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A failed candidate for the New Mexico state House described by police as an « election denier » was arrested Monday in a string of shootings at the homes of state and local Democratic leaders.
Republican Solomon Peña is accused of conspiring with and paying four men to carry out shootings at the Albuquerque-area homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two state legislators, Albuquerque police said. No one was hurt in the shootings.
Peña might have been motivated by anger over his loss in November, police said. Police spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said at a news conference early Monday evening that Peña alleged his defeat was the result of election fraud.
Peña lost his state House challenge to incumbent Democrat Miguel P. Garcia by 5,679 to 2,033, or 74% to 26%.
He took his case to three county commissioners and a state senator — some whose homes were targeted in the shootings — to no avail, Gallegos said.
« He had complaints about his election he felt being rigged, » Gallegos said. « As the mayor said, he was an election denier — he doesn’t want to accept the results of his election. »
One of the meetings with local and state leaders became heated, he said.
« One actually led to quite an argument, I believe, » Gallegos said. « It was shortly after that the shootings occurred. »
Peña was a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, who claimed voter fraud in his 2020 election loss, an allegation that is unfounded. He was photographed during his campaign last year wearing a red « Make America Great Again » sweatshirt with a stitched, gold-colored signature of the former president.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller described the attacks as a product of political extremism.
« This radicalism is a threat to our city, our state, and our nation, » he tweeted Monday. « We will continue to push back against hate in all forms and stop political violence. »
Detectives allege Peña paid four men cash and texted them the addresses he wanted targeted, Albuquerque police said.
A key to the investigation, police said, was a traffic stop early Jan.
