Advertise on podcast: Around the Roundhouse

Linda Trujillo was elected New Mexico’s new Senate majority leader Sunday by the Senate Democratic caucus, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She will take the place of fellow Santa Fe Democrat Peter Wirth, who served in the role for a decade before announcing earlier this year that he would not seek another term as majority leader. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Trujillo joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss her leadership style and the priorities that the Senate Democratic caucus will pursue in the 2027 legislative session. To start, Trujillo shares why she decided to pursue the majority leader position and describes her relationship with Wirth, who she described as a strong and steady leader during his time in the role. A major focus for the Senate Democratic caucus in the 2027 session will be affordability. In discussing priorities, Trujillo offered examples including passing a cost of living adjustment for the state’s Public Employees Retirement Association members, continuing to provide support for childcare, making housing more affordable, filling gaps in health care and supporting senior citizens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Roybal has worked in the courts for more than a decade, spending time at both the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court and the First Judicial District Court. He’s served as a court clerk, court monitor and a pretrial services officer, and now he’s vying to earn a spot in a judge’s seat. Roybal, a Democrat and a 2008 Santa Fe High graduate, is running against Forward Party candidate Harry Montoya to be a Santa Fe County magistrate judge. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Roybal joins Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Clara Bates to discuss his background and share his reasons for running. Working in the courts since 2014, Roybal says his roles in the court system have allowed him to see the problems that plague the community. He also talks about his family’s interactions with the judicial system his firsthand experience of seeing how drugs can impact a family. Roybal says if elected he would work to get people with substance and behavioral health issues the treatment they need while also holding people accountable for their actions. Roybal also talks about his involvement with the JB White Foundation, which helps raise awareness about gun violence among youth and puts on youth basketball tournaments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Gessing has spent the past 20 years working to shape policy in New Mexico as president of the Rio Grande Foundation, an Albuquerque-based think tank focused on promoting “individual freedom, limited government and economic opportunity,” according to the organization’s website. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Gessing joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss a proposal to raise the state’s gas tax, why he supports eliminating the personal income tax in the state, his thoughts on the gubernatorial race and more. New Mexico hasn’t seen an increase in its gas tax in more than three decades. Funds raised from the tax go to repairing the state’s roads. State Sen. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, D-Rancho de Taos, is considering introducing the proposed increase during next year’s 60-day legislative session. Gessing thinks raising the gas tax would be a bad idea, saying he thinks there are other places the state can draw funds from to repair its roads. “Simply put, it is crazy to even be talking about raising taxes,” Gessing said. Members of the state’s Republican Party, which is a minority in the both chambers of the Legislature, have also been pushing for eliminating personal income tax. Gessing shares why he thinks it would be a good move for the state and says he thinks it would be best to phase it out over a number of years rather than all at once. Chacón also asks Gessing to share his thoughts on the governor’s race between Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Gregg Hull. Gessing says he wishes the public would get the chance to see multiple debates between the two candidates before the election, which seems less likely as Nov. 3 approaches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Mexico was in the national spotlight earlier this week as President Donald Trump sent out multiple social media posts indicating a desire to rename New Mexico “New America.” The posts prompted backlash from New Mexico’s congressional delegation and others who didn’t appreciate the suggestion. New Mexico State Historian Rob Martinez has been among the voices critical of Trump’s “New America” pitch. He has been interviewed by publications including The New York Times and The Guardian, offering a lesson on the origins of New Mexico’s name and sharing some of the unique elements of the state’s history. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Martinez joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to push back against Trump’s “New America” posts, saying “our state name is no joke.” Martinez discusses the shaping of New Mexico and its complex culture. He also shares the history the region has had with the United States and Mexico, and some the prejudices that developed that he says seem to have not gone away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before resigning from the state Senate nearly four years ago, Jacob Candelaria changed his party affiliation from Democrat to decline to state. Being unencumbered by partisan loyalties “was liberating,” Candelaria said, and working as an attorney, he says he fights for the people of New Mexico instead of for the government. Candelaria has taken high-profile cases including whistleblower lawsuits and a challenge of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s universal childcare program. This week, he filed a disciplinary complaint against state Rep. Andrea Romero for taking a part-time job in the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The complaint alleges multiple violations of New Mexico’s Rules of Professional Conduct. