New Mexico Debuts 1,500-Person Matanza Rally for 2028 Democrats
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 24
New Mexico Debuts 1,500-Person Matanza Rally for 2028 Democrats
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 24
Summary
More than 1,500 people are gathering in Albuquerque for New Mexico’s first “Fourth in the Nation Matanza Rally,” a new stop meant to introduce prospective 2028 Democratic presidential candidates to the state.
Sen. Ben Ray Luján designed the event to showcase New Mexico’s new early-nominating clout and its heavily Latino electorate, arguing candidates must rebuild trust with labor, union and Hispanic families.
Chris Van Hollen and Mark Kelly are among the attendees testing or weighing 2028 bids, while tribal leaders, business owners, donors and local officials give them an early read on Western and Latino voters.
The rally also doubles as a midterm turnout push ahead of Nov. 3 and could make a distinctly New Mexico cultural ritual—centered on a traditional pig roast—a regular fixture of the Democratic cattle-call circuit.