FOLLOW THE MONEY: AFNM EXPOSES PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S $1.08 MILLION POLITICAL MACHINE IN NEW MEXICO

AFNM files ethics complaint against Secretary of State candidate Amanda Lopez Askin as investigation reveals Planned Parenthood spent more than $1.08 million influencing New Mexico elections

By Bud Shaver,

​ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Abortion Free New Mexico (AFNM) today released a new investigative analysis revealing that Planned Parenthood’s political committees spent more than $1.08 million to influence New Mexico elections while simultaneously announcing it has filed an ethics complaint against Democratic Secretary of State candidate Amanda Lopez Askin over alleged campaign finance disclosure violations. AFNM says the findings raise serious questions about the abortion industry’s growing political influence and the need for greater transparency in New Mexico elections.  ​

According to AFNM’s analysis, Planned Parenthood’s political committees spent $1,080,122.89 influencing New Mexico elections by financially supporting at least 31 candidates while spending hundreds of thousands of dollars defeating their opponents.  

The analysis comes as AFNM has filed an ethics complaint with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission against Democratic Secretary of State candidate Amanda Lopez Askin, alleging violations of New Mexico’s Campaign Reporting Act and campaign finance disclosure requirements. According to the complaint, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico Coordinated Committee reported $2,291.44 in in-kind contributions to Askin’s campaign--$2,171.30 in mailers and $120.14 in staff time provided on May 26, 2026—while Askin’s Third and Fourth Primary Campaign Finance Reports allegedly failed to disclose those contributions. 

Askin is seeking to become New Mexico’s chief elections officer, responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws, administering elections, and protecting public confidence in the electoral process. Her Republican opponent, Ramona Goolsby, is a strong pro-life candidate who has campaigned on election integrity, transparency, and accountability and has not benefited from Planned Parenthood’s political spending. AFNM encourages voters to carefully examine the stark contrast between the candidates and to follow the money behind New Mexico’s Secretary of State race.  

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

AFNM’s review found Planned Parenthood’s political committees directly financed at least 31 New Mexico candidates, including:

Statewide & County Offices

• Michelle Lujan Grisham (Governor) — $20,000.05 in direct support (Total race spending: $442,078.33, including $422,078.28 opposing Mark Ronchetti.)
• Stephanie Garcia Richard (Commissioner of Public Lands) — $25,000.00
• John Allen (Bernalillo County Sheriff) — $20,000.00 (Total race spending: $191,639.13, including $171,639.13 opposing Pacheco.)

New Mexico House of Representatives

​G. Andres Romero, Javier Martinez, Dayan Hochman-Vigil, Antonio Maestas, Cynthia Borrego, Gail Chasey, Jonell Anyanonu, Meredith Dixon, Christine Trujillo, Eleanor Chavez, Marian Matthews, Pam Herndon, Joy Garrett, Natalie Figueroa, Angelica Rubio, Nathan Small, Joanne Ferrari, Tara Jaramillo, Susan Herrera, Kristina Ortez, Christine Chandler, Kathleen Cates, Andrea Romero, Reena Szczepanski, Matthew McQueen, Willie Madrid, Charlotte Little, and Ambrose Castellano all received financial support from Planned Parenthood political committees, with support ranging from $54.66 to $20,304.08.  ​

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Political Spending, Political Returns

AFNM argues that Planned Parenthood’s unprecedented political investment has coincided with years of legislative victories benefiting the abortion industry, including:

• Repeal of New Mexico’s abortion reporting law.
• Continued taxpayer funding of abortion through Medicaid.
• Expansion of abortion facilities across the state.
• Recruitment of out-of-state abortion providers.
• Policies allowing minors to obtain abortions without parental notification or consent.

According to AFNM’s research, New Mexico has gone from being known as the nation’s late-term abortion capital to becoming the nation’s abortion capital, following unprecedented growth in abortion, out-of-state abortion tourism, and abortion facility expansion.

AFNM’s analysis also found that Planned Parenthood frequently spent significantly more money defeating candidates it opposed than directly supporting its preferred candidates. Independent expenditures opposing candidates often dwarfed the direct support provided to Planned Parenthood-backed campaigns.

Examples include:

• Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham: $20,000.05 in direct support and $422,078.28 opposing Mark Ronchetti.
• John Allen (Bernalillo County Sheriff): $20,000.00 in direct support and $171,639.13 opposing Pacheco.
• Kathleen Cates (HD 44): $7,194.93 in support and $24,098.44 opposing Powdrell-Culbert.
• Pam Herndon (HD 28): $7,603.05 in support and $24,144.60 opposing Chavez.
• Marian Matthews (HD 27): $7,863.67 in support and $23,924.52 opposing Godshall.
• Joy Garrett (HD 29): $14,174.96 in support and $21,929.76 opposing Cunningham.
• Natalie Figueroa (HD 30): $13,975.79 in support and $21,914.96 opposing Johnson.
• Meredith Dixon (HD 20): $7,930.25 in support and $21,840.36 opposing Salazar.
• Charlotte Little (HD 68): $8,348.38 in support and $19,568.68 opposing Moss.
• Nathan Small (HD 36): $6,222.28 in support and $18,907.88 opposing Skaggs.
• Tara Jaramillo (HD 38): $20,304.08 in support and $13,301.84 opposing Hammack.
• Willie Madrid (HD 53): $9,504.60 in support and $12,726.28 opposing Winterrowd.  ​​

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

The complaint against Democratic Secretary of State candidate Amanda Lopez Askin requests a full investigation, findings of violations if warranted, amended campaign finance reports accurately disclosing the alleged in-kind contributions, any appropriate civil penalties authorized by law, and any additional relief the Commission determines is appropriate to ensure transparency and accountability in New Mexico elections. 

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.”

Tara Shaver continued,

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.”

Disclaimer: This communication is published by Abortion Free New Mexico for educational and informational purposes. It is not authorized by, or paid for by any candidate, campaign or candidate committee.

ABOUT ABORTION FREE NEW MEXICO

Abortion Free New Mexico works to end abortion through investigative research, public exposure, accountability efforts, and direct outreach to women and families. Through sidewalk outreach, pregnancy assistance, and educational initiatives, the organization seeks to build a culture where every preborn child is valued and protected.