DPBC Inaugural Spring Gala – 5/2/2026
The WSD was touted at the DPBC Spring Gala. West Side Dems and chair Dorothy Wilkiinson got a big shout out from Democratic Party of Bernalillo County (DPBC) chair Jacob Trujillo at the DPBC First Spring Gala last Saturday. We were singled out for the good work we are doing to organize the West Side for the primary and general elections. Several active WSD members attended along with Dorothy: Mark Finley, Elia Martinez, Sam and Sue Wolinsky, Nancy Wesemann, and Mary Yuhaus; as well as several elected officials.
Submit your event info and high-resolution graphics to us by 8 pm Sunday each week. We welcome your comments and questions anytime. info@westsidedems.org
Gearing Up for the Primary Election
Candidates are in full swing campaigning for their spot on the November ballot. Yes, the Primary Election determines which candidates we can vote for in November. There is lots going on!
- West Side Dems will host a Candidates Forum on Saturday afternoon, May 16, focusing on West Side races and county races where Democratic incumbents are being challenged in the primary.
- Keep the conversation going right after the meeting. WSD will have a Pizza & Politics social gathering at a nearby restaurant. Great chance to have an early dinner with WSD friends. Details in graphic below.
- Watch the prerecorded debate between the top two NM gubernatorial candidates – tonight – on NM PBS. Learn more about it in Legislator & Candidate Events, below.
- Voting began on Tuesday, May 5 for the June 2 Primary Election. See NM Primary Info, below, for more information.
West Side Dem News
Join WSD friends for PIZZA & POLITICS right after the meeting. We’ll end the meeting at 2:30, then drive a short distance north on Coors to Sal’s Ristorante & Pizza. WSD will buy the first three pizzas to get the party started!!”
Join the WSD Brunch Bunch on Monday, May 25 at Weck’s in Riverside Plaza (6311 Riverside Plaza Lane NW) at 10:30 AM.
or go HERE to join or renew your membership online.
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Proposed PNM/Blackstone Merger—Upcoming Opportunities for Comment
- Thursday, May 7, 10 AM – Capitol Building, Santa Fe, Room 309
- Thursday, May 21 – 10 AM – 4100 Osuna Rd NE, ABQ
To participate online or by phone, register for a Zoom link by emailing public.comment@prc.nm.gov or calling 505-490-7910 before 5 PM on the day before.
Ratepayer Rebellion Rocked!
Excellent news coverage is rolling in from the Ratepayer Rebellion on Thursday, April 30, with stories published in the Santa Fe New Mexican, SourceNM, and the Albuquerque Journal. Thank you to everyone who showed up—more than 100 people gathered, creating a visible presence that prompted PNM to close its building and shift employees to remote work for the day. (From Indivisible ABQ)
Weekly Rally in Torrance County every Saturday
Weekly protest in Moriarty to protest ICE detention facility in Torrance County. Saturdays, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, at Moriarty City Park (East Side), corner Route 66 and Highway 41 (less an an hour drive east of ABQ). More info here.
Weekly gathering Friday mornings to make creative postcards for newly registered voters. Use the QR code at left and sign-up for location, updates and reminders.
NM ACLU – Protect Yourself When Protesting – Know Your Rights when ICE comes to call or when protesting. HERE is a list of ways to protect yourself, as discussed at the WSD April meeting.
Click on NMVote.org to find:
- Where to register to vote
- My registration & Election Info
- Voting locations
- Request an absentee ballot
- Voting dates
Key Dates to Know
When to vote, where to vote
- May 5 Early voting started at County Clerk Offices
- May 5 was the deadline for voter registration by mail, by voter registration agent, and online. (Note: in-person, same-day voter registration is available throughout early voting and on election day.)
- May 16 More early voting sites open
- May 19 Last day to request mail-in vote ballot
- May 30 Early voting ends at all locations
- June 2 Election Day – polls open 7 am – 7 pm
- June 2 All mailed ballots must be returned by 7 pm
NM PRIMARY ELECTION INFO
This section of our weekly newsletter provides information about our upcoming June 2 primary election. Two key voting dates occur next Tuesday: early voting starts and it is the deadline for not-in-person voter registration. See details below.
NEW! NM Semi-Open Primaries are Making History
Learn why and how this affects all voters.
(This is one article in a series of articles that explains the significance and history of this landmark voting initiative that will occur at this June 2 primary election.)
The June 2 NM Primary will be the first time NM voters will be voting in a semi-open primary. This opens the primary election process to previously disenfranchised voters.
