Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a New Mexico Democrat representing the state's 2nd Congressional District, is facing renewed criticism from Republican opponents after social media posts from 2020 resurfaced in which he called for "deconstructing" systems including law enforcement. The posts, made during his tenure on the Las Cruces City Council, emerged as both parties intensify their focus on competitive House seats ahead of November elections.
Vasquez, who has described himself as a "bipartisan player," voted last week against a House resolution expressing support for law enforcement officers and condemning "defund the police" rhetoric. The New Mexico district he represents is considered highly competitive, with Republicans targeting it as part of their effort to maintain control of the chamber.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters of Vasquez point to his recent actions to fund local law enforcement as evidence of his commitment to public safety. A campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "If you want to know where Vasquez stands on public safety, look at the receipts." The spokesperson noted that Vasquez secured $1.8 million for local police departments in the current year alone, including funding for technology upgrades, station facilities, and equipment for officers.
In an opinion piece published this week in the Las Cruces Sun News, Vasquez wrote that police officers "deserve thanks, support and funding" and emphasized his work to secure resources for agencies including the Carlsbad Police Department, Albuquerque's Real Time Crime Center, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. The campaign also highlighted a speech Vasquez delivered on the House floor honoring Doña Ana County Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman, who was killed in the line of duty in 2025.
Democrats argued that the resolution Vasquez voted against was overly partisan and politicized. They contend that supporting law enforcement funding while maintaining positions on broader criminal justice reform are not mutually exclusive positions.
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have seized on the resurfaced posts as evidence of hypocrisy. In a statement to Fox News Digital, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman said, "Defund the police Gabe Vasquez's shameless hypocrisy isn't fooling anyone." The committee has made competitive House seats like NM-2 central to its midterm strategy.
Greg Cunningham, Vasquez's Republican challenger and a 20-year veteran of New Mexico law enforcement, called Vasquez "firmly anti-law enforcement" in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. "New Mexicans know Vasquez is firmly anti-law enforcement, which is why they'll elect long-time Albuquerque Police Officer Greg Cunningham to replace him this fall," Richardson said.
The Republican campaign points to the 2020 posts as evidence of Vasquez's true positions on policing. The June 1, 2020 post stated, "Until we deconstruct and rebuild the systems of oppression that keep black people in perpetual harm, justice will not be served" and identified law enforcement among institutions requiring change.
What the Numbers Show
The NM-2 district has been a focal point for both parties. Republicans need to gain only a small number of seats to maintain their House majority, making competitive districts like Vasquez's disproportionately important to each party's electoral strategy. The seat was won by Vasquez in 2024 and is considered one of the most competitive congressional races in the country heading into November.
The $1.8 million in law enforcement funding cited by Vasquez's campaign includes a $250,000 allocation for Carlsbad Police Department facilities, $1.06 million for Albuquerque's Real Time Crime Center, and $500,000 for technology and training at the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office. These figures represent new investments secured during his current term in Congress.
The 2020 social media posts were made on June 1, approximately one week after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, a period that saw widespread protests and national debate over policing practices.
The Bottom Line
The controversy highlights the challenges facing candidates in competitive districts who must navigate politically diverse constituencies. Vasquez's voting record shows he has supported law enforcement funding while his critics point to earlier statements as indicative of his core positions. With control of Congress potentially hinging on a handful of seats, both parties are likely to continue highlighting candidates' past statements and votes as the election approaches. Voters in NM-2 will ultimately decide whether Vasquez's recent advocacy for police resources outweighs concerns about his 2020 comments in their assessment of his candidacy.