ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Republican lawmakers scrambled on Wednesday to distance themselves from shooting suspect and failed GOP candidate Solomon Pena.
Pena, who lost his race for the New Mexico state House, was arrested Monday in connection with a string of shootings at the homes of state and local Democratic leaders, police said.
This individual was a felon in possession of a gun who conspired to terrorize and harm New Mexico families,” New Mexico Senate Republican Leader Senator Greg Baca said in a statement.
He lost in a landslide to House incumbent Democrat Miguel P. Garcia by 5,679 to 2,033, or 74% to 26%.
On Wednesday, New Mexico Republican leaders insisted they are opposed to "violence in any form."