Carla Sonntag, President of the New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC), said that rising crime is prompting residents to leave the state and affecting business policy. Sonntag made these remarks during a New Mexico Sun podcast on February 28.
"With qualified immunity being removed, we're now 400-500 officers short in Albuquerque," said Sonntag. "Why would someone risk their personal assets just to do their job?"
According to a CWS Research poll, 93% of New Mexico voters support harsher penalties for fentanyl and other drug dealers, with unanimous backing from 18-24-year-olds and Latino respondents. Additionally, 94% of voters favor detaining repeat violent offenders without bail, a sentiment shared across party lines. Sonntag said that the rejection of HB 107, which aimed to impose stricter penalties on drug dealers, contradicts public opinion.
Another CWS poll conducted from January 31 to February 6, 2025, revealed that 48% of respondents believe the state is on the wrong track, while only 31% think it is moving in the right direction. Crime and economic policy were identified as major concerns, with strong support for detention without bail for repeat violent offenders and a significant portion favoring the repeal of the state income tax.
Source NM reported that in 2024, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's tough-on-crime bills were blocked from a vote by Democratic leaders who argued that more time was needed to address mental health, drug use, and crime issues. The proposed legislation included measures to expand involuntary commitment, restrict loitering, and increase penalties for felons in possession of firearms. For 2025, the governor is advocating for a single omnibus crime bill along with increased funding for behavioral health.
According to the World Population Review, New Mexico has the third-highest crime rate in the United States, with levels exceeding the national average across all categories. However, both property and violent crime rates have been steadily declining each year. Violent crime has decreased to 778.28 incidents per 100,000 residents; nonetheless, the state continues to rank third-highest nationally for violent crime.
Sonntag has been president and CEO of NMBC since its founding in 2009 and is an advocate for New Mexico businesses. During the COVID-19 shutdowns, she worked on establishing a reopening plan and drafted legislation aimed at preventing increases in unemployment insurance costs.
