Bernalillo County
Aug 21, 2026

Brenda Hoskie sues New Mexico Democrats over secretary removal

Hoskie says she raised concerns about discrimination, harassment and retaliation against Navajo party members before leaders declared the office vacant


August 21, 2026

Former Democratic Party of New Mexico Secretary Brenda Hoskie filed a lawsuit in Second Judicial District Court in Bernalillo County against Chair Sara Attleson and Executive Director Sean Ward, alleging party leaders improperly removed her as secretary after she raised concerns about discrimination, harassment and retaliation against Navajo party members, according to reporting from Source NM The lawsuit says Attleson and Ward held a Committee on Discipline meeting in May without Hoskie, then told the State Central Committee in an Aug. 7 email that the secretary’s office was vacant.

Source New Mexico originally published the story. Hoskie, who is Navajo, seeks to restore her to the secretary position.

She has said party officials wanted her as “a brown face in the photo” but not a voice at the table.

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