Yvette Harrell's Vote Against State's Rights

 I received this email yesterday, as did many other voters in CD2, offering an explanation for Harrell's support of a preposterous last-minute move in Congress on behalf of President Trump which contributed in no small part to the violent insult to democracy that occurred in the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday.  Normally I wouldn't bother to reply; congresspersons frequently make foolish decisions, many of which should be forgiven in consideration of Potomac fever and, now, the coronavirus blues.  But since the stakes are very high, I am including a copy of her email and my reply.

Late last night, I kept my promise to object to the certification of the Electoral College tallies from the two states for   which votes were permitted: Arizona and Pennsylvania. No other objections for any other state, including New Mexico, had the required backing of at least one U.S. Senator that would have allowed a vote on the House floor.

The unconstitutional election changes in numerous states disenfranchised my constituents in New Mexico. I hope that by joining so many of my House colleagues in objecting we can shed light on the problems with the 2020 election and move towards solutions that restore integrity and confidence to our electoral system.

As President Trump said this morning, there will be an orderly transition to the new administration on January 20th. I  will continue to work on behalf of the people of New Mexico's Second District to support our shared values of limited government, free markets, and Constitutional rights.

 

My reply:

 

Your explanation is unacceptable.  You pay lip service to limited government and markets and constitutional rights, but your actions have violated the Constitutional mandate for states to determine the outcome of their own elections.  Your assertion that electoral actions in other states (which you feel expert enough to deem unconstitutional) "disenfranchised my constituents in New Mexico," is just gibberish.

 

You took it on yourself to use your position as a congresswoman from New Mexico to stick your nose in Arizona's business and Pennsylvania's.  How would you like it if Chuck Schumer objected to your victory at the polls last November, and was able to use his clout two weeks from now to get half the Senate to publicly cast doubt on the legitimacy of your standing as a congresswoman, based, let us imagine, on rumors from progressive leaders in New Mexico, that you rigged some of the votes in Doña Ana County, in spite of sworn testimony from the relevant officials (Democrats and Republicans alike) that the votes were counted faithfully and accurately?

 

When you were in the NM House I asked Mary Kay Papen to offer me her opinion of your character, and her positive response caused me to respect your judgments.  Same thing with Harvey Yates.  That respect has ended.  You are now complicit in this assault--including the shameful events at the Capitol last Wednesday--on the rule of law, which is the foundation of our democracy.