without the benefit of hearing the merits or discussion. Those bills would be far more effective in battling crime. But they aren't interested in that, they are only hell-bent on letting felons get off Scott-free, while at the same time, turning responsible gun owners into felons. 

From the Republican Party of New Mexico:

House Republicans put out a statement saying, "The Democrat lawmakers persistently moved to “table” (or blocked) every Republican crime bill, sometimes before any lawmaker or member of the public had a chance to digest the legislation, ask questions, or make comment on the proposed legislation.

Rep. John Block:

Dems just killed a bunch of bills in House Consumer and Public Affairs to stop the crime/fentanyl problem seemingly just because they were sponsored by a Republican. Criminals are laughing at us.

Remember, over half of New Mexico counties have declared themselves a "Sanctuary County" against Democrat sh*t show anti-Second Amendment laws. 

This is a clear example that stupid people should not be allowed to vote. They are trying to turn New Mexico into a one-party state like Commiefornia. 

They are flooding this session with a slew of bad bills. Go here to see how bad things are.

Lunatic voters elected these idiots. 

New Mexico Shooting Sports Association Newsletter

 

One week into the 2023 legislative session, and it's in full swing already. Today in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, HB9 passed on a party-line vote of 4-2.The next stop for the bill is the House Judiciary Committee. We will let you know when the bill is scheduled for that committee. We have two more bills that we are watching. SB171 from Senator Soules would make it a felony to own certain semiautomatic handguns, certain types of ammunition, NFA firearms, and suppressors in New Mexico. While we are used to dealing with a large number of bad bills each session, the severity of the bills introduced has far surpassed anything we have seen before. A Constitutional Carry bill, HB164, was introduced today by Representatives Block, Moya, Duncan, Mason, and Lord. The bill would allow you to carry a concealed firearm without a permit in New Mexico. It has long been our position to support Constitutional Carry, and we thank the sponsors for brining the bill forward. We will send an update whenever the bills we are watching come up for a vote in a committee or the floor. We need everyone to get involved if we are going to stop this deluge of bad legislation.

Red Wave Turned Out To Be A Red Trickle

Above, new Cibola County Magistrate Judge Tony Mace and yours truly. Photo by Nandoh Munoz.

Last night's midterm elections just proved once again that "stupid people should not be allowed to vote." Maybe they just want their "free stuff" and don't care that the country is being destroyed. The question has been raised, "If you wanted to destroy America, what things would you do differently than that the Democrats have been doing?" The likely answer has been, "Probably nothing."

This has to be the What The F*ck? election.

What was expected to be a Republican "red wave" turned out to be a "red trickle", if even that. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham successfully fought off Mark Ronchetti to win reelection. It is a dead heat in the race between Rep. Yvette Herrell and Gabe Vasquez in a gerrymandered district is downright sad. She has been a good member of congress and doesn't deserve this. 

I could go into the national races in other states, but I don't wish to be aggravated. But I'll just say something on two. Arizona, once "Goldwater Country", appears to be a basket case now. I don't think even Barry Goldwater could win there these days. California got what it deserves, it reelected Gov. Gavin Newsom, a total leftist lunatic. Glad I got out of there. We'll likely see the exodus out of Commiefornia increase.

At least John Block won his New Mexico House race. (Congratulations, John!) Cibola County has a new Magistrate Judge, Tony Mace. He won easily as he was unopposed. Although a Democrat, Mace was a good sheriff and will make a good judge. 

The GOP should have done much better. I don't know if people hadn't been paying attention to what's been going on during the past two years or their ideology has totally blinded them to reality. Or maybe they are just happy with chaos. 

One must shake their head over the results and say, "Crazy! Just crazy!" 

For another view on last night, go here.

Piñon Post Recap of Last Night's NM Gubernatorial Debate

Last night's debate between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mark Ronchetti was one fiery debate.

John Block of Piñon Post has posted a good recap of the debate.

He begins it with:

On Wednesday night, Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican nominee Mark Ronchetti met on KOAT 7 for the second gubernatorial debate, moderated by the station’s Doug Fernandez. KOAT’s Kelly Ribando, the Albuquerque Journal’s Dan Boyd, and KKOB radio’s Bob Clark as panelists.

During the fiery debate, the two candidates presented their plans for New Mexico — the current one or a new vision for the state.

While Ronchetti continued speaking about kitchen table issues, such as violent crime, with New Mexico being the second most violent state in the nation, and fixing the stagnant economy, Lujan Grisham couldn’t shake her obsession with talking about abortion.

In her opening statement, she erroneously claimed, “My opponent wants to ban abortion,” despite Ronchetti wanting a constitutional amendment to decide the issue, as he has previously stated. Lujan Grisham continued, “As governor, I promise to protect your privacy protections and to expand access to reproductive health care (abortions) for women and their families.” 

Continuing on abortion, Lujan Grisham reaffirmed that she supports abortion up to birth with absolutely no restrictions whatsoever. 

To read more, go here. 

