NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – After just five weeks on the job, the treasurer of New Mexico’s democratic party abruptly quit, claiming the head of the party has sabotaged her efforts every step of the way. “It is tremendously disappointing,” said Julie Rochman, former Treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

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Julie Rochman began her term on April 26 as Treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, hoping to sharpen fundraising efforts to maximize the party’s impact in all 33 counties of the state. But she claims that from the beginning, the chair and the vice chair of the party made it clear she was unwelcome. “It was made clear to me from the moment we were elected that I was not a welcome part of the leadership team,” said Rochman.

After five weeks on the job, Rochman submitted her letter of resignation. “The decision that I made to resign was one of the most difficult decisions I think I’ve made as a Democrat,” said Rochman.

In the letter, Rochman said in part, “Despite friction during the campaign, the chair’s refusal to even acknowledge me when I offered a sincere congratulatory handshake was telling.” Going on to say, “they don’t inform or engage with me. In short, they’ve made clear that my expertise and input are unwelcome.”

Rochman told KRQE News 13 that Chair Sara Attleson and Vice Chair Cam Crawford left her out of staff meetings and ignored her. “The only thing they have sent me is a non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement to sign. It’s the only time when they have engaged with me,” said Rochman.

Rochman said that when she asked if it was the same agreement that prior officers signed, she was told no and that a paragraph had been added. “In other words, I can’t say anything bad about the other officers, or they could sue me, and that that would last well beyond my time at the party. That to me is a gag order. That’s antidemocratic. It’s against our right to free speech. It is telling me I can’t speak truth to power,” said Rochman.

Rochman said she’s going to continue her work for the party, “So I actually feel kind of freed up to do the work, and I wish the other officers very well, but I’ll be doing my work in another way.”

In a statement, Chair Sara Attleson responded to Rochman’s resignation, saying:

Last month, Vice Chair Cam Crawford and I stepped into our new leadership roles at DPNM with plans to get to work and strengthen our Party. Working with Secretary Brenda Hoskie and Democrats around New Mexico, we’ve done just that. Since we were elected on April 26th, we’ve traveled to rural counties and built up Party infrastructure in counties that previously had none. 

“As Democrats, we hold strong convictions and are effective and spirited campaigners. In last month’s State Central Committee elections, Julie Rochman ran as part of a slate of candidates including candidates for Chair and Vice Chair who each came in second place. Team DPNM was hopeful that we could all move forward together, regardless of which slate of candidates won or lost. Contrary to her letter, we welcomed Julie to be a part of the movement we’re building. Unfortunately, shortly after the election, she decided this team wasn’t an ideal fit for her. We respect her decision and wish her all the best in future endeavors and Democratic activism. 

“New Mexico Democrats proudly draw our strength from our diversity, which is apparent in our leadership. The majority of our statewide elected leaders are Hispanic, including our Governor, as are the majority of our federal level elected leaders. Within our internal Party structure, we bring an array of experiences and backgrounds – Vice Chair Cam Crawford is a 23-year old African American, Brenda Hoskie of McKinley County is a member of the Navajo Nation and fluent in Diné, several other DPNM Officers recently elected as Congressional District Vice Chair are Hispanic, and our State Central Committee spans demographics and truly looks like the communities they represent. 

“As DPNM leaders elected by our Party faithful, we have to lead by example. We have to trust the will of the voters who elected us and respect our Party’s role in the upcoming Democratic primary. This means we have to be responsible stewards of sensitive voter data and campaign strategies we are entrusted with. At a time when billionaires are dictating public policy and Donald Trump is eliminating essential services, we have to stay focused on fighting for working class New Mexicans, not turning on each other.

Sara Attleson, Chair of New Mexico Democratic Party