Vasquez caught pretending to be in district while on donor-funded trip

In case you missed it, the Sante Fe New Mexican reports Gabe Vasquez pretended to be in the district when he was actually on a Democrat mega donor-funded backpacking trip in Alaska.

Not a good look!

Especially considering Vasquez voted the way his Democrat donor wanted him to… twice!

Read more below.

Vasquez staff defends timed New Mexico social media posts during Alaska trip

By Daniel Chacon

Sante Fe New Mexican

July 29, 2026

 

A social media post shared on X last year showed U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez meeting with constituents in Hobbs.

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The day the photo was posted, the 2nd District congressman was flying to Alaska for a backpacking trip funded by a Democratic donor, according to post-travel disclosure forms filed with the House Committee on Ethics last year.

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The trip was paid for by the American Lands Project, a nonprofit that says it builds connections between policymakers “and our country’s irreplaceable public lands and waters.” The board president is identified as Thomas Campion, a conservationist who has opposed President Donald Trump’s efforts to open and expand oil and gas leasing in Alaska, specifically in the wildlife refuge.

The reported value of the trip, including transportation, lodging, meal and other expenses for Vasquez, was about $11,535, according to the disclosure form, which described it as a “fact-finding trip to experience and learn firsthand about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and meet with local residents that rely on these lands.”

Since the trip, Vasquez, who has long made support for conservation and public lands a focal point of his policy views, has voted at least twice against expanding energy development efforts in Alaska, including in the wildlife refuge. He posted photos from the Alaska trip on his Instagram account last month.

Read the full article here.

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