Here's a video of the debate:

Piñon Post: Ronchetti "Clobbers" Lujan Grisham In Debate

Since I had out-of-state visitors last evening, I was not able to watch last night's debate between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mark Ronchetti live. However, I did watch it after I got home on YouTube (thanks KOB 4 for making it available).

The debate ran the gamut of of issues such as education, crime, economy, job loss, business loss, energy, abortion, immigration/border security, catch & release of criminals, homelessness and other topics. On each topic, Ronchetti presented Lujan Grisham's record of failure effectively.

Lujan Grisham stuck to her talking points and attacked Ronchetti's positions, which he easily deflected and effectively counter-punched. 

John Block at Piñon Post felt Ronchetti "clobbered" Lujan Grisham:

Ronchetti went straight for the jugular in his opening statement, saying, “This governor has been letting out violent criminals.” He said, “If you think the system is broken, she is the head of the system.” 

Regarding education, Ronchetti said, “If you think the education system is broken, this governor is the head of that system.”

“The fact is her 30 years of government experience has her right where we are.”

The debate had a clear winner: Republican Mark Ronchetti, who had a detailed plan on turning the state around while also focusing on kitchen table issues. Lujan Grisham appeared very defensive and hell-bent on swerving many topics to that of abortion while blaming national politics for her failures in office.

Ronchetti did far better in last night's debate against Lujan Grisham than he did during the 2020 senate campaign debate against Ben Ray Lujan. This time, he had an opponent who has a dismal record of failure in office. He was also too nice back then as well. He presented his positions well. That's where his television experience shined through.  

Lujan Grisham feebly attacked Ronchetti for not attending legislative sessions at the Roundhouse. Most of her attacks were feeble.

Another debate between the two will come in two weeks.

To read more, go here.

Democrats Calling John Block An "Insurrectionist"

The so-called U.S. Capitol "riot" that took place on January 6, 2021 that the Democrats are trying to make hay over is being called an "insurrection". 

In case you don't know what "insurrection" means:

a violent uprising against an authority or government.

It was a protest over the fraud-riddled 2020 election that got out of hand. Nothing more, nothing less. Remember also, the Capitol Police ushered in the protesters. There's plenty of eye-witnesses to this and video to back that up.

They are trying to paint any Republican candidate who was marching, that day are being painted as an "insurrectionist" by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. This includes GOP state representative candidate John Block of New Mexico. He was there in Washington that day, but did not even step foot inside the Capitol building.

He found out that he is being tarred by the DLCC's broad brush as an "insurrectionist". He and others in the same situation should sue them.

Block sent me an email that begins with:

Armand,

One of the first things people will tell you if you plan to run for office is that it’s a good idea to google yourself from time to time. Well, I did that recently and this is what I found on the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) website:

Calling me an “insurrectionist,” the Democrats’ top legislative campaign committee in Washington D.C., sent out this press release days after we won the June 7 primary:

“Just this week, insurrectionist John Block won the Republican primary for New Mexico HD-51, joining insurrectionists eyeing elected office in 2022 in states like Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas.”

This desperate rhetoric is the same stuff the Fake News CNN and MSNBC talking heads have been pushing with the sham January 6th Witch Hunt against President Donald Trump. They lie through their teeth and bash law-abiding citizens as “insurrectionists.” They even claimed I’m “normalizing anti-democratic extremism.”

These leftists are parroting the same talking points being thrown out by Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who tried to remove my county’s duly elected commissioners after they stood up against election fraud.

I won’t stand for the lies. This is the real reason they are attacking me: They know I will always stand up for election integrity, and I will expose their corruption while in the Legislature. The D.C. and Santa Fe Swamp Democrats are horrified.

If you're incensed over this kind of dirty politics, be sure to donate to Block's campaign.

To do so click on this image:

 

John Block For NM House District 51

If I lived down in the Alamogordo area of New Mexico where the New Mexico 51st House District is, I would be voting for John Block for State Representative.

He is one tireless person who cares for the people of New Mexico and would be an excellent state representative for the district.

John Block has my enthusiastic endorsement! 

Vote for John Block for State Representative!

To get involved in John's campaign, go to his official campaign website.

Lujan Grisham's "Shady" Campaign Finance Report

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's campaign filed its campaign finance report on April 11. The ethically-challenged governor's campaign report has already raised some eyebrows. 

The Piñon Post has reported some of the more questionable contributions and expenditures, calling the whole report "shady". Indeed, the corrupt political machine bosses of Tammany Hall would be envious.

The article starts off with:

Candidates recently filed their financial disclosures on April 11 for the first reporting period of the year. While many candidates raked in loads of contributions, scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham led the pack by raising over $2.6 million. 

Lujan Grisham is well-known for her lavish spending, such as on hair and makeup and $150,000 in payments to a sexual assault accuser — all being funded by the Governor’s campaign donors. But there were many expenditures in Lujan Grisham’s financial disclosure statement raising eyebrows.

Despite being put on notice for spending thousands on hair and makeup services provided by her daughter, Erin Grisham, Lujan Grisham spent another $400 on these services on February 12, 2022.

Above, Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall would be envious of Gov. MLG.

