Alamogordo, NM – In a provocative new Substack essay titled “The Authoritarian Playbook Comes Home,” longtime Alamogordo journalist and publisher Chris Edwards of Alamogordo Town News warns that tactics of personalist rule, patronage, and rule-bending are eroding transparent governance right here in southern New Mexico.

Edwards draws on historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s analysis in Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present and her Lucid newsletter — a source more commonly associated with national-level critiques of conservative figures. Yet he applies her concepts of “passive purges,” loyalty networks over expertise, and the “no chapter on failure” principle squarely to local events, arguing the patterns threaten conservative values of accountability, rule of law, and limited government at the city and county level.

The Hernandez Case: Unanimous Vote Reversed Behind Closed Doors

Central to the essay is the rapid reversal involving Dr. Stephanie J. Hernandez, a lifelong Alamogordo resident, Ph.D. holder, and Acting City Manager. On March 10, 2026, the Alamogordo City Commission voted 7-0 in public session to begin permanent contract negotiations with her. Hernandez had implemented performance-based budgeting, secured grants, strengthened Holloman AFB ties, and provided ethics and Open Meetings Act training.

Just 49 days later, on April 28, a 4-3 vote in closed session accepted a financial settlement tied to her EEOC complaint, effectively ending her tenure. The majority bloc — Commissioners Josh Rardin, Stephen Burnett, Al Hernandez, and Baxter Pattillo — reportedly used executive sessions to advance the outcome. Mayor Sharon McDonald, Commissioner Mark Tapley, and Commissioner Warren Robinson (who walked out in protest) opposed it.

Edwards frames this as a textbook “passive purge,” where reformers emphasizing transparency become targets. Critics of the move argue it prioritizes patronage and “institutional knowledge” aligned with insiders — including discussion of a former manager with past controversies — over open process and proven performance. Taxpayers may foot the bill for the settlement while the city faces leadership instability.

Amy Barela and the Republican Party Rules Dispute

The essay also examines Otero County Commissioner and New Mexico Republican Party Chair Amy Barela’s decision to remain in her state party leadership role after filing for re-election to her county seat on March 10, 2026. Party rules (Uniform State Rule 1-4-4) require immediate resignation when a contested primary exists. Multiple county GOP organizations, including Bernalillo and others, have called for her resignation, citing fairness and adherence to the rules.

Barela and allies commissioned external reviews claiming compliance, leading to ongoing internal conflict. Edwards links this to Ben-Ghiat’s observations on “seeking office as self-defense” and the tendency of power holders to reinterpret rules when they conflict with personal interests. For conservatives, this raises serious questions about party credibility ahead of key 2026 races.

A Call for Conservative Principles at Every Level

Edwards argues that the “fractal of power” means these dynamics — polarization as a tool, loyalty over merit, semi-legal reversals of public votes, and controlled instability — operate at city hall and county party levels just as they do nationally. He urges New Mexicans to demand transparency, ethics, and strict adherence to rules, regardless of partisan convenience.

“Public office should serve the public, not private networks,” the essay implies through its analysis. In deep-red Otero County and beyond, conservatives who value constitutional governance and clean elections should lead by example against cronyism wherever it appears.

The full essay provides detailed timelines, Ben-Ghiat citations, and local context. New Mexico conservatives concerned about good governance in Alamogordo and the state GOP should read it here:

The Authoritarian Playbook Comes Home

As local battles shape taxpayer dollars, institutional trust, and party effectiveness, vigilance at home remains essential to preserving the conservative promise of accountable, limited government.