Nella Domenici Criticized as "Queen of Ducking, Dodging, and Diversion" by Santa Fe Columnist

Photo byNella Domenici for Senate

Santa Fe, NM - In a sharply worded column, Santa Fe New Mexican’s Milan Simonich has criticized U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, labeling her the “Queen of Ducking, Dodging, and Diversion” for her inconsistent campaign tactics and recent alignment with former President Donald Trump. The column highlights what Simonich sees as Domenici’s failure to maintain a coherent campaign strategy and her controversial pivot toward supporting Trump.

A Shift from "Vanilla" to "Strawberry Swirl" Campaigning

Simonich describes Domenici’s early campaign approach as “vanilla,” implying a strategy marked by neutrality and avoidance of controversial topics. However, he argues that her recent response to a question about the 2020 presidential election marked a “strawberry swirl” turn, revealing a preference for Trump and potentially damaging her campaign's credibility.

Domenici’s statement that “Of course President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were legitimately elected in 2020, and our country and state are worse off because of it,” is seen as an attempt to align herself with Trump supporters while acknowledging the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Simonich critiques this move, suggesting that Domenici missed an opportunity to give a more strategic, self-serving answer that could have better positioned her against incumbent Senator Martin Heinrich.

The Risks of Aligning with Trump in New Mexico

Linking herself to Trump, according to Simonich, diminishes Domenici's chances of upsetting Heinrich in November. Trump, who lost New Mexico by wide margins in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, is unlikely to bolster Domenici's appeal among the state’s voters. The columnist suggests that Domenici’s campaign strategy may backfire, as she could have maintained a safer, more neutral stance.

A Missed Opportunity for Domenici?

Simonich posits that a candidate with more political savvy could have turned the question about the 2020 election into a strategic opportunity. He proposes that Domenici could have deflected with a simple acknowledgment of the election outcome or pivoted to questioning Senator Heinrich’s commitment to his current role. Instead, by choosing to align herself with Trump, she may have alienated moderate voters and strengthened Heinrich's position.

Broader Political Dynamics in New Mexico: Trump’s Impact

Domenici's campaign challenges come amid broader political shifts in New Mexico. The state has not been friendly to Trump, who lost by 8 percentage points in 2016 and nearly 11 points in 2020. Simonich argues that Trump’s controversial history, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, further diminishes his value as an ally in New Mexico’s political landscape.

Simultaneously, Domenici's alignment with Trump contrasts sharply with other unfolding political events, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s unpredictable shifts between political affiliations and Jon Hill’s passing in a Southern New Mexico legislative district, which led to Sarah Silva being selected as his replacement.

A Critical Moment for Domenici’s Campaign

As Domenici continues her campaign against Heinrich, Simonich’s critique underscores the challenges she faces in appealing to a diverse electorate while navigating the complexities of political endorsements. Her alignment with Trump could prove to be a double-edged sword, potentially rallying Trump's base but alienating undecided and moderate voters crucial for a statewide win.

Heinrich Remains in the Lead

For now, Heinrich appears to be the main beneficiary of Domenici’s controversial stance. The Democratic Party of New Mexico, represented by spokesperson Daniel Garcia, seized on the columnist's critique to reiterate their position that Domenici’s tactics reveal more about her priorities than her prepared statements suggest.

As the election draws nearer, Domenici will need to refine her strategy to gain ground on Heinrich, who has capitalized on his opponent's missteps to bolster his own campaign.

Conclusion: A Difficult Road Ahead for Domenici

With the November election fast approaching, Domenici’s campaign is at a crossroads. Will she continue to embrace Trump’s divisive legacy, or will she pivot to a strategy that can resonate with a broader swath of New Mexico voters? The answers to these questions will shape the remainder of the campaign and could determine whether she stands a chance against Heinrich.