A response to the movements of Emerge New Mexico (ENM)

By Leanna Derrick

© Copyright 2024 For use by permission – Date:  January 12, 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to provide one conservative’s assessment of Emerge New Mexico’s mission, vision, and goals, and to provide a response to their progressive program’s future path and direction for New Mexico.

Through examination, we specifically address an appropriate counter move that will be the foundation for a conservative leadership program.

Defining the Problem

The following is an excerpt from the previous article, “What is Wrong with Emerge New Mexico,”? We define the problem and agree that Emerge New Mexico (ENM)  is a state affiliate of Emerge America.  ENM is a progressive candidate training program with movements towards socialism.  Emerge is a 527 political organization. They require all program participants to be registered members of the Democratic Party and to read and sign the Democratic Party platform[1].

The primary problem is that ENM is comprised of several components that are committed to make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a priority in all aspects of the program.  The principles of DEI produced the philosophy for critical race theory (CRT).  DEI is an experiment and not a science.  It is a form of discrimination and a mask for progressivism.  A progressive group originally aspires to equal outcomes, but it devolves into a centrally controlled group dictating the rules of organization for what is best for all.  The result is a dictatorial control or suppression of individual rights and represses freedom of individual thought.  This ultimately results in a diminishment of individual liberties.

Moreover, DEI has its roots in Marxism which opposes equality and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Marxism is an economic philosophy that conflicts with the Capitalism economy which is defined by having a free market enterprise.  Marxism opposes capitalism in favor of socialism and communism. A Socialist system is where the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.

The second problem is their progressive view of equal outcome is rooted in the concept of social justice.  Social justice has these commonalities:  equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment.  However, when these equalities are directed by DEI ideologies through a progressive group it promotes discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.  This result does NOT treat people as individuals but pigeonholes people into membership of a group or race.  Their candidate training program indoctrinates recruits to believe that discrimination is acceptable and a right behavior for certain groups in certain circumstances.   DEI ideology and CRT is wrong thinking because it produces biased behaviors and actions.

For example, their YouTube video produced by Emerge America.org[2] video is propaganda that clearly states that “patriarchy: pale, male, and stale and their supporters” is wrong and that those group members should not be in political power because they are men.   Their video boldly proclaims that is their exclusive right as women and the non-binary to build power, defend democracy and protect our freedom.  This video is an example of the same indoctrination in action that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Moreover, Emerge NM is clear that a biological male who declares they are neither male or female or non-binary is encouraged to apply to their program.  At least two male persons appear as women in the EmergeAmerica.org video which gives a visually confusing and contrary masculine message to their Goal #3[3].  This goal states “We will elevate our mission to change politics as usual by flipping state legislatures, office leadership, and campaigns to majority-woman, as well as making sure that there are Emerge alums appointed to boards and commissions all across the country.”

Finally, ENM promotes social justice above equality of outcome. Emerge has revamped their program called The Emerge 2035 Plan.  They express a proven commitment to equity and justice and are committed to training the New American Majority[4].  Emerge states it is right to elevate a target group “because there will no longer be a white majority but there will be a New American Majority – Black, Brown, and Indigenous women, women of color, LGBTQ+, young, and unmarried women” that include the African American, Hispanic, and immigrant women. They intend to pack the pipeline with these group members and organize their ranks to put these groups members into power to rule, not by merit as a qualified and experienced leader but solely because ENM alumnae should rule this new majority.

Defining Conservative apart from a Progressive

To build a conservative program, we must have a definition that holds a clear and separate distinction from the progressive view.

Therefore, we must define it by principles.

Merriam-Webster

Principle noun

: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption

: a rule or code of conduct

: habitual devotion to right principles

a man of principle

Conservativism

These documents provide the founding principles of conservativism and are the basic values held by most conservatives.

• A Judeo-Christian world view from the Torah and the Holy Bible
• The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights

A Conservative

Someone who acts on the values instilled from the principles of the listed documents. 

A Perspective

Somewhere in the lives of a gun owner there was someone who spoke about the U.S. Constitution.  Somewhere in the life of a man or woman who believes that a life has value and ‘Thou shall not kill’ there was someone who spoke a biblical truth.

A Conservative Response to Equality of Outcome

The conservative view contrasts the progressive view with the belief that “Equal treatment for all means people must be treated as individuals and not members of a group.”

Because a conservative’s values and principles are rooted in a biblical world view and the constitution, we stand in opposition to progressive ideology.  We naturally will oppose any groups that advocate and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion because it promotes discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination.

