>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, ANALYZING THE 2022 ELECTION.

DEMOCRATS HAD A STRONG SHOWING ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH A KEY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FLIPPING BLUE AND... >> Mello: THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED, REALLY, SINCE THE 1940'S.

>> Gene: PERSPECTIVE ON A NEW PLAN IN LOS ALAMOS TO EXPAND PRODUCTION OF A MAJOR COMPONENT IN NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST GENE GRANT.

JUST AS WE SUSPECTED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2 IS STILL THE RACE WE ARE THINKING ABOUT, NOW DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION.

AS WE TAPE THIS ON THURSDAY, DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER GABE VASQUEZ HAS A CLEAR VICTORY AND HERRELL HAS CONCEDED HER SEAT.

THAT IS WITH VASQUEZ WINNING BY A MARGIN OF JUST OVER 1,000 VOTES.

IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES I'LL ASK THE LINE HOW MR. VASQUEZ WAS ABLE TO PULL THIS OFF.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO ANALYZE TWO DECISIVE WINS FOR DEMOCRATS IN OTHER CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

IN CD1, MELANIE STANSBURY HELD OFF A PUSH FROM REPUBLICAN MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES WINNING BY A MARGIN OF 12%.

I'LL ASK THE PANEL WHY THE GOP COULDN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT DISTRICT'S EXPANSION INTO CONSERVATIVE EASTERN NEW MEXICO.

DISTRICT 3 INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ HELD OFF CHALLENGER ALEXIS MARTINEZ JOHNSON FOR A SECOND TIME.

WINNING BY 16 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

OUR PANELISTS AND I EXPLORE HOW BOTH CAMPAIGNS APPROACHED THAT CONTEST BUT WE START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM ENDED THE NIGHT WITH FOUR MORE YEARS IN HER POCKET.

THAT IS AFTER SOME POLLING HAD PREDICTED A MUCH CLOSER RACE.

THE GOVERNOR ENDED UP WITH 44,000 MORE VOTES THAN MARK RONCHETTI AND A SIX POINT WIN.

AS A RESULT THAT VALIDATES SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN TACTICS WHILE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GAME PLAN FROM MR. RONCHETTI'S TEAM.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

>> WELCOME TO THE LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR OUR FIRST IN-PERSON LINE PANEL IN MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

IT IS A GOOD ONE.

CEO GIRL SCOUTS OF NEW MEXICO AND FORMER NEW MEXICO CABINET MEMBER, REBECCA LATHAM IS WITH US.

ALSO HERE IS DAN MCKAY, REPORTER FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL WHO DID SOME GREAT WORK DURING THIS CYCLE.

AND FORMER NEW MEXICO STATE SENATOR DEDE FELDMAN.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

WE ARE FOCUSING EXCLUSIVELY ON THE ELECTION THIS WEEK HERE ON THE LINE.

WE START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THIS ONE ENDED A LOT EARLIER THAN SOME FOLKS PREDICTED WITH GOP CHALLENGER MARK RONCHETTI CONCEDING THE RACE BEFORE 11:00 ON ELECTION NIGHT.

DURING OUR COVERAGE, FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL FOLEY WAS HERE AND PUT IT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR FAILING THE MESSAGING BATTLE IN SEVERAL KEY RACES.

REBECCA, I ASK YOU THIS INCLUDING THIS ONE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, IN GENERAL TERMS, MR. RONCHETTI'S CAMP WENT WRONG.

SOMETHING DIDN'T QUITE HOLD OR BITE, I SHOULD SAY, AND THEN HOLD FOR HIS MESSAGING.

>> Rebecca: I THINK HE JUST GOT PIGEON HOLED INTO THIS LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND THEN ABORTION.

IT IS LIKE ONCE WE LEARNED WHAT WAS REALLY TRACKING WITH NEW MEXICO VOTERS, ESPECIALLY NEW MEXICO WOMEN, IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR HIM TO BACK OUT OF THAT.

I THINK WHAT HE DID IN TRYING TO SAY, WE ARE GOING TO DO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND BRING IT TO THE VOTERS, WAS HIS WAY OF SAYING, EVEN IF I AM ELECTED I CAN'T GET THIS THROUGH ANYWAY BUT YOU CAN'T SAY THAT.

I THINK HE WAS PUT IN A REALLY DIFFICULT POSITION.

