Dona Ana commissioners react to the resignation of Vasquez with mixed feelings

Doña Ana County commissioner have mixed emotions about the recent vacancy left in the seat for District 5.

John Vasquez announced his resignation Thursday following allegations of sexual misconduct.

“I thought that John was going to stay in there and step up to the plate and react to the situation and stay on board,” Commissioner Ramon Gonzalez said.

Commissioner Bill Garrett said he wasn’t surprised by Vasquez’s decision. “I thought that the way things were developed in terms with his relationship to the community and the Democratic party,” he said.

The ABC-7 New Mexico Mobile Newsroom obtained Vasquez’s resignation letter to Chairman Benjamin Rawson in which Vasquez outlined his accomplishments during his time as commissioner.

“I think at this point it gives us an opportunity to move forward,” Commissioner Benjamin Rawson said. “As a person I certainly feel for Mr. Vasquez and wish him the best on his future endeavors.”

In the letter he also dismissed the allegations of sexual misconduct made by Neomi Martinez-Parra, the Democratic Party vice chair for New Mexico, calling her claims “completely unsubstantiated.”

On Feb. 12, Martinez-Parra said she was a target of unwanted sexual advanced by Vasquez. She said in a letter that she strongly disagreed with a proposal from New Mexico Democratic Party chairman Richard Ellenburg that she not pursue a complaint in exchange for Vasquez resigning from a post.”

Vasquez wrote: “I stand by my statement that I have nothing to merit the allegation” Vasquez wrote. “She has ruined my career, my name, and hurt my marriage over allegations for which she has refused to provide any basis. There is no justice or honor in what the Democrat party has done.”

Vasquez also mention that he has post-traumatic-stress disorder.

“I have been receiving treatment from the VA. My heart and my marriage are more important to me than the position of Commissioner,” he said. “My party, in its zealousness, has show they do not have compassion for individuals with PTSD, and they don’t care about the truth.”

In January, Vasquez made a post about a female constituent’s mother calling her, “ghetto.” He defended his post saying, “This was not about a ‘yo momma joke.’ I actually received texts from someone named Martha Bencomo who is asking for an endorsement.”

The comments were related to a post by Vasquez denouncing political endorsements from elected officials. Vasquez had posted that he endorsed Johana Bencomo’s mother, although it turned out a different Bencomo was running for office. Then another post saying Martha Bencomo sent him a private message asking for unspecified, “weird favors.”

“He said he didn’t do anything wrong,” Garrett said, “but whenever you have a whole lot of people saying you are offending me there is something wrong.”

Vasquez took office Jan. 1, 2017. His four-year term would’ve ended Dec. 31, 2020.

“I sent a a copy of his resignation letter to the governor’s office,” Rawson said. “It will be up to her to appoint a replacement.”

Rawson said the replacement process could take up to six weeks.