Today, New Mexico progressivism is operating at a critically high level that our state may not come back from.  Within 15 years, Emerge New Mexico and other progressive groups have strategically maneuvered alumnae and other progressives into seats of power. These individuals have efficiently used their positions to push a progressive agenda into our executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our state government.

As stated previously, the result has not been equality of outcomes for all New Mexicans. Our state is quickly accelerating into a centrally controlled group dictating the rules of organization for what is best for all.  The result is a dictatorial control or suppression of our individual rights and repression of our freedom of individual thought.  The outcome of Legislative Session 2024 will reveal a true picture of our diminishment of individual liberties.

We must organize a counter move or a series of purposeful movements to prevent a total takeover of our local, city and state government offices by progressives.  To begin, we must produce and develop conservative leaders to push back on groups that incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

To support this idea, there is movement started by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (January 2023) who signed a bill that bans funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public colleges.  It is an attempt to defund and eliminate tax payer funded programs that promote critical race theory. SB 266 mandates that any Florida College System institution may not expend any state or federal funds that promote or engage in political activism.  This is a meaningful action that would force a learning institution to stop teaching gender and race identity politics and prevent the distortion of historical events. [5]

What is Emerge New Mexico?

Emerge New Mexico is a state affiliate of Emerge America.  This non-PAC 527 nationwide program continues to build the bench of well-trained Democratic candidates using a cohort-based seven-month training program. Emerge New Mexico is committed to their statewide strategy.

These goals are from the Emerge America 2022 Annual Report. According to the EmergeAmerica.org[6]   they have repackaged their goals into the EMERGE 2023: Plan.

It is an 11-year, long-range plan and applies to both national and state affiliates. A copy of their plan is in the appendix.

EMERGE Mission, Vision, and Goals

Emerge Mission

To increase the number of Democratic women and non-binary leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.

Vision 

To change the face of power, politics, and leadership in this country to have policies that are responsive to all Americans. 

Emerge GOALS

Goal 1:

Hold outreach and recruitment events in person and online with a promise to empower marginalized women to change the power structure where women rule.

Goal 2:

Nurture and lift as you climb culture to elevate Emerge women to appointed and elected seats as alums ascend to higher office – and help them get there through advanced training and mentorship.

Goal 3

To repower political structures by flipping state legislatures, transforming campaigns and office leadership into majority-woman, and filling appointed boards and commissions with Emerge Alumnae.

Emerge New Mexico Affiliate Justification for “Why Women[7]”?

The Emerge New Mexico affiliate website had the following text on their website:

• Studies have shown women in elected office overwhelmingly support and push forward democratic principles like equality and fairness.
• When women hold public office they are more actively involved in a variety of gender-salient issue areas, including healthcare, the economy, education, and the environment.
• Women legislators are more responsive to constituents, value cooperation over hierarchical power, and find ways to engineer solutions in situations where men have trouble finding common ground.
• New Mexico has a long history of women in politics, particularly women of color, starting with the election of Soledad Chávez Chacón as Secretary of State in 1922, just ten years after New Mexico became a state.

A Conservative’s Response to “Why Women.”

The New Mexico affiliate website did not cite the source of their study.  Without a published study or reputable agency who conducted it, it is simply their opinion of how women behave. 

The information on Soledad Chavez Chacon is correct.  In 1922, Chacon was nominated by the New Mexico Democratic State Convention for Secretary of State and won, being reelected in 1924. She was thus the first Hispanic woman elected to a state government office. While Secretary, she was called upon twice to be Acting Governor of New Mexico. In 1934 Chacon was the first and only Hispanic woman from Bernalillo County elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives.[8]

It is a fact that Emerge New Mexico (ENM) succeeds in getting a woman ENM alumnae elected or appointed to a judicial or legislative seat, or serving on a board or commission. 

Emerge NM Accomplishments over 15 years

• Over 477 women and non-binary individuals trained to run for office since 2006;
• Over 60% of their alum are women/non-binary individuals of color;
• More than 126 alums currently serving in public office across New Mexico including:
• Secretary of Interior Debra Haaland
• Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury
• 2 of 5 NM Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice Shannon Bacon and founding member of Emerge New Mexico
• 7 of 10 NM Court of Appeals judges
• 22 NM State House Representatives
• 5 NM State Senators
• Alumnae on school boards, city, and county commissions
• New Mexico is ranked 4th in the U.S., with NM women legislators hold 54% of seats in the state House of Representatives

Emerge NM Assets Development and Comparison

A Conservative’s Interpretation of Emerge New Mexico Accomplishments

According to the EMERGE 2023: Plan, their organization has an aggressive plan expand and increase their efforts to accomplish their vision and goals.

