Around the Roundhouse

New Mexico state Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, was a co-sponsor of a contentious paid family and medical leave bill that stalled out in the Senate Finance Committee during this year's 60-day legislative session after it had passed through the House. A different paid family and medical leave bill last year passed the Senate but narrowly failed in the House. 

Chandler joined Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Margaret O'Hara for the latest episode of "Around the Roundhouse" to discuss the changes and compromises that were implemented to the most recent version of the bill and shares her thoughts on the path forward. 

Chandler talks about House Bill 8, a public safety package with criminal competency reforms that passed during the session, and the issues it addresses. She also offers her thoughts on the possibility of a special session to further tackle public safety issues, which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hinted at at the conclusion of the 60-day session. 

O'Hara closes by asking Chandler about what she will focus on during the legislative interim. Some of the issues she mentioned include juvenile crime and juvenile justice, and a regulatory framework about how artificial intelligence is used to make consequential decisions. 

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New Mexico received a No. 1 ranking in MIT’s Election Performance Index last year, a mark Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver takes pride in. She won a special election in 2016 after former Secretary of State Dianna Duran resigned amid fraud and embezzlement charges, and Toulouse Oliver has worked to rebuild the public’s trust in the office in the ensuing years.

She joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss election integrity in New Mexico, concerns about artificial intelligence, the state’s switch to semi-open primaries, and more.

Toulouse Oliver shares how she became involved in politics and the impact working on former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s campaign had on her young career. She also discusses how conspiracy theories and misinformation have impacted her office’s job since she became secretary of state, and shares her thoughts on the debate over voter ID requirements at the polls.

Chacón closes the conversations by asking Toulouse Oliver about her proudest accomplishments as secretary of state and what she plans to do after her term ends.

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Howie Morales served 11 years in the New Mexico Senate and has been lieutenant governor since 2019. In the latest episode of "Around the Roundhouse," Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón speaks to Morales about his role in the Roundhouse working with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and his thoughts on a possible run for the Democratic nomination for governor. Morales discusses his decision between a run for governor and applying to be the president of Western New Mexico University, which is in his hometown of Silver City. He talks about what he learned from his previous attempt at running for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014, and his thoughts on the two candidates that have formally announced their campaigns so far — former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. After asking Morales about his opinion on this year's 60-day legislative session and a possible special session, Chacón touches on some lighter topics including Morales' reputation as being one of the nicest people in state politics and his sports background.

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A freshman state senator from Rio Rancho, Republican Jay Block made headlines during his first legislative session by introducing a plan to create an office in New Mexico similar to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. In 2022, Block was also in the spotlight when he ran to be the GOP candidate in the governor’s race. He recently joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss what lies ahead for his DOGE-like idea and to share his thoughts on the 2026 governor’s race, including if he plans to run again. 

The interview includes Block discussing his military background, which spanned more than 20 years as a nuclear weapons officer. He also shares his experience when he volunteered for a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2005-06, which he describes as his best and worst tour in the military. 

Block is asked about his thoughts on potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, what it was like in his first term as a state senator serving in the minority party, and how he feels about the candidates that have declared for the governor’s race so far.

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Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman formally launched his bid for New Mexico governor Thursday in Las Vegas, N.M. The Albuquerque Democrat joins host Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss his decision to join the race and share his vision for the state.

Bregman spoke about how he plans to balance his role as DA with campaigning for the state’s top office. Chacón also asks Bregman about former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the only other person to declare for the race so far, and how he plans to compete with Haaland’s significant fundraising lead.

Bregman has been a supporter of stricter penalties for juvenile crime. During the interview, he offers a critical assessment of lawmakers' handling of the issue during the recent 60-day legislative session and talks about how he would try to spur progress as governor.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently declared a state of emergency in Albuquerque and said the level of crime in the city warrants the assistance of the New Mexico National Guard. Bregman shares his thoughts on the move and talks about what he thinks it will take to get a better handle on crime in the city.

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New Mexico was in the national headlines over the weekend as a suspected act of arson resulted in a scorched entryway at the state Republican Party’s Albuquerque headquarters. Local and federal agencies are conducting an investigation into the incident. 

Amy Barela, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, spoke with Santa Fe New Mexican state government reporter Daniel J. Chacón about the apparent act of arson and the current tumultuous political climate during the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse.” 

Also in the episode, Barela discusses her path to politics and what led her to become the state’s Republican Party chairwoman. The Otero County business owner shares her thoughts on President Donald Trump’s actions so far in his second term and about potential federal funding cuts to the state. Barela also touches on the recent 60-day legislative session and gives her take on what needs to be done to address crime in New Mexico.

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The 2025 New Mexico legislative session is in the books and the politicians, staffers and lobbyists have cleared out of the Roundhouse. On the final day, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican legislators were critical of what they said was a lack of public safety legislation to come out of the session.

Santa Fe New Mexican columnist Milan Simonich appears on the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to share his take on what went down. Guest host and New Mexican state government and policy reporter Margaret O’Hara chats with Simonich to learn his biggest takeaways.

Simonich offers a critical view of Democratic leadership, saying there seemed to be a lack of focus on making progress on some of the key issues that were highlighted heading into the session, including public safety. He says a special session, which the governor and some Republicans have called for, would be a waste of time unless there’s a real strategy that’s been laid out in advance.

It wasn’t quite all negative, though. Simonich closes by talking about a couple of positive developments he saw come out of the session.

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Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, is in charge of steering the ship when it comes to setting the agenda in the chamber and deciding what bills make it to the floor during New Mexico's legislative session. He joined New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón on Thursday morning to offer his assessment on what’s been accomplished in this year’s 60-day session and what legislation may still be considered before the session comes to a close at noon Saturday. 

Wirth, who has been the Senate majority leader for nine years, talks about the importance of collaboration in getting legislation heard and passed, and discusses his relationship with Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer. He also shares how his job as a mediator helps him in his legislative role.

Wirth is asked about his level of satisfaction regarding what bills have made it through to the governor’s desk so far, and responds to criticism levied by the governor and Republicans when it comes to crime legislation.

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Nicole Chavez’s life changed forever in 2015 when her teenage son Jaydon was killed in a drive-by shooting. The tragedy and ensuing drawn-out judicial process in prosecuting those responsible for her son’s death sparked her interest in advocacy and politics. The first-term Republican state representative joins “Around the Roundhouse” to share how the experience has led her on a path to fighting for stiffer penalties for juvenile offenders and also for stronger rehabilitation programs so those who are released from incarceration are integrated into society rather than falling back to a life of crime. 

Chavez also talks about being a rare Republican representative in the Albuquerque area, why she switched from a Democrat to Republican, and what she’s found surprising while serving in her first term in office. She addresses the crime bills she has sponsored during the 60-day session, as well as her disappointment in what she feels is a lack of progress during the session to produce laws that will reduce crime in New Mexico.

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Sen. Leo Jaramillo has been in the New Mexico Legislature since 2021 and serves as vice chair of the Senate Rules Committee. He’s had a winding path through his professional career, starting as a TV news writer and producer before becoming a teacher and now a staff operations manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Jaramillo joins “Around the Roundhouse” to talk about his journey through life, including how being involved on cheer teams gave him a boost of confidence when he was younger and how a teacher helped inspire him to become involved in politics. He also discusses the current legislative session and the lowrider legislation he is sponsoring.

In the second segment, host Daniel Chacón speaks with fellow reporter Margaret O’Hara about potential federal funding cuts and how they may affect Medicaid and school meals programs in New Mexico, and about what state lawmakers are doing to prepare for the potential impact.

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