To read the full article, go here.

Searchlight New Mexico Not So "Nonpartisan"

Above, Searchlight New Mexico's masthead logo.

Yesterday, I received an email from John Block of the Piñon Post on the battle against Critical Race Theory (CRT) in New Mexico.

One part of the email caught my attention.

Here's the passage:

Whether it be battling the racist Critical Race Theory lies or exposing Democrat corruption, the Piñon Post is your trusted source for conservative news and opinion.   Recently, a far-left blog called “Searchlight New Mexico” posted an article that the leftist USA Today network papers in the state picked up called, “Conservatives are fighting educational reforms with a war cry: ‘It’s CRT!’” The post tried to cancel us for our relentless fight against CRT racism, writing, “The right-wing Piñon Post, whose pro-Trump founder was at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, published multiple anti-CRT screeds.”

Like I always say, when the Radical Democrats know they’ve lost an argument, their knee-jerk reaction is to paint us as “insurrectionists,” “racists,” and other types of desperate names.

I have never heard of Searchlight New Mexico until now, so I Googled it and went over to take a look.

In their "About" page, they have the following posted:

Who We Are 

Searchlight New Mexico is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to investigative and public service journalism in the interest of the people of New Mexico. 

Our Mission 

Searchlight New Mexico delivers high-impact investigative reporting to inspire New Mexicans to demand action on systemic problems that plague New Mexico. 

Our Vision 

We believe that great reporting can motivate all New Mexicans to confront racial and economic inequities, government corruption and negligence, and abuses of power.

If Searchlight New Mexico is so "nonpartisan", why are they stating that the "pro-Trump founder was at the Jan. 6 insurrection"? Do they think this negates his stand against the racist Critical Race Theory? It looks like the old "if you have no valid rebuttal argument, attack the source" thing. John Block was in Washington that day and marched, but he didn't go inside the Capitol or was ever arrested. 

"Screeds"? Note how they slipped that one in. Another attack.

Contrary to what the left-wing Democrats are trying to portray the January 6, 2021 matter, it was a protest that got out of hand, not an insurrection. This meme is hilariously so since the Capitol Police ushered protesters into the Capitol.

While preparing their article on the CRT battle, did Searchlight New Mexico even bother to talk to John Block? If not, that's hardly "investigative reporting".

So much for their "non-partisan" bullshit. Perhaps if we do some background checking of their staff, we just might get some interesting revelations.

John Block Running For State Representative 51st District

This morning, I received the following email:

Armand —   From fighting mask mandates and Critical Race Theory being pushed in our schools to punching back against inhumane forced COVID shots, I have stood alongside you every step of the way. And I am excited to share some news with you to continue our fight.   Today, I am announcing my campaign for state representative in New Mexico’s 51st District in Alamogordo — a community I cherish and am proud to call home.   Now more than ever, New Mexicans desperately need PROVEN FIGHTERS in our Legislature who have relentlessly battled for our values every step of the way.   From testifying in committees at the Legislature in support of our Law Enforcers to helping kill extreme Democrat bills, I hope the work we have accomplished together has proven how much I care about our community and our state and how hard I will fight for you at the Roundhouse.

Watch John’s Announcement Video:

Through the publication I founded and continue to run, the Piñon Post, we have shed light on massive public corruption and abuses of power while amplifying conservative voices with true and honest reporting. I can proudly say that we have fought AND WON against Michelle Lujan Grisham (MLG) and the Radical Democrats before. I am ready to win more victories for you at the Roundhouse!

But our current legislator was the lone vote against tax relief for hurting small businesses during MLG’s brutal COVID-19 lockdown, voted to raise our taxes, and was absent or voted against us on key bills regarding domestic terrorism, the economy, and the sacred right to LIFE.

When we needed our representative the most, she was nowhere to be seen. BUT I WAS THERE FIGHTING FOR YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Otero County deserves a stronger voice.   I am a home-grown native New Mexican and I love our community. With my experience as a staffer at the NM House of Representatives, as a small business owner, and with my work fighting to protect babies in the womb, our Second Amendment, and our brave Law Enforcers and Military Service Members, what we’ve accomplished so far to save our state will matter that much more when we send an America-First champion to the Roundhouse.   As I step forward on this journey to help take back our district and to reclaim our New Mexico, I humbly ask for your support and pledge to you today: I will always put the PEOPLE above any special interest group, lobbyist, or political power player. Our conservative district deserves a conservative champion representing it.   As one of this campaign’s first supporters, Armand, your encouragement will start us off for success to supercharge this truly grassroots movement. Here are some first steps you can take to boost our campaign:

Learn more about John

If you live in District 51, sign John’s nominating petition

Follow John on Facebook

Follow John on Gettr

Make an endorsement via social media or the mail: John For New Mexico, 1111 Tenth Street, #402, Alamogordo, NM 88310

I will never waver and I will never let you down, Armand.

ALWAYS fighting for you,

- John Block Piñon Post Founder & Editor America-First Republican Candidate New Mexico House District 51

© 2021 Piñon Post LLC