By: Jacob Trujillo, Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

If you’ve felt discouraged, angry, or just worn down by it all, you’re not alone. You deserve better.

But here’s the truth: our response can’t just be outrage. It has to be organization from passion.

Here in Bernalillo County Dems, I believe our job isn’t to be bystanders to national chaos. It’s to build something stronger at home.

Here is what else I believe:

The Democratic Party should never be just a cheer squad for anyone with a “D” next to their name. Our responsibility is bigger than that. We are here to fight for working families, for clean energy, for public safety that protects civil rights, for LGBTQ+ dignity, and for an economy that actually works for people.

That means celebrating real progress — and pushing when progress stalls.

We have a bold, community-centered party platform. We’ve passed resolutions that take clear stands, from opposing dark money in Democratic primaries to rejecting corporate deals that harm New Mexicans. Those aren’t symbolic gestures. They are commitments. And they reflect what you — the members who knock doors, make calls, and power this party — believe in.

This legislative session delivered meaningful wins. But we also saw critical priorities fall short: stronger clean energy reforms that didn’t advance, gun safety measures that stalled, paid family medical leave that remains unfinished business. A win is a win — but unfinished work is still unfinished.

Accountability from Democrats is not disloyalty. It’s strength.

State rules require my neutrality in Democratic primaries, and we will always follow what rules exist. But neutrality in elections does not mean neutrality in values. We can’t endorse candidates in primaries — but we can be crystal clear about what we stand for. We can define our priorities. We can articulate expectations. And we can organize around them.

That’s how we sharpen our voice heading into 2026 and 2028.

Starting now, the Blue Review will feature two new weekly segments. First, we’ll break down sections of our platform and recent resolutions — clearly defining our positions and equipping you to talk about them with neighbors, candidates, and elected officials. Second, we’re opening space for member-submitted opinion pieces. If there’s an issue you believe our party should be addressing more directly, we want to hear from you. Email us at info@bernalillodems.org

Growing our base doesn’t happen by shrinking our convictions. It happens when people know exactly what we stand for.

We fight because our communities deserve better — not just from Washington, but from every level of government. We fight because accountability makes us stronger. And we fight because Bernalillo County Democrats have never been content to sit quietly when our values are on the line.

This moment demands clarity. It demands courage. And it demands organization.

We can and must do better.