Former President Donald Trump held a rally in Albuquerque on Thursday, Oct. 31, during which he claimed he has won New Mexico in two elections and will win again. He shared the stage with United States Senate candidate Nella Domenici (R) and New Mexico 2nd Congressional District candidate Yvette Herrell (R).
The rally took place at CSI Aviation near the Albuquerque International Sunport. Event organizers initially faced complications with parking but announced a new plan the day before the rally, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
At the rally, Trump focused on immigration and border security, particularly in New Mexico. He described immigrants who lack permanent legal status as “killers,” “drug addicts,” “drug dealers” and “gang members,” reiterating his recent call for the death penalty for migrants who kill United States citizens.
“One of the biggest reasons we will win this state is that you have among the worst border problems of any state in America, and I am the only one that knows how to fix it,” Trump said. “I already did fix it. Four years ago, you didn't have a problem.”
Immigrants lacking permanent legal status are arrested for committing crimes — including violent crimes — at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens, according to the National Institute of Justice.
Trump also claimed to have won New Mexico in the past two elections.
“We almost won it twice. Let me tell you: I believe we won it twice,” Trump said.
After the rally, Steve Pearce, chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, told the Daily Lobo that Trump did not win nor claim to have won the state twice.
“He said that he came close twice. He didn’t say he won twice,”’ Pearce said. “I was listening, plus I was working with him.”
Trump lost New Mexico in 2020 by about 100,000 votes and in 2016 by about 65,000 votes, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
New Mexico has voted Democratic since 2004, according to 270 to Win, and it is not considered a swing state this election. Political candidates and pundits usually focus on swing states due to their ability to sway voters and secure electoral college victories, according to NPR.
“I'm here for one simple reason,” Trump said. “I like you very much, and it's good for my credentials with the Hispanic or Latino community.”
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Throughout the rally, Trump repeatedly said “Hispanics love Trump.”
A poll conducted by the University of Chicago showed that Trump is getting higher levels of support among young Latino men this year than in 2020. Vice President Kamala Harris is leading Trump among registered Latino voters overall, but the advantage is the lowest it has been in the past four presidential election cycles, according to an NBC poll.
Trump attracts Americans outside of typical Republican audiences, such as younger people, Pearce said.
One first-time rally attendee, Woody Payne, wrote “Kamala” on his hat. He thinks Trump’s visit is unlikely to impact the way New Mexicans vote, he said.
Payne is not a Trump supporter, he said, but he wanted to see Trump with his own eyes.
“I couldn't think of a scarier thing to do on Halloween than go to a Trump rally with a Kamala hat,” Payne said.
A protest organized by the Albuquerque Party for Socialism and Liberation took place near the venue. Protesters marched from the parking area toward CSI Aviation before being blocked by a line of police officers.
After the rally, the Democratic Party of New Mexico described the rally as “unhinged” in a press release.
“Trump did not stop in New Mexico to win our votes, but as a sounding board to espouse divisive rhetoric on his Blue State hate tour,” the press release reads.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“I think that he's not here just to make a stop. He’s got plenty of stops (in) bigger states, but he's here because he thinks he can win New Mexico,” Pearce said. “We'll see. Tuesday will tell a big tale.”
Lily Alexander is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @llilyalexander
Nate Bernard is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @natebernard14
Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
Lily Alexander is the 2024-2025 Editor of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @llilyalexander
