Solomon Pena
Solomon Pena (Republican Party) ran for election to the New Mexico House of Representatives to represent District 14. Pena lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
On August 13, 2025, Pena was sentenced to 80 years in prison on charges related to shootings targeting the homes of four New Mexico Democratic officials.[1] For more information, click here.
Elections
2022
See also: New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14
Incumbent Miguel Garcia defeated Solomon Pena in the general election for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Miguel Garcia (D) | 73.6 | 5,679 |
 | Solomon Pena (R) | 26.4 | 2,033 | |
| Total votes: 7,712 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14
Incumbent Miguel Garcia advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Miguel Garcia | 100.0 | 1,746 |
| Total votes: 1,746 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14
Solomon Pena advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 14 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Solomon Pena | 100.0 | 384 |
| Total votes: 384 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Solomon Pena did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Noteworthy events
On January 16, 2023, Pena was arrested on charges related to the orchestration of four shootings targeting the homes of four Democratic officials. The drive-by shootings took place between December 4, 2022, and January 3, 2023.[2][3] There were no injuries reported as a result of the shootings.[4]
On May 31, 2023, federal prosecutors indicted Pena on 11 counts, including conspiracy and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.[5] He was indicted on additional charges in March 2024.[6]
A jury convicted Pena on all counts on March 19, 2025.[7] On August 13, 2025, he was sentenced to 80 years in prison.[1]
According to the Albuquerque Journal, two days prior to his arrest Pena was elected as a ward chairman and GOP State Central Committee member by the Bernalillo County Republican Party.[8] A statement condemning Pena's actions was added to the Bernalillo County GOP website, and the state Republican Party issued a statement saying Pena should be held accountable if he was found guilty in a court of law.[8][9]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 AP News, "Failed New Mexico candidate gets 80 years for convictions in shootings at officials’ homes," August 13, 2025
- ↑ ABC News, "Albuquerque police make arrest in shootings at 4 lawmakers' homes," January 17, 2023
- ↑ NPR, "A losing Republican candidate in N.M. is charged over shootings at homes of Democrats," accessed January 17, 2023
- ↑ KOAT, "Possible changes to future political campaigns amid Solomon Peña case," January 22, 2023
- ↑ KRQE, "Feds charge Solomon Peña, accomplices in shootings at Albuquerque elected leaders’ homes," accessed May 31, 2023
- ↑ Source NM, "Failed GOP candidate accused of plotting to have co-defendants killed," April 1, 2024
- ↑ Albuquerque Journal, "Jury convicts on all counts in the political shooting trial of Solomon Peña," March 19, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Albuquerque Journal, "Before his arrest, Solomon Pena was elected to Bernalillo County GOP leadership post," January 20, 2023
- ↑ Bernalillo County Republican Party, "About," accessed January 23, 2023
