Around the Roundhouse

The Santa Fe New Mexican
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Government
  • Updated Weekly

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

  1. 7h ago

    'This was never a legit job’: Jacob Candelaria rips Rep. Romero's DA Office role, files complaints

    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.

  2. Aug 27

    Forward Party candidate Harry Montoya discusses run for Santa Fe County magistrate judge

    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.

  3. Aug 20

    Republican Ramona Goolsby shares her priorities in campaign for N.M. secretary of state

    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.

  4. Aug 13

    From opioid settlement transparency to banking deserts, think tank CEO talks policy issues in N.M.

    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.

  5. Aug 7

    Former game warden Michael Perry touts decades of experience in campaign for state land commissioner

    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.

  6. Jul 30

    New Mexicans to decide if state legislators will receive salary; proponent says ‘now is the time’

    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.

  7. Jul 24

    State Sen. Jay Block praises Hull, belittles Haaland in N.M. governor's race

    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.

  8. Jul 17

    On Trinity Test anniversary, downwinders advocate Tina Cordova continues fight for New Mexicans

    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.

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Ratings & Reviews

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About

The Santa Fe New Mexican’s weekly podcast hosted by state government and lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón features the policies, politics and personalities at the state Capitol during New Mexico's 2025 legislative session.

Information

  • Creator
    The Santa Fe New Mexican
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Santa Fe New Mexican
  • Show Website
    Around the Roundhouse

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