Around the Roundhouse

NM CD2: Republican Greg Cunningham on the border, Trump, and big money in the race

All eyes will be on the midterm elections come November as control of Congress is up for grabs, and a national spotlight will once again be on New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. Republican Greg Cunningham is vying to unseat incumbent Democrat Gabe Vasquez, who defeated Yvette Herrell in tightly contested races in 2022 and 2024. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Cunningham joins Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss the high-profile race, his professional background and his positions on issues impacting New Mexicans. He shares how he decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps and what drew him to become a member of the Albuquerque Police Department. Chacón asks Cunningham about his thoughts on some of President Donald Trump’s policies, including the creation of a military border zone along the U.S.-Mexico border. Cunningham also talks about Trump’s tariffs and tax policies, and his views on the war with Iran. Cunningham is asked to share his thoughts on Vasquez’s performance during his two terms in office, and explains how he differs from the incumbent. He also discusses the importance of the race and the money that’s expected to pour in to support the two candidates. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Republican nominee Gregg Hull says 'we've got a message for everybody' in race for N.M. governor

From slinging newspapers, to shipping solar cells for the International Space Station, to leading the third-largest city in New Mexico, Gregg Hull’s professional experiences in the state have run the gamut. The former three-term mayor of Rio Rancho is now eyeing New Mexico’s highest office. Hull secured the Republican nomination for governor with a double-digit victory in Tuesday’s primary election and will face Democratic nominee Deb Haaland in November’s general election. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Hull joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his primary win and what his priorities are for the state as he pursues the governor’s seat. Hull says he plans to have his campaign focus on the issues rather than on attacks of his opponent. Public safety, affordability, education and roads are some of his top priorities, he said. Facing an opponent who has higher name recognition as a former congresswoman and interior secretary, Hull says he plans to continue to travel across the state to connect with voters and listen to the issues they are facing in their communities. In speaking about his time as mayor as Rio Rancho, Hull talks about how the growing city has addressed water issues through an aquifer recharge plan that he hopes more commutes along the Rio Grande adopt. Chacón asks Hull about if he will seek an endorsement from President Donald Trump, and how he plans to appeal to independents and Democrats who voted for Sam Bregman, who Haaland defeated in the Democratic primary. Hull also speaks about why he feels he outperformed his primary opponents in Northern New Mexico, and how he thinks he can carry that momentum. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

'I'd like to see more hope': GOP write-in U.S. Senate candidate Larry Marker shares vision for New Mexico

A self-described “America First” candidate for U.S. Senate, Larry Marker first has some work to do to get on November’s general election ballot. The Republican with roots in Hobbs and Roswell needs to get at least 2,531 voters to write his name on the June 2 primary ballot to advance as his party’s official candidate. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Marker joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his views on policy and share thoughts on the state of the Republican Party in New Mexico, which has had challenges putting forth candidates in statewide races. With a professional background in oil and gas production, farming, ranching, manufacturing and construction, Marker says one of his priorities is loosening regulations that he says are hurting small businesses. Marker goes on to share his thoughts on Donald Trump, saying he agrees with many of the president’s policies, including those involving immigration, but that he isn’t sure if he’d get along with Trump on a personal level. Chacón also asks Marker about his feelings toward incumbent Sen. Ben Ray Luján, who is seeking his second term. Marker says he thinks Luján is leaning too hard into the “welfare-type programs” and not doing enough to support a capitalist agenda that promotes economic opportunities. Marker is also asked his position on abortion, and how he feels his stance could impact his electability. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Secretary of state candidate Amanda López Askin touts experience combatting election deniers in N.M.

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District has been one of the most hotly contested seats in the country, drawing a national spotlight in recent races to fill one of the state’s three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Amanda López Askin says she experienced that increased attention firsthand shortly after she took over as county clerk in Doña Ana County, the district’s most populous county, just before the 2018 election. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, López Askin speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón about how she has been dealing with election deniers since 2018 when Democrat Xochitl Torres Small edged Republican Yvette Herrell to win the seat, and why she thinks her time running elections in Doña Ana County has prepared her as she seeks her party’s nomination for New Mexico secretary of state in the June 2 Democratic primary. She is running against Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark as the two vie to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver. Born and raised in Las Cruces, López Askin begins the episode by discussing her background and what led her to decide to run for secretary of state. Before becoming a county clerk, she worked in the mental health field and advocacy in adolescent health and suicide prevention. She also talks about her experience being involved in the local animal rescue community and fostering over 200 dogs, which she said has earned her the nickname of “the Dog Lady” in her community. Chacón asks López Askin about her position on the Republican-backed SAVE Act, and she addresses some misinformation she feels is put forth in discussions about the legislation. López Askin also is asked about criticism over not having results the same night as an election. She responded that “there is no such thing as late election results, there’s accurate results,” adding that she prioritizes “accuracy over expediency” and communicating with the public. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Sen. Harold Pope Jr. says ‘it’s about the people’ in race for N.M. lieutenant governor

A U.S. Air Force veteran and the first African American elected to the New Mexico Senate, Harold Pope Jr. is pursuing a new avenue of leadership as he seeks his party’s nomination for lieutenant governor. The Albuquerque Democrat is running for statewide office for the first time in a race against Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver in the June primary. In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Pope joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share why he decided to run for the position and offer an explanation of how he would approach the role. Pope, who says he recognizes he is an underdog in the race, feels he has a good shot to win and said he will “listen to what people want” and not just whatever his party puts forth when it comes to supporting legislation at the Roundhouse. In a position that is often in the shadow of the governor, Pope also said he would like to take on a more prominent role than past lieutenant governors. Born and raised in Pueblo, Colo., Pope shares his story of entering the Air Force after high school and speaks on his family’s background, which has Northern New Mexico ties. He also talks about his current pursuit of a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University, which he feels will help him in his position as vice chair of the Senate Education Committee. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.