ALSO THERE IS A LOT OF MUCK IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN NEW MEXICO SO HE DIDN'T HAVE THE BEST GUIDANCE OR BEST BACKING.

SO, I THINK -- >> Gene: THERE WASN'T LOT OF SUPPORT FOR MR. RONCHETTI FROM THE REST OF THE GOP, WAS THERE?

>> Rebecca: NO, STARTING WITH THE CONVENTION AND THE FACT THAT MARK RONCHETTI TOLD ALL OF THE DELEGATION, DON'T VOTE FOR ME, LET'S GET MORE REPUBLICANS AND THIS, YOU KNOW, LIKE VOTE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

AND IT WAS -- I THINK HE HAD A VERY TOUGH ROAD TO HOE BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK HE RAN A GREAT CAMPAIGN.

I THINK HE GOT CLOSER THAN ANYONE EXPECTED HIM TO GET AND HE DESERVES SOME CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> Gene: SENATOR, INTERESTING A QUOTE HERE FROM MILAN SIMONICH.

YOU KNOW HIM, OF COURSE.

FOR AN EXPERIENCED TELEVISION PERFORMER, HE BEING MR. RONCHETTI, HE FAILED TO MAKE A CLEAR CASE FOR HIMSELF.

LUJAN GRISHAM CAUGHT A BREAK.

RONCHETTI'S NEGATIVES OUTPACED HER OWN.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> Dede: YES AND I FEEL THAT HE RAN AN EXTREMELY NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS BASED ON FEAR PRIMARILY.

I MEAN, HIS TV ADVERTISING ABOUT THE EARLY RELEASE OF A MAN WHO THEN WENT ON, REALLY, WAS SHADES OF WILLIE HORTON AND THE LEE ATWATER REPUBLICAN APPROACH TO BASE EVERYTHING ON FEAR ABOUT CRIME, ABOUT INFLATION AND IT JUST DIDN'T STICK.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE TURNED OFF BY THAT KIND OF CAMPAIGNING AND MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM HAD A POSITIVE MESSAGE ABOUT WHAT SHE HAD ACCOMPLISHED IN TERMS OF EDUCATION AND IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE, IN TERMS OF THE PANDEMIC, SAVING LIVES AND SPARING NEW MEXICANS, YOU KNOW, CUTTING TAXES, GIVING REBATES.

SHE HAD A RECORD TO RUN ON AND IT WAS A GOOD ONE.

HE DID NOT HAVE A RECORD AND DID NOT SAY WHAT HE WOULD DO.

INSTEAD OF JUST SAID, AIN'T IT AWFUL AND IT IS HER FAULT.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK YOU TO PICK UP ON SOMETHING REBECCA MENTIONED AS WELL.

MR. RONCHETTI NEEDED TO HAVE SOMETHING FROM WOMEN THIS CYCLE.

WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE HE COULD HAVE DONE AFTER HE GOT BURIED BY THAT PASTOR SMOTHERMAN REVELATION?

WAS THERE ANYTHING HE COULD HAVE DONE IN HINDSIGHT TO GET PAST THAT?

>> Dede: THAT WAS UNFORCED ERROR ON HIS WATCH AND IT WOULD BE TOUGH, BUT I THINK TO RUN -- TO RUN A POSITIVE CAMPAIGN ON WHAT HE WOULD DO RATHER THAN AN AIN'T IT AWFUL AND YOU SHOULD FEAR FOR THE VERY WORST.

>> Gene: HE NEVER FLIPPED THE SCRIPT.

>> Dede: NO.

>> Gene: DAN, INTERESTINGLY THERE ARE FOLKS OUT THERE, THE ECONOMY WAS A BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, YOU SEE ALL THE POLLING EVEN HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

I GOT TO WONDER FROM YOUR VIEW, DID MR. RONCHETTI HIT THAT HARD ENOUGH AND WAS THERE ANYTHING THERE FOR NEW MEXICANS?

WAS THIS A MOVEABLE NEEDLE SO TO SPEAK, THE ECONOMY HERE?

I GOT TO INCLUDE INFLATION IN THERE AS WELL.

