READ: LEAKED REPORT
New Mexico deserves better than Daniel Ivey-Soto.
State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto has been credibly accused by multiple women of sexual harassment and other forms of abuse. It’s time to hold him accountable.
“You slid your hand across my side and disgustingly groped and pinched my buttocks…”
What to know:
- State Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto has been credibly accused by multiple women of a long history of sexual harassment, bullying, and abuse.
- Several groups have called on Ivey-Soto to resign. Short of his resignation, there are additional steps that Senate leadership can take to hold him accountable and prevent further harm.
- For too long, Ivey-Soto has been allowed to deflect and victim-blame in the face of these serious and long-standing allegations.
- Voting rights advocate Marianna Anaya said Ivey-Soto sexually harassed her. In a letter to Ivey-Soto, she wrote: “You and I stood at a cocktail table next to each other and you slid your hand across my side and disgustingly groped and pinched my buttocks.”
- In denying Anaya’s allegations, Ivey-Soto disgustingly said, “I never try to get a Jehovah’s Witness to vote, and I’ve never made a pass at a lesbian. There’s just no return on investment.”
- Additional women, who have chosen to remain unnamed, have alleged “unwanted touching and sexual advances” as well as “groping” by Ivey-Soto.
- Ivey-Soto’s sexist language is well documented. He admits he referred to female policy leaders as “Lips and Hips.”
Besides the alleged sexual harassment, Ivey-Soto has a long, well-documented history of bullying and unprofessional behavior toward women colleagues and women with business before the legislature – contributing to a toxic culture at the State Capitol.
- Gayle Krueger said Ivey-Soto grabbed her and screamed at her while she was an employee of the University of New Mexico’s Graduate and Professional Student Association and he was president of its council.
- Miranda Viscoli said Ivey-Soto screamed and cursed at her before she was to testify on a firearms bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Carmen Lopez said Ivey-Soto “went ballistic” on her… “red in the face, spitting, yelling, getting louder and louder” in what should have been a professional environment.
- On the Senate floor, Ivey-Soto has been called to task for creating a “bullying state” while debating with female colleagues, and had to be “reminded” by the presiding officer to keep decorum.
Why is Ivey-Soto still in office? Why did a committee of his peers ignore the special counsel’s finding of probable cause and refuse to release the report? Ivey Soto’s behavior has been swept under the rug for far too long. We demand accountability and transparency.
The headlines say it all, and it’s an embarrassment to New Mexico:
Santa Fe New Mexican: Legislators show — again — they can’t police themselves
KRQE News: Advocates speak out against failed vote on new harassment procedure
New Mexico In Focus, a Production of NMPBS: Ivey-Soto resigns from committee | The Line/Your NM Government
Santa Fe New Mexican: Ivey-Soto resigns as Rules chairman; groups seek new harassment law
NM Political Report: Ivey-Soto steps down from Rules committee chairmanship
KOAT Action 7 News: Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto steps down as Senate Rules Committee Chair
Albuquerque Journal: Amid pressure, Ivey-Soto gives up committee post
Las Cruces Sun News: N.M. Sen. Ivey-Soto resigns from the chairman position of an influential committee
SourceNM: NM Sen. Ivey-Soto resigns from the chairman position of an influential committee
KOB 4: NM Sen. Ivey-Soto steps down as Rules Committee Chair
SourceNM: Senators to weigh Ivey-Soto’s leadership position on Rules Committee this week
Santa Fe New Mexican: By January, be ready on harassment policy
KOAT Action 7 News: Advocates seek better protection for women amid Daniel Ivey-Soto harassment allegations
The Paper: State Legislators Weigh Changes to Harassment Policies Amid Allegations Against Senator
Albuquerque Journal: Top legislators hold off on changes to anti-harassment policy
Los Alamos Daily Post: Advocates To State Legislature: ‘Ivey-Soto Has Got to Go’
Santa Fe New Mexican: Forces continue to mount against Ivey-Soto after report
Albuquerque Journal: Stewart recommends removal of Sen. Ivey-Soto as Rules chair
New Mexico In Focus: Leaked Report in Accusations Against Sen. Ivey-Soto | The Line/Your NM Government
Santa Fe Reporter: Legislators Propose Fix for “Unconstitutional” Sexual Harassment Policy
Santa Fe Reporter: Letters to the Editor, September 21, 2022
Santa Fe Reporter: The Big Secret
Santa Fe New Mexican: State Senate is failing to hold its own accountable
Alamogordo Daily News: If it’s broke, fix it.
