A police report described a naked man running through a hotel hallway and pounding on guests’ doors in the middle of the night. Hernandez later acknowledged that his conduct was wrong, apologized, and said he was seeking professional help for problems involving alcohol.

Now the first-term Democrat is walking away from the November race while staying in office through the end of his current term.

KUNM reported that Hernandez initially called the episode a “negative interaction” with hotel security and Chicago police. The heavily redacted police report told a much more embarrassing story, describing a man now understood to be Hernandez running naked through the hotel and knocking on doors.

The incident occurred while lawmakers were in Chicago for a national legislative conference. Hernandez apologized after the details became public and said his behavior did not reflect his responsibilities as a state representative.

He had been elected to the seat only two years earlier.

He said alcohol contributed to what he called a regrettable lapse in judgment. His withdrawal statement said he needed to focus on his health and family while continuing to serve the people who elected him.

nm.news reported that Hernandez represents Shiprock, Hogback and other mostly Navajo communities in far northwestern New Mexico. Its account said he appeared to acknowledge his role in the episode after the Albuquerque Journal disclosed the police report, and then announced that he would withdraw from the race.

The outlet also detailed the immediate reaction inside the Legislature. Republican House Leader Gail Armstrong called for Hernandez to resign, while Democratic House Speaker Javier Martínez said he was disappointed but wanted Hernandez to get the help he needed.

The replacement question was already murky because state law limits when a political party may fill a post-primary vacancy. Republican Heather Ellison is running for District 4, and the November 3 general election was less than 75 days away when Hernandez made his announcement.

Hernandez is not resigning from the Legislature. He said he will serve out the remainder of his term and asked for privacy for himself and his family.

The timing of his withdrawal has also created a serious ballot problem for New Mexico Democrats.

KUNM reported that former state Rep. Anthony Allison filed to enter the District 4 race on the August 25 deadline, but the New Mexico secretary of state’s website subsequently listed him as disqualified. The reason was not immediately clear.

Republican Heather Ellison is running for the seat. If Democrats cannot place an eligible replacement on the ballot, Ellison could face no Democratic opponent in November.

That would turn a bizarre hotel scandal into a genuine legislative pickup opportunity. Democrats are trying to protect their advantage in the state House, and losing District 4 without a nominee would make that job harder.

The New Mexico Legislature’s official profile identifies Hernandez as a Shiprock-area lawmaker who has represented District 4 since 2025. He serves on the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee.

Voters did not force Hernandez out of the race at the ballot box. His own conduct did that before November arrived.

He says he is taking responsibility and seeking help. Politically, however, the damage is already done.

https://100percentfedup.com/new-mexico-democrat-drops-re-election-bid-after/