LAS CRUCES — The New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police says U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., used its logo without authorization in a taxpayer-funded mailer touting the union’s support for his drone-safety legislation, even as the organization has formally endorsed his Republican opponent.
Vasquez’s franked mailer features the FOP emblem beside the headline “Largest police union endorses Vasquez’s bill to combat crime,” referring to his Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act.
In a letter responding to the mailer, obtained by the Washington Examiner, the NMFOP said it backs the legislation but not the congressman. “Although the NMFOP supports the bill, we did not endorse Mr. Vasquez for congress nor did the NMFOP have knowledge or approve the use of the NMFOP emblem on the mailer,” the letter states.
The letter goes further, accusing Vasquez of a “long history of anti-law enforcement” positions and noting that he “voted against a resolution expressing support for law enforcement officers” during National Police Week in May.
Vasquez campaign manager Patricia Socarras Santiago defended the congressman’s record. “Congressman Vasquez has always and will always fight to keep our communities safe from criminals and cartels,” she said. “He was proud to work with the FOP on this bipartisan legislation to combat criminal drone use, which the FOP endorsed, and to bring home more than $7 million in public safety funding to combat violent crime, crack down on drug trafficking, and invest in local police departments.”
The bill at the center of the dispute, H.R. 6605, was introduced in December 2025 with Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia as co-lead. It would direct the Government Accountability Office to study how federal, state, local and tribal agencies use drones and counter-drone technology. National FOP President Patrick Yoes praised the measure at its introduction, calling unmanned aircraft systems “a vital law enforcement tool,” particularly along the border.
Despite that endorsement, the NMFOP voted in June to back Republican Greg Cunningham, a retired Albuquerque police officer and Marine veteran, in the race for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. “Mr. Cunningham is a candidate who calls for law and order across our great State of New Mexico, and at the same time, will protect our law enforcement officers,” the letter concludes. “No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than another law enforcement officer.”
Cunningham, who received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement in April, won the June 2 Republican primary with 84% of the vote. Vasquez, seeking a third term, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. NM-2, which covers southern New Mexico, is considered among the most competitive House districts in the country heading into November.