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Candelaria joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his complaint against Romero, a new complaint he has filed against District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, his thoughts on the state’s Democratic Party and more. Candelaria, a state legislator from 2013-2022, recounts his time serving in the Roundhouse, which included tense moments and clashes with the governor and other Democrats. He says he doesn’t miss being a legislator and explains why he feels “state government is broken.” Chacón then asks Candelaria to go into detail about his disciplinary complaint against Romero. In the discussion, Candelaria reveals that on Wednesday he also filed a complaint against Carmack-Altwiews for hiring Romero to the office. Romero resigned from the controversial part-time job earlier this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harry Montoya has been a Democrat and a Republican. The former Pojoaque School Board member and Santa Fe County Commissioner says he doesn’t feel like he fits into the mold of either party anymore and is now running as a member of the newly formed Forward Party in his campaign for Santa Fe County magistrate judge. Montoya, who is facing Democrat Michael Roybal in the general election, joins the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” for a conversation with Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón on his background, his interest in the magistrate judge role and his decision to run as a Forward Party candidate. Long in the political sphere, Montoya says a continued passion for public service has driven him to pursue the magistrate judge position. He discusses what the magistrate court is and shares his thoughts on what qualities a judge should bring to the job. Montoya also talks about the Forward Party movement, saying he feels the party offers the opportunity to put narrow ideologies aside and work for progress for the people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ramona Goolsby has been a family nurse practitioner, an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, a staff accountant for a CPA firm, a small business owner and manager of a ranch. She says she’s not a politician, but she hopes her varied experiences will appeal to voters as she campaigns to be New Mexico’s secretary of state. The Rio Rancho Republican is running against Doña Ana County Democrat Amanda López Askin in the November general election. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Goolsby joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to speak about her background, share why she’s decided to run for secretary of state and discuss her top priorities. Goolsby speaks on her concerns about the state’s voter rolls and says she would like to launch a voter roll cleanup task force. Chacón later asks Goolsby questions about her position on voter ID requirements and the SAVE America Act, as well as if she agrees with Donald Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was rigged. The episode ends with Goolsby talking about what led her to come to New Mexico and about her Master Cattleman certification. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick M. Brenner is founder, president and CEO of the Southwest Public Policy Institute, a New Mexico-based public policy think tank with a stated mission to deliver data-driven research, advance government transparency and safeguard consumer choice across the Southwest. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Brenner joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to talk about a range of topics including what his think tank does, how it is funded and some of the policies the institute is currently focused on. Brenner also discusses what led him to depart the Rio Grand Foundation, an Albuquerque-based think tank, and eventually create his own. Brenner touches on issues including opioid settlement transparency, New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act, banking deserts, housing affordability and more. A former Republican, Brenner also speaks about what led him to leave the party and offers some thoughts on New Mexico’s gubernatorial race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Perry grew up in Roswell with an interesting aspiration for a child — he wanted to be a game warden. One of his grandfathers was a director with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and took Perry quail hunting all over the state. After studying wildlife science at New Mexico State University, Perry followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and served as a game warden for the department for more than two decades. Perry now has a new goal — to become the New Mexico state land commissioner. Formerly an assistant commissioner over state lands at the State Land Office, Perry is the Republican nominee for state land commissioner. He is running against Democrat Juan de Jesus Sanchez III to succeed outgoing State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Perry joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share his positions on policy issues facing the State Land Office and to discuss the path that led him to this point. Chacón begins the episode by asking Perry about his stance on the withdrawal of state lands from mining leases around Chaco Culture National Historical Park initiated by Garcia Richard. He also asks Perry about his thoughts on Garcia Richard’s denial of an application to run a portion of a natural gas pipeline for Project Jupiter through state trust land. Perry then responds to a question about a proposal to increase oil and gas bonding on state lands. Questions then turn to Perry’s campaign and how he plans to break