Reasons for Hope
Coby Gentry,
CD2 Vice Chair
For those I have not met, my name is Coby Gentry. I serve as the DPNM CD2 Vice Chair and the inaugural president of the College Democrats of New Mexico. It is such a privilege to do the work that all of you have enabled me to do!
I wanted to sit down and write something that I hope will give you a little more hope with photos too! I know that sometimes it feels as though our party does not work or that the work being done is not producing results. I understand that frustration, and maybe you are right when talking about the party nationally.
But across New Mexico, people are doing the patient, determined work of building a stronger party, to BUILD THE BENCH and it gives me real reasons to feel hopeful.
New Mexico is earning a stronger national voice.
On July 24, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee recommended New Mexico as the fourth state in the 2028 Democratic presidential nominating calendar. The full DNC still needs to approve the proposal at its August meeting, but this is already an extraordinary achievement. If approved, New Mexico would have a MASSIVE voice in choosing our presidential nominee.
Candidates would need to listen to the Hispanic, Native, rural, working class, young and border communities that make our state so important.
This progress did not happen because of one person. It reflects the work of Chair Sara Attleson, Vice Chair Cam Crawford, Treasurer Caroline Zamora, our CD Vice Chairs, DPNM staff, volunteers, caucuses, elected officials, tribal leaders, county organizations and so many more.
The party is now organized in every one of New Mexico’s 33 counties. National recognition is earned through years of local work and consistent organizing. It is a reflection of Democrats showing up in every part of our state.
We are investing in the next generation. My generation.
The College Democrats of New Mexico have officially rechartered, and we are rebuilding the organization across our state. The NMSU and UNM College Democrats are already doing the work.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to take six students to Washington, D.C., for the College Democrats of America National Convention, where New Mexico won the Best New State Federation Award. Over the next few months, we are working toward establishing five new chapters at:
-Western New Mexico University
-Eastern New Mexico University
-New Mexico Tech
-New Mexico Highlands University
-Northern New Mexico College
If we want to give young New Mexicans a place in our party, we start by preparing future leaders and building relationships between students and county parties.
County parties are building from the ground up. I joined the Grant County Democrats to celebrate the opening of their office, and later with the Lea County Democrats as they continue their work to strengthen our party in southeastern New Mexico. This is what a party at work looks like building like never before.I plan to continue visiting our counties, highlighting what is working and helping build a better party. I want to share successful ideas across county lines so no organization feels that it is building alone.
You may have received an email similar to this from my wonderful CD-1 counterpart Beau Sandoval and all the great things he is working on which I highly recommend you read as well but we want to keep sharing updates like these so SCC members can see the progress your work is making possible. I also want us to learn from one another and turn successful local ideas into statewide progress.
Our party is not perfect, and there is still much more to do. But I hope each of you can take a little bit of what I have shared home and build.
When the country looks to New Mexico, let them see a Democratic Party that is organized, united, and ready.
I believe in the people doing this work, and I believe in what we can accomplish together.