A fresh face in state politics, Cam Crawford was elected vice chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in April and is working to build momentum for Democrats in an already blue state.

On the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, the 20-something firefighter and substitute teacher joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to speak about his background and his goals for the party.

The son of a police officer and a nurse, Crawford said he visited New Mexico as a teen and knew he wanted to live in the state. Crawford now works as a full-time firefighter for Santa Fe County and is a substitute teacher with Santa Fe Public Schools. He also serves on the city of Santa Fe’s public safety committee.

Crawford speaks with Chacón about what drove him to public service and how it informs his politics. He also offers his perspective on the struggles in the state’s public education system, saying “Our teachers are not OK.”

Chacón questions Crawford about friction within state Democratic Party leadership that occurred not long after the election of Sara Attleson as state party chair and Crawford as the vice chair. Julie Rochman, who was elected treasurer, abruptly resigned the month after the election, citing a culture of exclusion. Crawford shared his perspective of the matter and said the party is united in its goals.

One of those goals, Crawford said, is to win back young voters. Crawford noted that the Democratic Party has lost some younger voters in recent years and said one of his priorities is to work to bring them back. So far, he’s held town halls on the campuses of the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University.

Crawford said he also wants to make sure the party has a presence in each one of the state’s 33 counties and to articulate its agenda to support working families.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.