New Mexico Lawmakers' Ethics, Legislator Pay, and Abortion Laws Debated

Readers weigh in on issues ranging from government conduct to gun violence and wildlife protection

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:34am

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Readers express concerns about New Mexico lawmakers' ethics, a proposed constitutional amendment to increase legislator pay, new abortion reporting laws, gun policy, and the management of wolves in the state. The letters touch on a range of political and social issues facing New Mexico.

Why it matters

These letters highlight ongoing debates and controversies around the conduct of elected officials, the role of the legislature, access to healthcare, public safety, and environmental protection in New Mexico. They reflect the diverse perspectives of residents on these important issues.

The details

The letters cover several key topics. One writer criticizes two state senators for failing to recuse themselves from legislation related to their law firms' medical malpractice practices, calling it unethical and self-serving. Another reader urges a 'no' vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to raise legislator pay, arguing the legislature has not earned such an increase. A doctor weighs in on how recent changes to abortion access, gun laws, and vaccine policies are impacting public health in the state. Finally, a reader disputes claims made by the head of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association about wolf predation, arguing the group's self-interest is clouding the scientific facts.

  • The letters were published on March 15, 2026.

The players

Joseph Cervantes

A state senator in New Mexico.

Katy Duhigg

A state senator in New Mexico.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Tom Paterson

The president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association.

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What they’re saying

“It is my understanding that a significant part of their law firms' practice consists of representing plaintiffs with medical malpractice claims. Therefore, their failure to recuse has the appearance of corrupt, self-serving behavior and, at the very least, it has a very negative affect on their professionalism and credibility.”

— Nicholas Gentry, Retired trial lawyer (abqjournal.com)

“Protecting the unborn does not necessarily translate into protecting the living. Unlike other civilized nations, the U.S. has relaxed gun rights. New Mexicans had an opportunity to impact the gun violence epidemic with Senate Bill 17. America puts up with a level of mass shootings unheard of in advanced cultures.”

— Dr. Bob Larsen (abqjournal.com)

“When government stops counting something, it might be because the matter is trivial. Not this time. It is because the totals are inconvenient. If abortion is legal in New Mexico, at least we should own the decision 'we' have made. Stand up and defend it openly. But don't try to pretend that eliminating reporting somehow reduces the moral weight of what is being done. It doesn't.”

— Dan Domme (abqjournal.com)

“According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, domestic dogs kill more livestock than any other carnivore besides coyotes. Rural people tend to allow their dogs to roam freely and as a result, they form packs. Wolves only account 0.02% of livestock kills, according to Outdoor Life.”

— Chris Neef (abqjournal.com)

What’s next

The New Mexico legislature will likely continue to debate issues around ethics, lawmaker compensation, abortion access, gun laws, and wildlife management in the coming months and years.

The takeaway

These letters highlight the deep political and social divides in New Mexico, with residents holding strong and differing views on a range of contentious issues facing the state. Addressing these challenges will require lawmakers to balance diverse constituent interests and make decisions based on facts and scientific evidence rather than ideology or self-interest.