New Mexicans deserve to know whether those entrusted with enforcing our election laws are independent public servants or beneficiaries of one of the most powerful political organizations in our state,” said Tara Shaver, leader with Abortion Free New Mexico. “The Secretary of State’s office should inspire confidence—not raise questions about political influence from an industry that has invested more than a million dollars shaping New Mexico elections.”

31 Candidates Financially Backed by Planned Parenthood in 2022

Political Spending, Political Returns

The abortion industry isn’t spending this kind of money out of charity,” said Shaver. “It’s an investment in political power. When politicians receive the support of Planned Parenthood and then consistently advance the organization’s legislative agenda, New Mexicans have every right to ask whether they are representing their constituents or the special interests that helped elect them.”

AFNM Files Ethics Complaint with State Ethics Commission

I filed this complaint directly with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission because the current Secretary of State has publicly endorsed this candidate,” said Shaver. “To protect public confidence in the process, we believe these allegations should be reviewed by an independent body. Regardless of political affiliation, every candidate—especially one seeking to become New Mexico’s chief elections officer—should be held to the same campaign finance disclosure standards.”

Public Trust Requires Transparency

The issue before New Mexicans is larger than one complaint or one candidate,” Shaver said. “When a powerful special interest can spend more than $1.08 million to influence elections and financially support at least 31 candidates, the public must have confidence that campaign finance laws are being faithfully followed and fairly enforced. Transparency isn’t optional—it’s essential to preserving trust in our elections.”

The contrast in this race could not be clearer,” Shaver continued. “One candidate benefited from Planned Parenthood’s political machine, while Ramona Goolsby has stood for election integrity, transparency, and the protection of innocent human life. We encourage New Mexicans to examine the facts, follow the money, and support leaders who will serve the people rather than powerful special interests. The office of Secretary of State should never be influenced by organizations that have invested millions to shape New Mexico’s political landscape.”

ABOUT ABORTION FREE NEW MEXICO

Women Continue to Be Injured

Colorado may perform more abortions because it has nearly three times New Mexico’s population, but New Mexico still holds the nation’s top spot when population is considered,” said Bud Shaver, Executive Director of Abortion Free New Mexico. “The next question is just as disturbing: Which state is leading in abortion-related injuries? Women deserve transparency—not political protection for the abortion industry.”

For decades, New Mexico and Colorado have debated green chile. Sadly, that rivalry is being eclipsed by a race to the top in abortion. No state should aspire to become America’s abortion destination. Real leadership protects both women and their children—not an industry that profits from ending one life while too often putting another at risk.”

A Growing Movement for Constitutional Protection

The abortion industry didn’t become this powerful overnight, and restoring a culture of life won’t happen overnight either,” said Bud Shaver. “But history shows that determined citizens can peacefully change the direction of a state.”

We applaud the remarkable unity taking place in Colorado as pro-life advocates and abortion abolitionists stand together with one goal—to restore legal protections for unborn children through peaceful, constitutional means. Abortion Free New Mexico stands in solidarity with these efforts because every child deserves equal protection under the law. My hope is that New Mexico will one day restore constitutional protections for preborn children. While New Mexico’s Equal Rights Amendment has been interpreted by the courts to protect abortion access, we affirm that the law should recognize the equal worth, dignity, and protection of both mothers and their unborn children.”

Abortion Free New Mexico Calls For:

Source: Guttmacher Institute, Monthly Abortion Provision Study (2025)⁠. 
​New Mexico: 16,150 abortions • 39.4 abortions per 1,000 women (ages 15–44) • #1 abortion rate among the 50 states • Approximately 10,200 out-of-state patients

NEW MEXICO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS THE NATION’S ABORTION CAPITAL

Abortion Free New Mexico Declares a State of Emergency

“Abortion Free New Mexico is declaring a state of emergency. New Mexico has become the nation’s abortion capital. While our state struggles with violent crime, failing schools, child poverty, addiction, and a child welfare system in crisis, state leaders continue making abortion their defining public policy priority. New Mexicans deserve leaders committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and restoring public accountability—not expanding the abortion industry.”

Since 2010, we have warned that New Mexico was becoming the nation’s Late-Term Abortion Capital. Today, the latest Guttmacher estimates show New Mexico has become the nation’s abortion capital. What began as a destination for late-term abortions has evolved into the nation’s highest abortion rate through years of abortion expansion, taxpayer support, and diminished public accountability."

Conflicting Abortion Numbers Demand Answers

Abortion Free New Mexico publicly calls on Governor Lujan Grisham to identify the source of the abortion figures she promoted because New Mexicans deserve transparency,” said Tara Shaver. “The 2025 Guttmacher estimates only reinforce why comprehensive public abortion reporting must be restored. Transparency should never be optional.”

Federal Review Has Become Necessary

Responding to the State of Emergency

Abortion Free New Mexico Calls for Immediate Action

Closing Statement by Tara Shaver

Abortion Free New Mexico believes the evidence demonstrates that the state’s current leadership has abandoned meaningful oversight of the abortion industry. Until New Mexico restores comprehensive reporting, independent inspections, and public accountability, federal authorities should investigate whether interstate abortion practices, taxpayer funding, abortion-related injuries, and applicable federal health and safety requirements are being properly enforced. New Mexicans deserve leaders focused on addressing the real crises facing our state—not continuing to expand an industry that already operates with diminished transparency.”

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