Political rivals unite after Albuquerque sign vandalism

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thousands of New Mexicans pass campaign signs every day, but it only takes one to send a nasty message.

“I don’t know if it’s the message that bothers anyone. I don’t know if it’s me personally. I don’t know if it’s just because of the weather, but yes, they shred the signs with a knife. It’s kind of a violent thing,” said Kurstin Johnson, a candidate for State Senate District 18.

Johnson is running for the open state Senate seat in District 18. This is the Republican’s second time running for state office, but the first time she has faced this kind of political pushback.

“I believe that everyone has the right to have a belief, that there is room for tolerance and that people can make that decision when they vote,” Johnson said.

It’s a belief she shares with her Democratic challenger, state Rep. Natalie Figueroa.

“We absolutely have differences of opinion and different strategies on how to get to where we want to go, but it doesn’t have to be personal. It doesn’t have to be mean,” Figueroa said.

When she heard about this, she decided to lead by example.

“I texted my opponent and asked, ‘Do you want to put up signs together?’” Figueroa said.

“I love that idea, and that’s what we did,” Johnson said.

“Sunday afternoon we met up, we replaced one of his that had been cut, we put one of mine back together,” Figueroa said.

“And we shook hands and we agreed that it’s time to change the political narrative,” Johnson said.

“The battle is between politicians. The battle is between ideas,” Figueroa said. “It’s not about attacking individual people, and it’s not a necessity.”

Despite their good intentions, the battle for political decency is far from over.

“While we were doing this, someone walks by and throws a full can of beer at us. And the irony of the situation was just incredible to me,” Johnson said.

Both candidates believe remaining friendly during the campaign trial is the only way to truly bring issues like crime, education and health care to the forefront.

“I wouldn’t vote the way she does. I wouldn’t handle things the way she does. But it’s not personal,” Johnson said.

“We don’t have the same views on many things. What we share is respect for the process and our democracy,” Figueroa said.

KOB 4 visited the new campaign signs earlier Tuesday, just off the coast of Wyoming, and both are still standing.