Submitted by Barbara V. Hall
In the Santa Fe New Mexican, Senator Craig Brandt criticized Senate District 9 Republican candidate, Audrey Trujillo, with unfounded, defamatory accusations. The purpose? To promote Trujillo’s Republican opponent before the Primary. Trujillo is ahead in the polls and Senator Brandt is scared.
No matter how dirty politics can get, Senator Brandt has no place mud-slinging or throwing stones. Especially since his own actions are not in line with his occupation as Clergy (listed in his New Mexico Legislative profile.)
On October 30, 2023, Senator Brandt’s personal conduct was extremely disrespectful and uncivilized at a meeting of the Republican Party of Sandoval County (RPSC), attended by 40 to 50 people at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Rio Rancho. During the meeting and totally unprovoked, Senator Brandt stood up and yelled “a__hole” at Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block. This outburst was met with shock by all of the attendees, of which many people immediately told Senator Brandt he should leave.
Senator Brandt walked out of the church. But minutes later, he returned for the remainder of the meeting. Unfortunately, this was not his last outburst. As people were leaving, Senator Brandt was standing in the church foyer and had another outburst of profanity directed again at Commissioner Block. This time, it was in the presence of Gospel Light Baptist Church Pastor Brent Lenentine.
Since October 30th, Senator Brandt has not attended any RPSC meetings, nor has he offered an apology to the members regarding his conduct. This incident has not gone unnoticed. Yet, Senator Brandt has made it clear to several RPSC members that he will not apologize.
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Hearing this news, an RPSC member decided to take this to a higher level. On December 26, 2023, an ethics complaint against Senator Brandt was filed with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission (SEC), No. 2023-60. The complaint alleged Brandt’s conduct violated Section 10-16-3 (B) of the Governmental Conduct Act, NMSA 1978: “Legislators and public officers and employees shall conduct themselves in a manner that justifies the confidence placed in them by the people, at all times maintaining the integrity and discharging ethically the high responsibilities of public service.”
Part of the ethics complaint includes making a suggestion to resolve the concern. The remedy proposed to the SEC was simple. Brandt should apologize to RPSC members and also attend Legislator Ethics Training for a much-needed refresher. On February 2, 2024, the case was dismissed by the SEC. The Commission acknowledged, “it is the responsibility of public service that a public official be courteous. The basis of the dismissal indicates that the Commission should not pursue administrative or civil remedies against a Member of the Legislature…based only on speech that the Member made in a public setting. Also, “the Commission has the authority to promulgate a model code of ethics and has done so, the agency does not have the authority to enforce it.” Although the ethics complaint was dismissed, it will forever be on Senator Brandt’s record.
Senator Brandt is up for re-election in November. We must hold elected officials accountable. In turn, they must meet the higher standards for which they serve. We The People are not happy with Senator Brandt’s lack of respect. And, even though the SEC did not find him in violation of the Code of Conduct he swore to uphold, We The People have a different perspective. We will make our voices heard when we cast our ballots.
Barbara V. Hall
Algodones
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Letter to the Editor: Unbecoming Conduct by New Mexico State Senator
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Submitted by Barbara V. Hall
In the Santa Fe New Mexican, Senator Craig Brandt criticized Senate District 9 Republican candidate, Audrey Trujillo, with unfounded, defamatory accusations. The purpose? To promote Trujillo’s Republican opponent before the Primary. Trujillo is ahead in the polls and Senator Brandt is scared.
No matter how dirty politics can get, Senator Brandt has no place mud-slinging or throwing stones. Especially since his own actions are not in line with his occupation as Clergy (listed in his New Mexico Legislative profile.)
On October 30, 2023, Senator Brandt’s personal conduct was extremely disrespectful and uncivilized at a meeting of the Republican Party of Sandoval County (RPSC), attended by 40 to 50 people at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Rio Rancho. During the meeting and totally unprovoked, Senator Brandt stood up and yelled “a__hole” at Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block. This outburst was met with shock by all of the attendees, of which many people immediately told Senator Brandt he should leave.
Senator Brandt walked out of the church. But minutes later, he returned for the remainder of the meeting. Unfortunately, this was not his last outburst. As people were leaving, Senator Brandt was standing in the church foyer and had another outburst of profanity directed again at Commissioner Block. This time, it was in the presence of Gospel Light Baptist Church Pastor Brent Lenentine.
Since October 30th, Senator Brandt has not attended any RPSC meetings, nor has he offered an apology to the members regarding his conduct. This incident has not gone unnoticed. Yet, Senator Brandt has made it clear to several RPSC members that he will not apologize.
Hearing this news, an RPSC member decided to take this to a higher level. On December 26, 2023, an ethics complaint against Senator Brandt was filed with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission (SEC), No. 2023-60. The complaint alleged Brandt’s conduct violated Section 10-16-3 (B) of the Governmental Conduct Act, NMSA 1978: “Legislators and public officers and employees shall conduct themselves in a manner that justifies the confidence placed in them by the people, at all times maintaining the integrity and discharging ethically the high responsibilities of public service.”
Part of the ethics complaint includes making a suggestion to resolve the concern. The remedy proposed to the SEC was simple. Brandt should apologize to RPSC members and also attend Legislator Ethics Training for a much-needed refresher. On February 2, 2024, the case was dismissed by the SEC. The Commission acknowledged, “it is the responsibility of public service that a public official be courteous. The basis of the dismissal indicates that the Commission should not pursue administrative or civil remedies against a Member of the Legislature…based only on speech that the Member made in a public setting. Also, “the Commission has the authority to promulgate a model code of ethics and has done so, the agency does not have the authority to enforce it.” Although the ethics complaint was dismissed, it will forever be on Senator Brandt’s record.
Senator Brandt is up for re-election in November. We must hold elected officials accountable. In turn, they must meet the higher standards for which they serve. We The People are not happy with Senator Brandt’s lack of respect. And, even though the SEC did not find him in violation of the Code of Conduct he swore to uphold, We The People have a different perspective. We will make our voices heard when we cast our ballots.
Barbara V. Hall
Algodones
Related
Help us grow The Signpost.
Share with your neighbors and start a conversation in your social network.