a long drought of Republicans in statewide races. Perry says his decades of experience with the state Department of Game and Fish and the State Land Office give him an edge over his younger opponent. The interview ends with questions about Perry’s roots in New Mexico, his professional background and his passion for the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Mexico is the only state in the country with an unpaid Legislature, but that could change come November. Voters in the upcoming general election will consider a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for state lawmakers to receive a salary for the first time in New Mexico’s history. Retired state government attorney Clifford Rees served House Democrats as a technical expert on the proposed amendment during the 30-day legislative session earlier this year and is a proponent of efforts to modernize the Legislature. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Rees joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share his insight on the amendment, discuss the potential amount legislators would receive and talk about what he thinks may have held up past efforts to pay legislators. Rees worked for four different state agencies as an attorney, spending the bulk of his career at the New Mexico Department of Health before retiring as general counsel of the state Department of Finance and Administration in 2005. He has volunteered his time and expertise over the last four years to research and speak on the process to modernize the New Mexico Legislature. While legislators don’t receive a salary, they do receive per diem for meeting attendance, mileage reimbursements and pensions. Rees discusses how their pensions work and says that the constitutional amendment to pay legislators a salary would have no impact on their pensions. Rees argues that paying lawmakers would expand the pool of people who are able to serve and says proponents of the amendment need to make the case that constituents as well as legislators would benefit by its passage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the same interview where he discussed his friendly interactions with current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Republican state Sen. Jay Block’s words regarding the Democratic candidate running to replace her weren’t quite as cordial. A strong backer of GOP candidate Gregg Hull, Block said “my dog would make a better governor than Deb Haaland, by far,” while speaking with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón in the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast. The senator from District 12, which represents Rio Rancho and northwest Albuquerque, Block touted Hull’s tenure as mayor of Rio Rancho and said he would “bring a lot of common sense to the office of governor.” Block was critical of Haaland’s policy positions and how she has handled her campaign. He said he was optimistic about Hull’s chances despite Haaland's large lead in campaign contributions. Block’s tune wasn’t all negative when opining about New Mexico Democrats. Addressing the state of leadership in the Senate, Block said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth did a “phenomenal job” in his position. He said Wirth, who recently announced he is relinquishing the role of majority leader, was willing to work with Republicans and was able to calm the chamber when dealing with contentious issues. Block also praised Democratic Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, who he said has “been incredible for the Senate for eight years” and “has really gained the respect of both sides.” He shared his thoughts on the upcoming meeting of the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s State Central Committee, which will choose a new candidate for lieutenant governor after New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who won the nomination in the June primary, dropped out due to unspecified health concerns. Later in the episode, Block speaks about his current level of support for President Donald Trump. He also shares what legislation he plans to bring forth for the 2027 60-day session, including a renewed push for a New Mexico version of DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world’s first detonation of a nuclear weapon took place on July 16, 1945, in the Jornada del Muerto desert southeast of Socorro, New Mexico. In the decades since the Trinity Test explosion, thousands of New Mexicans have been plagued by illness and cancers related to their over-exposure to radiation. 
 The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed in 1990 to provide payments to individuals who developed cancers and other serious diseases due to exposure to radiation for nuclear testing, but it wasn’t until last year that New Mexicans residents became eligible to receive compensation. On the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Tina Cordova speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss her decades of work with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium to fight for compensation and acknowledgment for New Mexico’s downwinders. Cordova, who co-founded the organization with the late Fred Tyler in 2005, has made it her life’s work to advocate for New Mexicans who have suffered negative health effects due to radiation exposure from nuclear testing. Since New Mexicans became eligible to receive claims under RECA last year, Cordova said about 4,000 people have applied for compensation and about 500 claims of $100,000 have been paid out. She said it is estimated that there could be 50,000 eligible claimants in the state. Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico recently announced a bill that would expand RECA. The proposed measure would extend the deadline to apply for claims, broaden the locations for eligible claimants, increase the amount of compensation for each claimant from $100,000 to $150,000, and broaden the list of qualifying cancers. 