>> Dan: YEAH, I THINK SO.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY ALL KINDS OF FACTORS THAT PLAY IN THIS RACE.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, A PRESIDENT BEING IN THE WHITE HOUSE GENERALLY, OR EXCUSE ME, A DEMOCRAT IN THE WHITE HOUSE GENERALLY IS GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS AT THE MIDTERM OR VICE VERSA, SO I THINK THAT WAS A BENEFIT TO RONCHETTI.

I THINK THE ROE V. WADE DECISION WAS A BENEFIT TO LUJAN GRISHAM BUT IN THE END HE DID COME WITHIN SIX POINTS.

THAT IS A MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE RACE THAN THERE WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.

AND I THINK IT IS PRETTY CLEAR VOTERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THEY CERTAINLY ARE SENSITIVE TO INFLATION, GAS PRICES, YOU KNOW.

HE TRIED TO HARNESS THOSE ISSUES TO HIS BENEFIT AND HE JUST DIDN'T GET ALL THE WAY THERE BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY A COMPETITIVE RACE.

>> Gene: INTERESTINGLY, MR. RONCHETTI WAS THREE POINTS BEHIND THE GOVERNOR AND THEN HE GOT AN ENDORSEMENT FROM DONALD TRUMP AND THEN IT FELL TO LIKE SIX POINTS AND IT FINISHED OUT RIGHT AROUND SIX POINTS OR EVEN A LITTLE MORE.

I AM CURIOUS YOUR TAKE ON THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

>> Rebecca: I OFTEN REFER TO NEW MEXICO AS BIZARRO WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS.

TRUMP IS ENDORSING CANDIDATES EVERYWHERE ELSE AND IT GIVES THEM A HUGE BOOST AND TRUMP IS ENDORSING CANDIDATES HERE AND IT IS NOT DOING THAT HERE.

AND I THINK THAT MR. RONCHETTI REALLY DID TRY TO SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM DONALD TRUMP ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SENATE RACE.

I DO, HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO ADDRESS, THOUGH, I THINK IT IS JUST INTERESTING TO ME THAT HOW WE CAN SEE THE SAME COMMERCIALS AND SEE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS BASED ON OUR OWN EXPERIENCES.

TO THE SENATOR'S POINT ABOUT RUNNING A FEARFUL CAMPAIGN, YOU KNOW, BASED ON SCARE TACTICS, I FELT THAT COULD HAVE GONE BOTH WAYS.

I FEEL LIKE BOTH OF THEM USED A LOT OF SCARE TACTICS BUT WHAT I SAW THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME, LIKE ON ELECTION NIGHT, I AM A SPORTS MOM SO I USE A LOT OF SPORTS ANALOGIES.

AND WHEN THE GOVERNOR STEPPED UP TO THE PODIUM TO ACCEPT THE VICTORY, I WAS REALLY KIND OF TURNED OFF BY HER NANNY NANNY BOOBOO.

THAT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FLAG ON THE PLAY.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVE CELEBRATION.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TAUNTING.

WE TEACH OUR KIDS TO BE BETTER AND LIKE OUR COACH SAYS TO OUR KIDS, WHEN YOU GET TO THE END ZONE, ACT LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE.

I WAS JUST A LITTLE PUT OFF.

WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO HEAR WAS A MESSAGE OF, WOW, 48% OF YOU VOTED AGAINST ME.

I FEEL LIKE THERE IS MORE THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER THAN WHAT SEPARATES US.

I AM GOING TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR THAT IS GOING TO BRING US TOGETHER.

BUT SHE DIDN'T.

SHE SAID THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST ME ARE HORRIBLE AWFUL PEOPLE AND OUR VICTORY REPRESENTS THAT WE HAVE GOOD OVER BAD.

YOU DON'T TELL HALF OF YOUR CONSTITUENCY THAT THEY ARE BAD.

THAT JUST WAS TO ME -- AGAIN, LIKE I UNDERSTAND WHAT RESONATES WITH ME DOESN'T RESONATE WITH THE SENATOR BUT I WANTED TO SEE A LITTLE MORE UNIFYING MESSAGE.

>> Dede: JUST ON THAT POINT.

I AGREE SHE WENT OVERBOARD THERE.

BUT LISTEN TO RONCHETTI'S CONCESSION SPEECH ABOUT HOW HE WAS WALKING GOD'S PATH AND THE PEOPLE -- AND NOW NEW MEXICO WILL BE TAKING ANOTHER PATH, NOT GOD'S PATH, BUT ANOTHER PATH AND HE JUST WISHED THEM WELL.

