Former GOP Candidate Arrested on Suspicion of Targeting Democrats' Homes
AllSides Summary
A Republican former candidate for New Mexico’s legislature has been arrested on suspicion of organizing recent shootings that targeted the homes of Democratic state leaders.
The Details: Solomon Peña was arrested Monday, and is accused of "conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators," Albuquerque's police chief said during a press conference. He'll face charges related to four shootings that occurred over the previous month at the homes of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa, incoming state House Speaker Javier Martinez, former Bernalillo Commissioner Debbie O’Malley, and state Sen. Linda Lopez. No one was injured in the shootings.
For Context: Incumbent state Rep. Miguel P. Garcia (D) defeated Peña, 73.6% to 26.4, in the November 2022 election, after which Peña reportedly claimed fraud and didn't concede.
Where the Media Differed: Left-rated sources were more likely to point out how police said Peña claimed election fraud after his defeat. Some right-rated sources highlighted the fact that no one was injured.
Where the Media Agreed: Fox News said the shootings "come amid a rise in threats to members of Congress, school board members, election officials and other government workers around the nation." CNN highlighted how claims of election fraud "have stoked anger – and unapologetic threats of violence – against public officials down to the local level."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Failed GOP candidate arrested on suspicion of orchestrating shootings at homes of Democrats in New Mexico, police say
A Republican former candidate for New Mexico’s legislature who police say claimed election fraud after his defeat has been arrested on suspicion of orchestrating recent shootings that damaged homes of Democratic elected leaders in the state, police said.
Solomon Peña, who lost his 2022 run for state House District 14, was arrested Monday by Albuquerque police, accused of paying and conspiring with four men to shoot at the homes of two state legislators and two county commissioners, authorities said.
“It is believed he is the mastermind” behind the shootings that happened in December and...
From the Center
Solomon Peña, Albuquerque Shooting Suspect, 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
Solomon Peña is a former Republican legislative candidate in New Mexico who is accused of conspiring with four other men to shoot at the homes of four Democratic elected officials in Albuquerque, according to Albuquerque police.
“APD has arrested Solomon Peña for the recent shootings at local lawmakers’ homes,” police tweeted on January 16, 2023. “Peña, an unsuccessful legislative candidate in the 2022 election, is accused of conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of 2 county commissioners and 2 state legislators.”
According to a campaign press release, Pena,...
From the Right
New Mexico police arrest failed GOP state House candidate in shootings targeting Dem politicians' homes
An unsuccessful candidate for New Mexico’s House was arrested Monday in connection with a string of shootings targeting Democratic politicians’ homes, Albuquerque police said.
Solomon Pena, 39, is accused of "conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators," Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Media said during a Monday press conference.
Pena lost the November election by more than 3,600 votes to incumbent Democrat Rep. Miguel P. Garcia, who garnered nearly 5,700 votes.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Pena had retained an attorney who could...
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