As the Sheriff for Luna County, I take great pride in what I do. Protecting our communities is my greatest honor. However, not everyone in New Mexico acts with honor.

Recently, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D., N.M.) and his Washington, D.C. allies used a photo of me in a political ad. I did not consent to my photo being used and do not I support Gabe Vasquez for Congress.

Vasquez is up for re-election in what’s expected to be one of the closest House districts in the country, and his biggest flaw is that he is an open borders extremist who has called to defund the police. In D.C., Vasquez has voted for soft-on-crime policies that make our communities less safe. He is extreme and out-of-touch with New Mexicans.

I would never consent to my photo being used in a video to support an anti-law enforcement candidate like Gabe Vasquez. I can only assume his allies used these photos without asking for approval because they knows we would never approve of being featured in an ad supporting his candidacy.  

Because Vasquez is pretending like he has the support of local law enforcement, when in fact he does not, I have no choice but to come forward and offer my complete endorsement of Republican Yvette Herrell for Congress. Yvette is a friend of law enforcement, and we know that she always has our backs, which is why I have hers.

We must point out right from wrong and the truth from lies. Vasquez has proven he will lie for political gain. That is not the New Mexican way. 

I strongly condemn Gabe Vasquez and I am proud to endorse Yvette Herrell for Congress.

Mike Eby is the Sheriff for Luna County, New Mexico, which is within New Mexico’s 2nd District.