(DC Pundit) – A former Republican candidate for a New Mexico state House seat received an 80-year prison sentence Wednesday after orchestrating a series of drive-by shootings targeting Democratic officials’ homes following his election defeat in 2022.
Solomon Peña was convicted of 13 felony charges earlier this year after coordinating the attacks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just weeks after his loss in November 2022. Peña faced multiple charges including conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm, four counts of intimidation and interference with federally protected activities, four counts of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and three counts of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.
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The coordinated shootings occurred between December 4, 2022, and January 3, 2023, with one attack involving a machine gun. Peña personally participated in one of the violent incidents, demonstrating his direct involvement in the criminal conspiracy.
The attacks posed serious danger to innocent family members, as some of the shootings happened while children and other relatives of the targeted officials were at home. Fortunately, despite the reckless nature of the attacks, nobody was physically injured.
According to prosecutors, Peña organized the shootings at the homes of two Bernalillo County commissioners and two New Mexico state legislators in response to unsubstantiated claims that election fraud contributed to his electoral loss. The targeted officials were all Democrats, including the current state House speaker.
“Violence and intimidation have no place in our elections,” U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Ryan Ellison said in a statement on Wednesday.
Solomon Peña, a failed New Mexico House candidate, was sentenced to 80 years for orchestrating drive-by shootings targeting Democratic officials and plotting to kill witnesses. He was convicted of 13 charges, including conspiracy and firearms offenses. pic.twitter.com/Udh0u7Vg7N
— That Smoke Pit Veteran (@thatsmokepit) August 14, 2025
Following his unsuccessful campaign, Peña took his grievances directly to elected officials, visiting the homes of Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners members and pressuring them not to certify the election results. He claimed the election had been “rigged” against him, despite having no evidence to support these allegations.
When the commissioners refused his demands and proceeded to certify the legitimate election results, Peña escalated his response dramatically. He hired co-conspirators Jose Trujillo and Demetrio Trujillo to carry out the dangerous shooting spree, prosecutors revealed during the trial.
The two men Peña contracted for the attacks pleaded guilty last year, providing crucial testimony against their former employer. However, Peña’s criminal behavior didn’t end with his arrest. Following his detention, he attempted to have the pair murdered to prevent them from testifying against him in court.
While passionate political disagreement is a cornerstone of American democracy, resorting to violence and intimidation represents a fundamental threat to the peaceful transfer of power that has defined our republic for nearly two and a half centuries.
The 80-year sentence reflects the severity of Peña’s crimes and sends a clear message that election-related violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition to the lengthy prison term, Peña was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Peña’s lawyer indicated plans to appeal the conviction, though the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial suggests limited prospects for success.
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