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Tag: 2022 election

  • Failed GOP Candidate Faces Federal Charges In Shootings Of Democrats’ Homes

    Failed GOP Candidate Faces Federal Charges In Shootings Of Democrats’ Homes

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    A former New Mexico Republican candidate arrested in a series of drive-by shootings at Democratic officials’ homes is now facing federal charges in the attacks that allegedly involved a machine gun.

    Solomon Peña, who was arrested in January on state charges related to the shootings, is accused of organizing and carrying out at least one of the four attacks in response to his November election defeat, according to an 11-count indictment unsealed by the Justice Department on Wednesday.

    Peña is charged with two alleged co-conspirators, Demetrio Trujillo, 41, and Jose Trujillo, 22, with conspiracy, interference with federally protected activities, and firearms offenses, including the use of a machine gun.

    Solomon Peña, who overwhelmingly lost a bid last fall for the New Mexico statehouse as a Republican, is accused of organizing and participating in drive-by shootings at the homes of four Democratic officials.

    Peña carried out the attacks after first visiting the homes of at least three Bernalillo County commissioners and urging them not to certify the state House election results, claiming the vote was “rigged” against him, prosecutors said.

    When these efforts failed, authorities said, Peña and his hired help shot up the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators between Dec. 4, 2022, and Jan. 3. Children and relatives of his intended targets were inside during at least three of the attacks, though no one was injured, authorities said.

    Peña, who has pleaded not guilty to the initial 14 charges, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 years in prison if convicted of the federal charges, the Justice Department said.

    “There is no room in our democracy for politically motivated violence, especially when it is used to undermine election results,” Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. said in a statement.

    Jose Trujillo was also charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

    Peña has a history of criminal convictions and was released from prison in 2016. He was ordered by a judge in January to remain jailed until his state trial, which is scheduled to start next week.

    The attorney representing him in those charges did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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  • Oswego village president candidates voice views on taxes, crime, weapons ban, recreational marijuana – Shaw Local – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Oswego village president candidates voice views on taxes, crime, weapons ban, recreational marijuana – Shaw Local – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    Village of Oswego voters have a choice between an incumbent and former village trustee in the Tuesday, April 4 election for village president.

    Troy Parlier, a 58-year-old Oswego SD308 teacher and Republican, is seeking election to a second term as village president. Parlier is challenged by Ryan Kauffman, a 42-year-old tech consultant and Democrat who previously served on the Village Board from 2015 to 2019.

    Shaw Local News Media recently sent questionnaires to both candidates in an effort to gauge where they stand on issues affecting the village.

    Here is how the candidates responded:

    (The candidates’ complete questionnaires can be viewed on our website at https://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/election/)

    Troy Parlier

    Why are you running for office?

    I ran for office four years ago because I felt Oswego was headed in the wrong direction. Projects were taking priority over our residents as tens of millions of dollars were added to our long-term debt, the local tax burden was becoming exhaustive, new taxes were being created and our tax dollars were being given away in incentives without much received in return, damaging our community and those government partners that depend on sound decisions from our village. Over these past four years, we have righted the ship with our village in the best financial shape in its history. We have lowered the village tax rate four years in a row, collected and assessed over $18 million dollars in impact fees from developers that have been…

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

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  • Statement From Georgia Ame Bishop Reginald Jackson on the Launch of Faith Works

    Statement From Georgia Ame Bishop Reginald Jackson on the Launch of Faith Works

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    Press Release
    –

    Jul 13, 2022


    ATLANTA, July 13, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    As first reported this morning in the New York Times, a coalition of faith leaders throughout Georgia have joined together to create the voting advocacy entity Faith Works.  

    The following is a statement from Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District:

    “Today, African American Faith Leaders from across the state of Georgia, representing multiple denominations and over 1000 churches totaling hundreds of thousands of parishioners, are joining together in the fight for voting rights and launching a new and greatly needed grassroots initiative called Faith Works.

    “Even with our great history, I believe it is fair to say that such a massive unifying effort within the African American faith community has never been seen before in Georgia.

    “We are all rising together because our democracy has come under attack from within – and like generations before us, this moment in history and our faith are calling for us to act.  

    “It is our hope that you will support this new movement – and that these efforts will be replicated across the country.

    “The launch of Faith Works and the work we will implement together across the state of Georgia will be significant.  I hope you can take a moment to continue reading to fully understand its importance and the historic collaboration we have created.

    “For decades, the right to vote has united our country’s political parties and our diverse ideologies….until right now.

    “For two years, a massive, well-funded campaign of deceit and intimidation, which began in Georgia, has spread across the country. This work was designed and executed to ensure that voting rights evolve into a political issue rather than continuing to serve as the very bedrock of our democracy.

    “As we have seen firsthand in Georgia, the results of this anti-democratic campaign have been swift and very real.  

    “New, unjust laws have been passed in Georgia and throughout the country, making voting much more difficult.  

    “Specific groups of voters, such as African Americans, have been unfairly marginalized and incorrectly blamed for voter fraud.

    “News reports have showcased planned tactics being organized to intimidate people from voting in this November’s election.

    “This web of anti-voting activities has been driven by unfounded, unproven, and unsubstantiated claims by political extremists. Their points have all proven baseless both in countless investigations and in the courts and have served only one purpose – to keep the majority of Americans in the minority.

    “As leaders across the state, we are forming Faith Works because it is nothing less than our moral obligation to follow God’s path and come together in the name of democracy.  

    “When confronted with the greatest of challenges it has been our Faith that has sustained each of us.

    “Faith Works — when we counteract these new unjust voter suppression efforts by embracing democracy and looking out for each other, no matter the political party or faith.

    “Faith Works — when we build a strong, supportive infrastructure that ensures all legal voters in Georgia are provided the ability to vote and that any attacks to marginalize Georgia voters are confronted head-on. And,

    “Faith Works — by increasing voter turnout throughout the state and the voice of all Americans is strengthened.

    “Through the tenets of the Civil Rights Movement – education, information, mobilization, confrontation, and reconciliation – Faith Works will serve as a beacon to ensure that every Georgian has the support and information they need to vote and that every Georgian can vote freely and fairly.

    “As stated in James 2:26, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

    “This is just the beginning. We ask you to please go to www.FaithWorks.Vote to please learn more.”

    #.    #.    #

    Contact: Matthew Frankel, Matthew@MDFStrategies.com, 917.617.7914

    Source: FaithWorks

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