The Montoya Mistake: AFP’s Principles in Peril

It wasn’t just passive opposition either—he actively worked against us, doing everything in his power to derail one of the most significant reforms New Mexico has seen in decades. How is it possible that the same man who opposed one of AFP’s biggest wins is now being considered for a leadership role? This isn’t just tone-deaf; it’s a betrayal of everything we were told AFP stood for.

Montoya’s record isn’t just tainted by his opposition to qualified immunity reform. Let’s not forget his opposition to occupational licensing reform for felons. AFP has long advocated for reducing barriers to work, especially for individuals who are trying to rebuild their lives after serving time. Occupational licensing reform was about giving people a second chance, helping them reintegrate into society, and reducing recidivism. It was a win-win for New Mexico’s economy and for its communities. But Rod Montoya? No, he couldn’t get behind that. He was more interested in playing partisan politics than actually solving real problems.

And then there’s pension reform. This one still stings. AFP New Mexico led the charge to overhaul the state’s public pension system before it spiraled into an irreversible death trap, exacerbated by the economic fallout from the pandemic. Without the reforms we fought for, the state’s pension system would’ve imploded, leaving countless public workers without the retirement security they had been promised. But Montoya? He didn’t just oppose the reform—he whipped votes against us. That’s right, he actively worked behind the scenes to rally lawmakers to block a reform that would’ve saved the state from economic ruin. It’s one thing to disagree with a policy, but to work so aggressively to ensure its failure? That’s beyond the pale.

This is where the frustration boils over—Montoya didn’t just oppose AFP’s initiatives, he campaigned against them. He lobbied lawmakers to stand in the way of meaningful reforms that would have benefited New Mexicans. Time and again, he put politics over principle. And now, this is the guy AFP wants to lead the state chapter? It’s almost comical if it weren’t so infuriating.

It makes me wonder: what has happened to AFP? How did we go from being a principled, nonpartisan organization fighting for real, limited government reforms to considering someone like Montoya for a leadership role? His brand of red-meat, party-line Republicanism is exactly the kind of politics AFP used to stand against. We weren’t supposed to be about backing Republicans or Democrats just because of the “R” or “D” next to their name. We were supposed to be about policy, about principle, and about getting results.

And let’s not pretend that Montoya’s leanings are some kind of fluke. His entire political career has been about staunchly defending the status quo, making sure that real, meaningful reforms never see the light of day. Whether it was on criminal justice reform, occupational licensing, or pensions, he’s consistently taken positions that go against AFP’s stated goals. So, how is this the person we’re supposed to believe will carry forward the legacy of AFP New Mexico? It’s absurd.

I’ll tell you what this looks like—it looks like AFP is slipping back into the old “back the Republicans no matter what” routine. If that’s the case, it’s an absolute tragedy. There was a time, not too long ago, when AFP stood on principle, when we held all politicians accountable, whether they were Democrats or Republicans. But under Emily Seidel’s leadership, it seems like those days are long gone. Seidel, by the way, opposed our efforts on qualified immunity reform too, so maybe Montoya’s anti-reform stance isn’t so surprising after all. Maybe this is just the new direction of AFP—one that’s more interested in towing the party line than fighting for actual solutions.

I can’t help but feel a deep sense of betrayal. I went through AFP’s Grassroots Leadership Academy, where we were taught to fight for liberty, for limited government, and for accountability. We were trained to push back against government overreach, no matter who was in power. The AFP I worked for wasn’t about making friends in political circles or currying favor with the GOP. It was about results. It was about making a difference.

That’s why it’s so painful to see the organization drift like this. Tim Phillips, the former president of AFP, had his flaws, sure, but he was a true believer in limited government. Under his leadership, we didn’t back down from tough fights. We didn’t let party loyalty stand in the way of doing what was right. We fought for reforms that mattered, even when it meant going up against entrenched interests. Those days seem like a distant memory now.

If Montoya does become the new State Director, it will mark a turning point for AFP New Mexico—and not in a good way. This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s a signal that AFP is no longer the principled organization it once was. It’s a sign that partisan politics has won out over policy, that backroom deals are more important than real reform.

It’s hard not to feel angry. Hard not to feel frustrated. Those of us who believed in AFP’s mission, who worked tirelessly for reforms like ending qualified immunity and fixing the pension system, are left wondering what all that hard work was for. Was it all for nothing? Is AFP really willing to throw away its values just to appease the Republican establishment?

I guess all good things must come to an end. But seeing AFP—an organization that once stood for something—fall this far? That’s more than just disappointing. It’s heartbreaking. And it should make every single person who believes in liberty, accountability, and real reform take a hard look at where the organization is headed. Because if Rod Montoya is the future of AFP New Mexico, then the future doesn’t look very bright.

Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor