Influence of Tea Parties in Santa Fe

Jim Harbison

I had the opportunity to participate in the Tea Parties rally prior to the opening session of the New Mexico legislature on Tuesday. It was well organized and well attended. Represented were the nine largest Tea Parties in the State including Las Cruces, East Mountain, Santa Fe (yes even Santa Fe has a Tea Party), Albuquerque, Otero County, Silver City, Lincoln County, Hobbs, and Deming. There were also some smaller grass roots Tea Parties from other areas in the State. As the discontent grows with the disregard for the will of the people, the rise of Tea Party supporters and influence will continue to grow.

Apparently, Democrats still believe in the Nancy Pelosi theory that Tea Parties are only Astroturf and are insignificant. After the 2010 elections it is difficult for me to believe that there are still politicians on both sides of the aisle who discount the impact of the perceived scattered, unorganized, disconnected, and locally independent Tea Parties. They still fail to see the nature and passion of the Tea Party movement – people who are joined together by their passion for a limited and fiscally responsible government. Joseph Cervantes was no friend of the Tea Party and he consistently opposed many of their core principles or conservative positions. Read full column here:

Influence of Tea Parties in Santa Fe