SOS staffer placed on leave for "offensive" actions

At least one staffer in Secretary of State Dianna Duran's office has been placed on leave after offensive material was found on the office website and sent in a package to Political Action Committees around the state.

The material, which appeared on a sample spreadsheet that was posted yesterday and found today, was apparently being tested on-line. Remarks included in the spreadsheet are being described as racist and included the names of two African-American legislators.

“I was shocked and disappointed to learn that a state employee apparently posted what can be interpreted as racially offensive language in a sample finance report,” Duran said. “I find these actions deeply offensive and I immediately ordered the materials removed and I initiated an investigation."

The name of the staffer was not released to the media.

“It is critical that New Mexicans have faith that the Office of the Secretary of State will protect the rights of all New Mexicans equally and that I will not tolerate any form of racism or bigotry in this office," Duran said.

"Violations of this policy will result in swift and decisive action.”

A news release we received said that Secretary Duran has placed calls to both Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton and Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert, whose names were referenced in the inappropriate posting, to address any concerns they may have.

C. de Baca's Remarks Impact African American Children.

An hour before Fernando C’ de Baca resigned his post with the Bernalillo County Republican Party, leaders from Albuquerque’s African American community were meeting at the Reverend N.D. Smith’ Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church to express their outrage at his words.

Rev Smith was joined by NM State Representative Sheryl Williams Stapleton, Harold Bailey NM Office of African American Affairs, former Republican Governor Dave Cargo, Scotty Carruthers Director of African American Student Services at UNM, Joella Redmon, Executive Director NM Martin Luther King, Jr. State Commission, Ron Hinson, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico, Kalonji M’wanza NM Races Matter Coalition , and B. Brown.

770KKOB News Reporter Mike McCoy recorded the news conference and these statements.

9:15PM UPDATED

Listen to Rep. Stapleton express her disgust with poise and eloquence here:



And Rev. N.D. Smith here:




And read the group's statement read by Rev. Smith here:

We, the African American Community are greatly disappointed regarding the insensitive inflammatory remarks made by Mr. Fernando C. de Baca, the Chairman of the Bernalillo County Republican party. His perspective of African Americans in Albuquerque and New Mexico are without merit and foundation.

Because of his interview with the BBC, his remarks have embarrassed not only the State of New Mexico, but also our electoral process in the eyes of the world. His insulting remarks were meant to create a division between the African American, Hispanic, Native American and other cultures.

The statement also called for immediate resignation of Mr. C. de Baca.

Those in the Community who feel Mr. C. de Baca should not resign condone his outrageous position.

1) We believe that his public statements has [had a] debilitating impact on not only African American Children, but youth in general, who are our future.

2) His remarks are detrimental to the years of progress that have been made between the different cultures in New Mexico.

Should Mr. C de Baca fail to resign, the African American community is prepared to take additional actions.

The African American community feels it our duty and the responsibility of all the citizen of the State of New Mexico to acknowledge this gross indiscretion on the part of Mr. C. de Baca.