This is very high on the list of things not to do when your run for office doesn’t turn out well. Solomon Pena is a 39-year-old Republican who ran for office in the New Mexico statehouse. His bid was unsuccessful and police say after he lost he hired several men to fire guns at the homes of local Democrats.
“Pena, an unsuccessful legislative candidate in the 2022 election, is accused of conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of two county commissioners and two state legislators,” Chief Harold Medina said.
APD had been investigating six shootings from Dec. 4 through Jan. 5 where bullets were fired into Democratic elected officials homes or near others offices.
On Dec. 4 eight shots were fired into County Commissioner Adriann Barboa’s Southeast Albuquerque home. On Dec. 11 more than 12 bullets hit County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley’s North Valley home. Sometime in early December, state Rep. Javier Martinez’s home was shot up, although the damage was not found until after the investigation into the other shootings was announced. On Jan. 3, shots rang out at state Rep. Linda Lopez’s home and three bullets went through her daughter’s bedroom as the 10-year-old slept.
What was this idiot trying to do? Kill someone’s child over a campaign for state representative? Pena was arrested by a SWAT team at his condo complex. The Albuquerque Journal got this video of him being put into a police vehicle.
Police apparently have lots of evidence connecting him to the crimes.
Following Peña’s arrest Monday, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina called Peña the “mastermind” behind the shootings. Police believe he orchestrated a December 4, 2022 shooting at Bernalillo County Commissioner Adrian Barboa’s home, followed by a December 8 shooting at New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez’s home…
“The evidence we have is not only firearms, it’s also cell phones and electric records, surveillance video and multiple witnesses inside and outside this conspiracy that have helped us weave together what occurred,” said Kyle Hartsock, deputy commander of Albuquerque Police’s Criminal Investigations Division. “On the last shooting, we now have evidence too that Peña himself went on the shooting and actually pulled the trigger on at least one of the firearms that was used.”
Pena apparently had a rough run for office after his opponent pointed out that he had a record as a crook.
Pena’s candidacy came under scrutiny over the summer when Garcia filed a court challenge to disqualify him because he had been convicted in 2008 of stealing large amounts of goods from several big box retail stores in a reported “smash and grab” scheme.
Pena served nearly seven years in prison.
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District Judge Joshua Allison ruled that a state law barring felons from holding office unless they are pardoned by the governor is unconstitutional so Pena remained on the ballot.
So this guy wasn’t turned into a criminal by the campaign. He was a criminal who ran for office and then reacted badly when he lost. Finally, he was also a Trump fan which will ensure this story gains even more attention. He posted this on his Twitter account last year.
Trump just announced for 2024. I stand with him. I never conceded my HD 14 race. Now researching my options. pic.twitter.com/sKVHhxG9Vq
— Solomon Pena for NM (@SolomonPena2022) November 16, 2022
Also this:
I dissent. I am the MAGA king.
— Solomon Pena for NM (@SolomonPena2022) November 10, 2022
There’s even a tweet about his Jan. 6 trip.
This is one of the last pictures I have of the Jan 06 trip. I lost that phone at the Trump rally in Phoenix, July 2021. Make America Great Again! pic.twitter.com/EJToLrD8md
— Solomon Pena for NM (@SolomonPena2022) November 14, 2022
Here’s a local news report on Pena’s arrest. As you’ll see, after his loss Pena refused to accept the results and claimed there was fraud in the race. Sometimes people really are straight out of central casting. This seems to be one of those times.
