SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state Republican Party on Friday condemned as selfish and disrespectful the conduct of a Democratic state senator in an encounter with state police as the legislator sought help regarding threatening telephone messages.
Republicans made public the body camera video of a visit by several state police officers to the home of Sen. Jacob Candelaria in which the senator raises his voice with police and asks them to leave. One officer hesitated to describe the phone message received by Candelaria as a clear threat.
In a statement, GOP Chairman Steve Pearce called Candelaria’s behavior “childish and self-important.”
Candelaria said he was gripped by fear at the time and has thanked and apologized to the officers for not treating them with the “necessary respect and decorum.”
Candelaria has been critical of the overall police response to his complaint about a series of profanity-laced calls that included homophobic slurs and a threat to “get you out one way or another.” He has said authorities failed the recognize the significance of the threat to himself as an openly gay, Latino legislator in the current political climate and that reforms are needed.
Candelaria says the threatening messages arrived shortly after his appearance on television to criticize as irresponsible demonstrators who gathered without masks outside the state Capitol to urge the governor to reopen the economy.
Candelaria is vying for reelection to his West Albuquerque district against Republican challenger Manuel Lardizabal, who is running a tough-on-crime campaign that highlights his opposition to abortion and support for government austerity.
The statement from the Republican Party on Friday sharply criticizes Candelaria for the way he spoke to police and for invoking his status as a state senator and saying he may call the governor.
“Senator Candeleria’s childish and self-important behavior is unbecoming of the New Mexico Senate,” Pearce said in the statement.
Candelaria accused Republicans of further endangering his family by posting video that includes information about his plans to seek refuge outside Albuquerque with his husband.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.