If you’re interested in becoming the next Democratic presidential nominee, you’re going to need to learn what a Matanza is.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) played host last weekend for the inaugural Fourth in the Nation Matanza Rally on Saturday, an event organizers hope will become a must-visit for would-be presidents hoping to win the Democratic nomination.
“New Mexico has a role and responsibility to be able to shape who the next leader in the United States is going to be in 2028,” Luján said in an interview that aired on the latest episode of The Washington Sun Cast. “I’m just excited for every candidate that is running as a Democrat in 2028 to earn the nomination to be the president, that they learn more about New Mexico.”
The primary map of yore is out. Iowa has been banished by the DNC this year, and South Carolina, once third, has been lifted to the first slot. The other states rounding out the top three are familiar: Nevada. New Hampshire. Then: enter New Mexico.
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“We’re now fourth in the nation for early primaries,” Luján said. “So we’ve been reaching out to colleagues, and Mark and Chris were able to get out this weekend, so we welcome them, and we put together just a New Mexico celebration.”
Under the banner of a midterm “Get Out the Vote” event for New Mexico Democrats, Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) joined Luján and addressed potential voters and activists more than 15 months ahead of the state’s presidential primary.
Neither visiting senator was coy as to why they were in New Mexico.
“I’m kicking the tires, and it’s really important to kick the tires in New Mexico,” Van Hollen said.
“I used to spend a good amount of time in the skies of New Mexico when I was an astronaut,” Kelly said. “I haven’t made a decision [on a presidential run] yet; I’ll do that when we get to the other side of this election.”
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DNC officials told The Washington Sun in August the updated calendar is better suited for the party’s diversity, giving Black and Latino voters more of a voice in the presidential primary process.
“Our 2028 nominee, whoever they are, will have to earn this across the whole breadth of America,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said before the vote in August.
What does it take to win a presidential primary in this blue state, carried by Democrats each presidential election since 2008?
“Here in New Mexico, we’re a blue-collar state,” Luján said. “We’re a state of workers, whether it’s trades or farmers and ranchers, agriculture. We’re a state of innovation, of science and technology. We’re a state that celebrates generations of families and folks that just moved here within the last few days as well.”
“What I tell everyone that’s going to come to New Mexico, though, is learn to eat our chili as well, red and green,” Luján said.
The candidates are taking that advice. Kelly and Van Hollen were not the only Democrats with 2028 on their mind to spend time in the Land of Enchantment this weekend.
New Mexico gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland was joined Sunday by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear at a rally of her own. Haaland has also appeared this campaign season with every name on the future candidate long list, including former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Does it help a potential future governor that many potential future presidents want to stand next to her as often as possible?
“If I’m the next governor of New Mexico in the 2028 election season, when our presidential candidates do start coming to New Mexico, that we can direct them to listen to the various communities in our state who are suffering under this president,” Haaland said.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina) hosted his 34th annual World Famous Fish Fry this May, a must-stop for Democratic candidates in another early presidential primary state where the former House majority whip carries a lot of sway.
Is Luján on his way to becoming New Mexico’s Democratic kingmaker?
“We’re just doing our part to get people together, and this is just the first of what I hope will be many gatherings throughout the state of New Mexico over the next two years,” Luján said.
The Washington Sun Cast is a weekly podcast where Washington Sun reporters talk to lawmakers about their work in Washington and what motivates them. You can download or listen here.
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