 Cordova shares her perspective on how the story of New Mexico’s downwinders has gained traction over the years and speaks on the work that is still ahead. She also talks about why she felt it took so long for New Mexicans to become eligible for compensation through RECA. Visit trinitydownwinders.com for assistance on how to apply for RECA compensation. Cordova will be involved in a couple of upcoming events related to the Trinity Test. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, she will be among the speakers at an interfaith remembrance of the Trinity Test with Archbishop John Wester at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium will hold its annual candlelight vigil at Tularosa Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to those who have died due to the negative impact of exposure to radiation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A local who was elected Santa Fe County sheriff in 2018, Adan Mendoza’s eventful two-term tenure has included efforts to improve staffing, managing the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple stints under the national media microscope. Mendoza’s time in office will concluded at the end of the year when he will likely be succeeded by current Santa Fe police Chief Paul Joye, who won the Democratic primary in June and faces no Republican challenger in the November general election. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Mendoza joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to reflect on his time in office, discuss his department’s involvement in the Rust case, offer his thoughts on his likely successor and share his plans for the future. Mendoza, who has worked in law enforcement for 27 years, begins by discussing efforts to modernize the department’s policies. He also talks about the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement. Asked how the department has been able to improve its staffing levels and retention, Mendoza points to implementing a “4/8/40” work schedule that gives employees full-time pay for working four eight-hour days each week, allowing for an extra eight hours of administrative leave to devote to their mental or physical well-being. Mendoza then shares his support for Joye, who he endorsed in the primary race for county sheriff, and discusses his own future. He said he’s interested in the role of Santa Fe’s police chief and will be applying for the position. Chacón later asks Mendoza to offer his thoughts on the recent story that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration knowingly allowed New Mexico to be flooded with fentanyl. Mendoza is then asked about his time in the national spotlight as his department worked the case for the on-set shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the discovery of the bodies of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their Santa Fe home. Chacón brings up a judge’s dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter case of Alec Baldwin, largely over a box of ammunition that was entered into evidence under a different case number than all other evidence related to the shooting of Hutchins. Mendoza said he bears responsibility for the handling of the evidence since it took place under his department. Mendoza is finally asked what he will miss the most and least when he moves on from his sheriff’s role, and shares thanks to the community for the chance to serve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even before legislation was passed to form New Mexico’s “truth commission” to investigate the activities and potential crimes of Jeffrey Epstein in the state, Marianna Anaya said she spent time digging through the publicly released files related to the financier and convicted sex offender. With a background in advocacy for sexual assault survivors, the Albuquerque state representative said a pitfall in the past was that people didn’t listen to survivors, thinking allegations were “too out of this world to believe.” With what’s been learned through the Epstein files, Anaya said “the things that happened to survivors are so horrific that there’s nothing that’s off the table.” In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast,” Anaya joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Clara Bates to discuss how she became one of the four members of the bipartisan truth commission, the progress of the panel so far, and the breadth of potential crimes committed in the state related to the Epstein case. Anaya shares her history as an organizer, activist and lobbyist, and how decision to run for the state House came in the spur of the moment following a narrow defeat of paid family and medical leave legislation she had been supporting. The Democrat then speaks on her involvement in the truth commission, and how her advocacy for victims of sexual assault has informed her work on the panel. She says she’s proud of the work of the bipartisan commission, which she said has avoided making their work political and has remained focused on seeking justice for survivors. Bates asks Anaya about The New Mexican’s recent reporting on Epstein having a private ambulance at Zorro Ranch and possibly a dental office. Anaya said there has been testimony from survivors that some woke up in medical settings in New Mexico. She then goes over the types of potential crimes committed in the state related to Epstein, including sex trafficking, medical crimes and financial crimes. Anaya is also asked about the one year the commission has to come up with a full report for the Epstein investigation. She said members have never thought one year was enough time, and that she hopes the Legislature will be able to extend the life of the commission at the end of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Sen. David Gallegos won a three-man race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor earlier this month and will be the running mate for gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull on the GOP ticket in November’s general election. A longtime resident of the town of Eunice in the Permian Basin, Gallegos said if he and Hull win he’d use the office to bolster the voices of rural New Mexicans. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Gallegos joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to chat about the governor’s race, lay out his priorities and discuss his position on President Donald Trump’s policies. Gallegos, who worked for 30 years in the natural gas industry and is now a manager for his family’s construction company, said he is developing a good relationship with Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho. He said the two bring a balance to the GOP ticket, with Hull offering a perspective on urban New Mexico and Gallegos bringing an understanding of a rural way of life. Gallegos offers his perspective the situation regarding the Democratic ticket, which saw Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver recently suspend her campaign for lieutenant governor due to health issues. A handful of people are now vying to step in and be the running mate for Deb Haaland. Chacón later questions Gallegos about strife among the state’s Republican Party leadership, and how it impacts the party’s candidates. Gallegos also shares his thoughts on Trump, saying New Mexico Democrats have prevented the state from receiving federal funds due to being uncooperative with the administration’s policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.