Carlsbad Current Argus: The Legislature’s anti-harassment policy is clouded in secrecy
Albuquerque Journal: Ivey-Soto fiasco fueled by secrecy and flawed process
SourceNM: NM senator defends his reputation while policy silences the people accusing him of misconduct
Las Cruces Sun News: Leaked report roils harassment probe of New Mexico senator
Santa Fe New Mexican: Senate Democrats in New Mexico plan to elect new leaders amid turmoil
KRQE News: Leaked report details sexual harassment allegations against New Mexico senator
Albuquerque Journal: Senator calls FBI amid investigation dispute
Huron Daily Tribune: Leaked report roils harassment probe of New Mexico senator
Yahoo News: Senator: Sexual harassment complaint ‘indefinitely suspended’
Albuquerque Journal: Lawsuit challenges secrecy provision in harassment case
Santa Fe New Mexican: Senator reports Pro Tem Stewart to FBI over leaked harassment report
Santa Fe Reporter: Probable Cause Special counsel’s report found “credible evidence” in harassment allegations against Sen. Ivey-Soto
Santa Fe New Mexican: Senator reports Pro Tem Stewart to FBI over leaked harassment report
The 19th: What makes state legislatures uniquely prone to alleged harassment
Santa Fe New Mexican: Coalition renews demand Ivey-Soto be stripped of committee assignments
Source New Mexico: Investigator completes harassment probe of NM Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto
Albuquerque Journal: Groups call for ouster of senator from committees
KRQE News: Groups call for New Mexico lawmaker to take leave during investigation
Santa Fe New Mexican: Groups call to remove Ivey-Soto from interim committees
Santa Fe Reporter: Coalition Calls for Sen. Ivey-Soto’s Ouster from Subcommittees
News From The States: Investigator completes harassment probe of NM Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto
Los Alamos Daily Post: An Open Letter To New Mexico State Senate Leadership
SantaFe.com: Richard Eeds Show: Heather Ferguson of Common Cause New Mexico & Andrea Serrano of OLE
KUNM: Advocacy groups call for removal of senator from committees
Source New Mexico: Letter outlines more allegations of sexual harassment and bullying from Sen. Ivey-Soto
Santa Fe New Mexican: Senator admits to ‘Hips, Lips’ slight, denies other allegations
Albuquerque Journal: Advocacy groups seek Sen. Ivey-Soto’s resignation
New Mexico In Depth: New harassment allegations against lawmaker prompt call for state ethics commission to handle future complaints
Source New Mexico: Sen. Ivey-Soto accused of sexual misconduct by voting rights lobbyist
Source New Mexico: Sexual misconduct allegation against Sen. Ivey-Soto to be investigated
KOB 4: Lobbyist accuses New Mexico senator of sexual harassment
Albuquerque Journal: ABQ Sen. Ivey-Soto faces sexual harassment allegations
Seeking Accountability
A letter released last month signed by over two dozen leaders affiliated with public interest groups throughout New Mexico requested leadership strip Ivey-Soto of his interim committee assignments and to “swiftly” release the full investigative report into Ivey-Soto’s behavior. The investigation is reportedly complete yet the public has not been informed of the outcome.
And now, several months have passed with no action.
Leadership must take the following actions to hold Ivey-Soto accountable and create a safe, professional environment for all New Mexicans with business before the legislature:
- Strip Ivey-Soto’s committee assignments and leadership roles.
- Release the investigative report into Ivey-Soto’s behavior immediately.
- Take steps to eradicate bullying and sexual harassment within the legislature – including updating the State Ethics Commission’s oversight to include harassment and bullying.
It’s time to hold Senator Ivey-Soto accountable. His behavior has been the worst kept secret in the Legislature for far too long, and we cannot continue to allow him to escape accountability for his harmful behavior.

Having personally witnessed and experienced firsthand this legislator's abuse of power and aggressive behavior towards women, it is time for the Ethics Subcommittee to end the abuse and remove Ivey-Soto from office.