Check Out New Video
NM Voters First has created a new 30-second video that explains our new primary voting process. Watch it! Share it here with friends! Learn more at their website here.
This graphic explains the new semi-open primary process in New Mexico. Click here to see who is running for which office. After you understand it, please share this information with other voters.
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Keep Up the Momentum
After No Kings Day – Actions you can take (join local advocacy groups, run for office, join the Economic Boycott, become a voter registrar or poll watcher, contribute to Mutual Aid in ABQ. Also listen to Stacey Abrams’ inspiring 10-step plan of action to retake our democracy (from her speech at the ABQ No Kings Protest III).
Meet & Greet to support the re-election of Damian Lara May 23
Click here to read Damian’s Op Ed in the ABQ Journal.
Ongoing Protests
Local Resources
Democratic Party of NM – Participate in the DPNM No Talk without Action volunteer teams.
Print your own NO ICE HERE sign – No ICE Access.pdf (Google Drive) (Courtesy of Indivisible ABQ)
Weekly Demonstrations
Saturdays | 11am – 12pm
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo
Saturdays | 10am – 11:30am
RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Rio Rancho | Corner of U.S. 550 & NM 528
Info and RSVP here →
Saturdays | 2pm – 3pm
FREE MARTIAL ARTS SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
(for LGBTQ+ adults and allies)
Albuquerque | Morningside Park
Info and RSVP here →
Sundays | 10:30am – 11:30am
SOLIDARITY SUNDAY
Tijeras | East Mountain Public Library
IRAN WAR LIVE UPDATES
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress: No illegal war with Iran.
News from Candidates / Calls to Action
New Sound System Arrives
At last—we have our new sound system.
We’ve been hearing about it for about a year – the limitations of the undersized current system, Executive Committee approval of an initial $1,000 to pay for a new one, the early attempts of small-change fundraising, updated needs analysis and cost, more serious fundraising, and some major donations.
“I’m thrilled we have the new sound system,” said Paul Evans, WSD volunteer A/V coordinator who did the needs analysis for the new system. “It will help WSD to continue our fight for our values on the West Side of town – at venues large and small. For small events, we can use the small speaker we already had. For big events, we can use the new, larger speakers.” He also recommended that WSD buy a cart to haul the system and bags to protect the speakers.
It all adds up to $2392.45 with two large speakers and two beefy microphones that will incorporate some components of our old system. Here’s how we paid for it:
- We budgeted $1,000 from our budget.
- We collected $1,100 from the DPBC and some area legislators, and we have $300 promised from area legislators. We will collect the remainder now that the 2026 Legislative Session has ended.
Audio/Visual Volunteers Needed Now
Paul Evans with the new sound system.
“Now that we have a larger sound system, we need help to run it... We also need someone to help me with the visual side by editing video footage,” Evans explained.
Contact Paul Evans at info@westsidedem.org to apply. Your “pay” is our gratitude and helping elect candidates who reflect our values!
Audio Technician
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot sound equipment.
- Handle and transport heavy equipment.
- Team player supporting WSD’s mission.
Video Technician
- Edit short-form video for social media.
- Collaborate on footage needs and deadlines.
- Support WSD's digital messaging goals.
Paul Evans — Our A/V Mastermind
How did WSD lure an A/V expert with 40 years of experience?
The answer is simple: Recruit an expert who aligns with your values.
“I feel our democracy is at stake. Each of us needs to step up. We hold the keys. If we don’t do it, nobody will.”
5 Things About Paul Evans
- Roots: Raised in St. Paul, MN. He is deeply concerned about civil rights and believes we must protect our community locally.
- NM Journey: Came to NM in 1984. Amassed ~40 years in professional TV news and government videography.
- History Maker: Covered state government under four governors and visits from the Dalai Lama and various Presidents.
- Producer: Produced "Wild New Mexico" and the popular "Dance! Dance! Dance!" teen program.
- At the Meeting: See him behind the camera at WSD meetings and be sure to thank him for all he does!
Our Mission
To Serve the 88,000 Democrats
Living on the West Side
Democrats Care!
We encourage and support candidates who will work for the good of everyone in our community. We believe in a government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”…not just for corporations, Wall Street, or the rich.
United By A Common Goal…
Social justice and human rights are more important than corporate profits. We seek to improve the quality of life for all of our residents through grass-roots support of candidates who listen and work to implement liberal programs and legislation.
Get Involved…
Your candidates can’t win without your help. Canvassing, phone banking, word-of-mouth, volunteering, and donating are all ways to work together to achieve our common goals.