Failed GOP candidate charged in The Shooting Plot claimed ‘rigged’ election

A failed Republican candidate who falsely claimed his election to the New Mexico House of Representatives was stolen has been arrested for allegedly plotting a conspiracy to shoot the homes and offices of elected Democrats.

Solomon Peña vowed to “fight until the day I die”. tweet He complained of a “rigged” election earlier this month, despite losing by more than 45 points to incumbent Democratic New Mexico State Representative Miguel Garcia in November. On Monday, police arrested Peña on charges that he recently staged a series of shootings targeting four current and former Democratic officials.

“Earlier today, the Albuquerque Police Department SWAT team placed Solomon Peña in custody in relation to this shooting,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said during a news conference. “It is believed that he is the mastermind behind this and organized this.”

Peña is accused of paying after his election defeat and conspiring with four other men to shoot at Democrat homes. Albuquerque Police said the shooting was “politically motivated” and accused Peña of pulling the trigger himself at least once.

The shootings began in December when the homes of Bernalillo County Commissioner Adriann Barboa and former Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley were shot at.

Earlier this month, State Senator Linda Lopez’s home and State Senator Moe Maestas’ office were attacked. Peña allegedly visited some of the officials to complain about the “rigged” elections before the shooting took place.

“Mr. Peña had, I believe, visited at least three commissioners and Senator Lopez in November after the election,” Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said. “He had complaints about his election and felt manipulated.”

Gallegos said that Peña’s visits to the officials, during which he showed them “paperwork” and alleged voter fraud, could indicate “why they were being targeted.”

“[The officials] all expressed that they were confused and surprised,” said Gallegos. “One actually led to quite a fight, I think. So I think that has something to do with it… it was shortly after that when the shooting happened.

Peña spent nearly seven years in prison after previously being convicted of crimes including burglary, theft, stealing property and contributing to the crime of a minor Santa Fe’s new Mexican.

Garcia challenged Peña’s candidacy over the convictions in court, citing a law barring felons from holding office, though a judge allowed the Republican to remain on the ballot when he struck down the law in September.

Peña, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and his claims of “stolen elections,” repeatedly complained on Twitter about “rigged” elections following his defeat in November.

In addition to insisting he didn’t lose his own election, he also backed stolen election claims from other Republicans, including former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.

It was not immediately clear if Peña had hired a lawyer after his arrest. news week asked Peña to comment via a link on his campaign website, which was still online at the time of publication.

news week also reached out to the Albuquerque and Garcia Police Department for comment.