RGF announces intent to file ethics complaint against Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena

The Rio Grande Foundation intends to file a formal ethics complaint with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission regarding Representative Micaela Lara Cadena following the conclusion of the upcoming election.

RGF has made the decision to wait until after Election Day to formally submit the complaint out of respect for the electoral process and to avoid any perception that the filing is intended to influence voters. At the same time, RGF believes the public deserves transparency regarding the concerns identified through publicly available campaign finance disclosures.

After reviewing Representative Cadena’s campaign finance filings, RGF believes there is a clear pattern of campaign expenditures that fall outside the uses permitted under New Mexico campaign finance law. The expenditures identified in the complaint total tens of thousands of dollars over an extended period of time.

The complaint details recurring payments for office rent, utilities, internet services, office-related expenses, and equipment purchases, including expenditures that continued well after the 2024 election had concluded and during periods in which Representative Cadena faced no active electoral opposition.

The complaint also outlines expenditures tied to food purchases connected to protest activity and political advocacy efforts unrelated to an active campaign. Additionally, the complaint questions the use of campaign funds for travel expenses that were later reimbursed by the State of New Mexico.

RGF believes these expenditures raise serious ethical and legal concerns under New Mexico’s Campaign Reporting Act, which places strict limitations on the use of campaign funds and prohibits expenditures that would exist regardless of whether someone is actively campaigning for office.

The complaint requests that the New Mexico State Ethics Commission formally review the expenditures identified in the filings, determine whether violations of the Campaign Reporting Act occurred, require repayment of improperly used funds if appropriate, and impose any penalties authorized under law.

Importantly, the complaint has not yet been reviewed by the New Mexico State Ethics Commission, and no findings or determinations have been made. The purpose of the forthcoming filing is to ensure the matter is reviewed through the proper legal and administrative process.

RGF believes ethical standards and public transparency matter regardless of political affiliation. Public officials entrusted with campaign contributions and public trust should be held to consistent standards under the law.

You can find the official complaint here.

Publicly available campaign finance filings referenced in the complaint can be viewed here.