Santa Fe mayoral candidate Justin Greene shares his vision for the city and touts his experience
Santa Fe County Commissioner Justin Greene on Wednesday formally announced his candidacy for the mayor of the city of Santa Fe, becoming the seventh person to enter the race to succeed Mayor Alan Webber. Greene joined Santa Fe New Mexican politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón Thursday for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” in the first of a series of interviews with Santa Fe’s mayoral candidates. Greene, who said he moved to Santa Fe after he finished college 32 years ago, discusses his background in business, architecture and development and how he feels his experiences could help him as mayor. He also shares what he feels his top achievements are 2 ½ years into his time as a county commissioner. Chacón asks Greene to share his thoughts on Webber’s tenure in office and about what makes him stand out from the rest of the candidates who are running to succeed the two-term mayor who has announced he will not pursue another term. In his Wednesday news conference announcing his campaign for mayor, Greene mentioned a south-side investment plan. Chacón asks Greene to speak about the plan, which Greene says would involve the creation of a south-side plaza and mercado. Chacón also asks Greene how he’d go about creating more affordable housing in the city, what his plans would be to address homelessness, and what he feels should be done with the toppled Soldiers’ Monument on the Plaza.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Former N.M. House Speaker Brian Egolf on life out of politics, Trump, public safety and red chile
A progressive Democrat from Santa Fe, Brian Egolf served in the New Mexico state Legislature from 2009 to 2022 and was the House speaker for five years. He chose not to run again at the end of his last term and has been out of politics for the past three years. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Santa Fe New Mexican lead politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón catches up with Egolf to see what he misses and doesn’t miss about life as a legislator. The 48-year-old attorney shares how a road trip to national parks with his daughters helped sway his decision not to run for re-election. Chacón also asks Egolf if he would ever consider running for public office again. Egolf also answers questions about what he’s most proud of from his time in the Legislature, how he would respond to criticism that he pushed New Mexico too far to the left of the political spectrum, what he thinks about how lawmakers addressed public safety issues in the most recent 60-day session, and what has troubled him the most so far about President Donald Trump’s second term. Asked about his thoughts on the governor’s race, Egolf speaks on his 20-year history with former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. He’s also asked to share his thoughts on the legacy of current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Egolf closes the interview by discussing which part of the state produces the best red chile and shares a secret about what restaurant serves the best red chile in New Mexico.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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‘No Kings Day’ preview with Indivisible Santa Fe member Dr. Heidi Li Feldman
Demonstrations against President Donald Trump have taken place across the country in the first months of his second term in office as citizens opposed to his policies have protested against what they call authoritarian actions. On Saturday, June 14, a nationwide “No Kings” protest is planned in nearly 2,000 locations, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The mass demonstration falls on the same day as Flag Day and a military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army. It’s also Trump’s birthday. On the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Dr. Heidi Li Feldman joins host Daniel J. Chacón to discuss No Kings Day and share her thoughts on Trump’s second term so far. Professor of Law, Emeritus at Georgetown University Law Center, Feldman speaks about what has concerned her most about Trump’s actions and how she feels the court system has done in upholding the rule of law. Feldman, an active member of Indivisible Santa Fe, also talks about the organization and shares the aim of the No Kings Day demonstrations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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State Rep. Rebecca Dow sees an opening for Republicans to gain ground in New Mexico
Rebecca Dow defeated a Democratic incumbent to win House District 38 in November to return to the New Mexico Legislature after an unsuccessful run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022. Dow’s win was the only flip of a state House seat in 2024, but she sees opportunities for Republicans to gain more ground in New Mexico in coming elections. Dow, who lives in Truth or Consequences, joins Santa Fe New Mexican reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss her House seat victory, the race for governor, her thoughts on the 2025 legislative session and what legislation she plans to bring back for next year’s session. Dow shares her feeling that the priorities of progressive Democrats in control of the Legislature don’t align with the values of most New Mexicans. She talks about her thoughts on public safety issues facing the state and New Mexico, including the governor’s decision to mobilize the National Guard to help tackle crime in Albuquerque.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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State Auditor Joseph Maestas speaks on Santa Fe's audits, a DOGE-like proposal and funding issues
Joseph Maestas has spent much of his life in public service, with time as a city councilor in Española and Santa Fe, the mayor of Española and a member of the Public Regulation Commission. He says his current job, state auditor, has been the most rewarding as he works to safeguard taxpayer money across the state. In the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse,” Maestas joins Santa Fe New Mexican senior political reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his background, his current role as auditor and his plans for the future. Serving in his third year as state auditor, Maestas talks about some of the issues his office is facing, including a contracting public accounting industry and a budget he feels falls short in allowing his department to perform its duties at the level he would like. Maestas shares his thoughts on a DOGE-like proposal brought forth in the latest legislative session. He also talks about what’s been going on at the federal level, saying the Trump administration’s firing of federal inspectors general places more responsibility on state governments in battling fraud, waste and abuse. Chacón asks Maestas about the city of Santa Fe’s standing as it has worked to catch up from years of late audits. He also inquires about a recently announced special audit into Mora County amid allegations of financial improprieties, including an estimated $2.7 million in unaccounted public funds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
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