A Democratic state lawmaker in New Mexico has ended his re-election campaign following a strange overnight incident at a Chicago hotel. State Rep. Joseph Hernandez, a Democrat from Shiprock, withdrew his bid for another term in the 4th District after a heavily redacted police report drew intense scrutiny.
Hernandez had earlier described the episode as a “negative interaction.” The police report, however, depicted a much more embarrassing scene involving a naked man—later identified as Hernandez—running through the hotel and pounding on guests’ doors in the middle of the night.
As pressure mounted, Hernandez issued an apology in which he acknowledged struggles with alcohol. He said he was taking full responsibility for his actions and seeking help.
In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Hernandez explained that the best decision for himself and his loved ones was to focus on his health and family. He plans to remain in office and continue serving his constituents through the end of his current term.
The withdrawal has created unexpected political consequences. Republicans may gain an opening in a district Democrats had expected to contest, while the New Mexico Democratic Party scrambled to replace him after the deadline for post-primary candidate substitutions.
Former state Rep. Anthony Allison initially filed to take Hernandez’s place on the ballot, but the secretary of state’s website later listed him as disqualified. The situation leaves Democrats racing to field an eligible candidate ahead of the November election or risk losing the seat.