Incumbent Melanie Stansbury and Republican hopeful Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Candidates for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District debated key issues, including crime, subpoenas, and the war in Iran, during the KOAT debate. But first they both had brief opening comments.
“I’m DD, but you can call me DD. I am a pharmacist, a business owner, the mother of three amazing boys,” said Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke.
“I am so deeply proud to represent New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District and to have delivered millions of dollars for housing, health care, and our veterans,” said incumbent Melanie Stansbury.
A heated exchange occurred when Stansbury was asked about whether she had been subpoenaed by the state’s Epstein Truth Commission. Stansbury denied being contacted but said she would testify if called.
“The question is, will you depose in public in front of me, my children, all of the survivors, the entire district, and the state of New Mexico before November 3rd,” said Okpareke.
“Well, once again, my opponent doesn’t have her facts straight. Our office has not been contacted by the committee. I have read reports that that is their intention, and certainly she does not have the facts straight,” Stansbury said.
Crime, a major concern for voters in the district, was another focus of the debate.
“Our current congresswoman said that she has poured millions and millions of dollars into the district to help our police force. Melanie, why are we still number one in crime in the nation? You’re not working hard enough,” said Okpareke..
“If we are going to tackle crime, we have to make sustained investment in law enforcement. That’s why I’ve brought millions of dollars home for state police, for sheriff’s departments, and for our local police departments,” Stansbury said.
KOAT political expert Brian Sanderoff said Okparke’s strategy was to criticize Stansbury.
“DD was looking for some made-for-TV moments,” Sanderoff said.
“Basically, she was blaming Melanie Stansbury for all the nation’s woes, that you’ve been in Congress for long enough, you should be fixing these things,” Sanderoff said.
Sanderoff also noted that Stansbury focused on criticizing former President Donald Trump’s policies.
“She is the incumbent. She is well known in this district. And so the first thing she had to do in terms of a strategy was not to make any major faux pas that could be used against her, and she accomplished that,” Sanderoff said.
Both candidates agreed on the need to end the war in Iran.
“Finish what you started, finish and finish fast. A lot of people here in my district, Mr. President, they are hurting,” said Okpareke.
“We need to end this illegal war which is bankrupting our country,” Stansbury said.
