Local reactions to Trump verdict mixed

A New York jury on Thursday found former President Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star.

Here’s what area politicians and others had to say about the verdict:

Steve Pearce, Republican Party of New Mexico chairman:

“From the beginning, we’ve contended this trial was a witch hunt against President Trump and countless legal experts have concluded this trial was a sham and politically motivated. … New Mexicans will decide if a prosperous and secure future for their families is more important than a witch hunt trial in November.”

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M.:

“America is a country that is built on the rule of law. An independent jury of 12 listened to the evidence, and America listened alongside them.  Americans are a moral people. Americans are a people who believe in the rule of law.  A criminal court has found that Trump is a felon, a corrupt politician, and not a man of moral integrity.

Tate Turnbough, Roosevelt County Democratic Party chairman: 

“Justice was served. Trump is no different than anyone else. Felonies were committed and he was convicted of those felonies. It is more clear now than ever that Trump is absolutely unfit to be dog catcher much less president of the United States.”

Robert Vilandry, 64, Clovis business owner: 

“I think it was a scam. The judge needs to be fired. The stuff he was telling the jury and the stuff he was allowing to be told and not allowing to be told -- I can’t believe he’s still a judge, but I’m sure something will come out of it later.” 

Celia Grigsby, 69, retired registered nurse: 

“I think in his first term he did a lot of good things … but I do agree with this (conviction) with the Stormy Daniels thing … I’m not a big Biden fan, but I don’t think Trump’s right for the country right now.” 

Pat Woods, state senator, R-Broadview: 

The question is: If Trump is a felon and Biden isn’t a felon, would you vote for a felon to be president? The reason I would vote for Trump over Biden is because I figure Biden has done just about as bad of things as Trump has. If it’s just a moral ground, I can’t believe (Biden) is any better of a person. But you can’t take a sitting president to court.