Failed NM Political Candidate Paid For Shootings At Lawmakers’ Homes, Police Say

Police have found that a failed New Mexico politician paid men to set fire to the homes of other legislators after he lost his 2022 campaign.

Solomon Peña, who ran for the state House as a Republican, was arrested on Monday in connection with a string of shootings that the Albuquerque Police Department said targeted the homes of various Democratic lawmakers, according to the Alburquerque Journal. The victims included two county commissioners, and two state lawmakers. All were Democrats. No one was hurt.

“Peña, an unsuccessful legislative candidate in the 2022 election, is accused of conspiring with, and paying four other men to shoot at the homes of 2 county commissioners and 2 state legislators,” Harold Medina, Chief of Police.

Police said five people were involved in the string of shootings, at least two of which were allegedly committed by others and one of which was allegedly committed by Peña. Part of his alleged involvement in the shootings was deciphered using cell phone records.

Peña has been relatively quiet since he failed to win the 14th district, which has historically been Democratic but was recently redrawn. His last tweet came from his campaign account on November 15. It stated that he was “researching my options.”

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Peña has been in trouble with the law before, having served nearly 7 years in prison for theft beginning in 2008. His conviction was scrutinized during the campaign. His political opponent, Rep. Miguel P. Garcia tried to disqualify him over it but failed. Garcia was elected by 3,600 votes.

Peña disputed the election results, and according to the Associated PressThe results prompted him to confront some state and county lawmakers. The conversations didn’t go anywhere, and the shootings started in the following weeks.