Are You For Real?

By A. Govea — alberto@holatexas.us

According to multiple published reports, some Texas legislators are exploring the idea of annexing a few New Mexico counties. When I first heard it, I assumed it had to be an April Fools’ joke — except it wasn’t. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has formally requested a committee to study the possibility. The counties being eyed are Lea and Roosevelt in eastern New Mexico.

To no one’s surprise, those counties are both oil‑rich and very conservative. Some observers see this as a political stunt meant to amuse certain MAGA circles — the kind of “Well, we took Mexico, now let’s take New Mexico” talk that gets a laugh in some rooms.

Is it serious? The answer not sure — pero it does fit into a broader pattern of bold territorial or political proposals that have circulated in recent years. Supporters argue that these counties align more closely with Texas policies than with New Mexico’s, which currently provides free child care for all. Others speculate that some Texas Republicans may be uneasy about shifting support in rural Texas and are looking for new political ground.

To be fair, the idea isn’t coming solely from Texas. New Mexico Rep. Larry Scott Pettigrew has floated a proposal for those counties to secede from New Mexico. But New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez responded with a sharp, tongue‑in‑cheek message: “Come and try to take it.”

We’ll continue following this story, and as always, we welcome your thoughts.

Other Legislative Talk

In another developing conversation, two Republican candidates for Texas Attorney General — U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Mayes Middleton — have expressed interest in challenging a long‑standing Supreme Court ruling that guarantees all children access to public education regardless of citizenship status. According to reporting from The Texas Tribune, both candidates believe the current Supreme Court might overturn that precedent.

They have also voiced support for revisiting other landmark decisions. Roy has mentioned Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 ruling that legalized same‑sex marriage nationwide. Both candidates have emphasized the need for what they describe as stronger religious influence in legislation. Roy stated, “There’s a war raging against our souls as Texans, and those things need to be fought.” Middleton previously supported a bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments.

In Closing

While I personally do not agree with their politics, pero if you do, that is your right. All I ask is that we respect each other’s views. I know I do.