ENM has 477 candidates across New Mexico who are equipped to run for any political race. Each year this number increases by 30. The next ENM training is scheduled for February 2024. 

One example of their effort comes from Rebecca Dow (R), 2024 candidate for District 38 (North of the Las Cruces area) ENM is polling in her district.  This poll ultimately determines the messaging and the best messenger to run in that area.  Due to SB 180, incumbent candidates will not have to disclose to the public their place of residence.  ENM no longer needs to train a candidate for that area but can strategically install a candidate who is appealing to the voter base before the candidate filing date.

We cannot ignore orchestrated appointments by ENM alumnae presently seated on boards and commissions who are purposed to increase the number of progressive voices and to expand progressive authority in our school boards, city, and county commissions, the judicial, and legislative branches of our state government.

In every legislative session, progressive policy makers are changing the New Mexico and U.S. Constitutions.  Progressive justices are setting precedent and writing new law biased by their progressive values.

A Conservative’s Understanding of Emerge’s Mission and Vision

ENM Mission –

“To increase the number of Democratic women and non-binary leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.”

Our Response their Mission

We must build assets and a unified network to recruit and educate conservative men and women leaders from diverse backgrounds to increase our numbers in public office, boards, and commissions.   

ENM Vision

Vision 

To change the face of power, politics, and leadership in this country to have policies that are responsive to all Americans.

Our Response to their Vision

Since 2008, EMERGE produced a large bench of candidates who will uphold and promote progressivism, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their political career.  These indoctrinated leaders support more governmental control and support big spending on social programs. They do this rather than representing the wants and values of their constituents who entrusted them to represent all citizens within their districts. Members of this progressive group also believe it is their right to advocate and incorporate DEI values into new legislation and change public policy.

With that said, a conservative vision is to produce conservative leaders to serve in their communities including public office that is responsive to all the constituents in their district.  Our vision must counter their vision. We will endeavor to develop leaders who will preserve conservative values and principles, run for office, win elections, and be leaders within a Republic.

A CONSERVATIVE RESPONSE TO THE EMERGE GOALS

Emerge GOALS

Goal 1:

Hold outreach and recruitment events in person and online with a promise to empower marginalized women to change the power structure where women rule.

Goal 2:

Nurture and lift as you climb culture to elevate Emerge women to appointed and elected seats as alums ascend to higher office – and help them get there through advanced training and mentorship.

Goal 3

To repower political structures by flipping state legislatures, transforming campaigns and office leadership into majority-woman, and filling appointed boards and commissions with Emerge Alumnae.

Our Response to Goal 1

To begin we must recognize a progressive group’s promise to empower marginalized women. To change a power structure is part of the DEI indoctrination of placing one group in power and subjugating another group. It is a flawed goal to promise to empower one group above

Our response is to hold outreach and recruitment events in person and online for conservative men and women with equal treatment for all people, which includes all races, religions, both sexes, and economic status.  We recognize that we cannot make promises to one group over another.

Our Response to Goal 2

The problem with goal 2 is that is group based, and that only this select group shall be elevated and receive advanced training and mentorship.

Our response to Goal 2 is to elevate talented and wise conservative men and women to serve as appointees and elected seats as our alums ascend by merit to higher office, not by privilege or promise – and help them get there through advanced training and mentorship.

Goal 3

To repower political structures by flipping state legislatures, transforming campaigns and office leadership into majority-woman, and filling appointed boards and commissions with Emerge Alumnae.

Our Response to Goal 3

Goal 3 is the most frightening goal of all because it is a goal to flip both state legislatures into majority-woman and filling appointed boards and commissions with only alumnae who have been indoctrinated with their views with the intent to impose their beliefs through female rule within legislative houses, boards, and commissions.

We must respond with urgency and purpose to prevent Emerge NM from fully accomplishing Goal 3.

[1] https://emergeamerica.org/about/frequently-asked-questions/

[2] EmergeAmerica.org, October 2023, https://youtu.be/tnnzecF1m8U?si=RtPOOW87bJnrmfnS

[3] https://emergeamerica.org/about/2035-goals/

[4] https://emergeamerica.org/about/frequently-asked-questions/

[5] Epoch Times, May 15, 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill banning DEI initiatives in public colleges https://www.npr.org/2023/05/15/1176210007/florida-ron-desantis-dei-ban-diversity

[6] 2022 Emerge America Annual Report, https://emergeamerica.org/emerge-annual-reports/

[7]https://nm.emergeamerica.org/about/about-us/

[8] https://nmarchives.unm.edu/repositories/22/archival_objects/258672