NMFWD News:

SANTA FE — Reacting to the 2026 primary election results, Forward Party Of New Mexico (NMFWD) Chairman Bob Perls said: “First, let me say that I am very proud of the independent voters who turned out to vote for the very first time. I spent 10 years of volunteer time as Founder and President of New Mexico Open Elections working to pass the new semi-open primaries bill. The pundits who point to their low turnout forget that, since statehood, independents have never been allowed to vote in the New Mexico primary.

“Voting is like eating healthy food. You have to be exposed to it, taste it, get used to it, and then finally regularly eat it. I predict in 2028, independent turnout in the primary will match the major party voters.

“Second, congratulations to the winners of the major races. With independent voters soon to be the largest voting bloc in New Mexico, let’s see if the two major parties can speak to the majority of voters who are deeply unhappy with the two-party system—the gridlock, the name-calling, the lack of coalition-building and problem solving that leaves New Mexico and the U.S. languishing, both regionally and globally.

“The Forward Party is the newest party in New Mexico and will announce our final slate of candidates on June 25 when declarations of candidacies are due for minor party and independent candidates.”