SO, I THINK -- THERE IS BLAME TO GO AROUND HERE AND BOTH OF THEM COULD HAVE DONE BETTER.

>> Gene: DAN, A LOT OF MONEY WAS SPENT IN THIS RACE.

RONCHETTI RAISED OVER NINE MILLION.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR A CHALLENGER AROUND HERE.

A LOT OF MONEY.

IT CAN'T BE THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR ENOUGH MESSAGES.

AFTER THIS RACE, WHERE ARE WE NOW WITH GUBERNATORIAL RACE?

NEW HIGH WATER MARK.

WE EXPECT MORE MONEY AT THIS POINT?

ARE WE GOING TO FALL BACK TO A MORE MELLOW RACE NEXT TIME?

>> Dan: IT CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE THE RACES GET INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE.

THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE IN THESE RACES.

THERE IS ALSO, IT IS BIG BUSINESS.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, CONSULTING COMPANIES THAT ARE BASED AROUND RUNNING ELECTIONS EVERY YEAR.

AND SO, YES, CERTAINLY, IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE RACE.

RONCHETTI EVEN OUTRAISED THE GOVERNOR IN CERTAIN CRITICAL PERIODS DOWN THE STRETCH BUT SHE OBVIOUSLY HAD A HEAD START HAVING BEEN IN OFFICE FOR FOUR YEARS, BUT, YES, THESE ARE EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGNS AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE.

>> Gene: 12-AND-A-HALF MILLION FOR THE GOVERNOR.

AGAIN, SENATOR, THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> Dede: WELL, AND THE OUTSIDE MONEY.

THERE WAS 11.3 MILLION SPENT BY THE DEMOCRATIC FORCES A STRONGER NEW MEXICO AND THEN THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, THEY SPENT SIX MILLION.

SO, I MEAN, IT IS REALLY GETTING UP THERE, BUT IT IS NOT AS EXPENSIVE AS IN OTHER STATES.

>> Gene: YEAH, FOR PERSPECTIVE, EXACTLY RIGHT.

REBECCA, I AM CURIOUS AGAIN.

FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WORK TO DO AND PICKING UP THE PIECES AND MONEY IS A BIG PART OF THAT.

ARE THERE FOLKS IN PLACE NOW WHO CAN RAISE THIS KIND OF MONEY AGAIN AFTER SUCH A DEFEAT?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

SOMETHING DOESN'T SEEM QUITE CLICKING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS.

>> Rebecca: I FEEL LIKE MARK RONCHETTI WAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S BEST SHOT AS FAR AS A FUNDRAISER.

PERSONALLY, AND I WILL SAY THIS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO ARE NOW NOT AFFILIATED OR NOW REGISTERED AS INDEPENDENTS, THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERSHIP IN NEW MEXICO IS JUST NOT CUTTING IT.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED LEADERS, WE NEED TWO -- NOT TWO.

WE NEED MULTIPLE HEALTHY PARTIES.

I THINK CANADA HAS FIVE MAJOR PARTIES.

WE NEED A LOT OF MAJOR PARTIES BUT LIKE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WE ARE, A SHIFT IN SUCH A HUGE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIALS, LIKE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A BALANCE FOR A WHILE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE EVER GET BACK THERE AND THIS REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY KNOW HOW TO GET US BACK.

>> Gene: I DON'T WANT YOU TO SPEAK FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT WHEN YOU SEE THIS AS A STRONG DEMOCRAT, SENATOR, HAPPY DAYS FOR DEMOCRATS, KNOWING YOUR OTHER SIDE JUST DOESN'T HAVE A BENCH OR MONEY OR COHESION?

THERE IS A LOT OF MISSING PIECES THERE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> Dede: YEAH, BUT IF YOU HAVE A LARGE MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE, A LARGE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY, THERE ARE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACTIONS THERE.

AND ALSO IN SOME WAYS WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALL REPUBLICAN MINORITY, THEY HARDEN.

THEY HARDEN AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COMPROMISE IN ANY RESPECT AND BECAUSE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL SETUP IN THE LEGISLATION, THEY CAN SLOW THINGS DOWN AND, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER HOW MANY THERE ARE.

IF THERE IS ONE PERSON THAT IS WILLING TO FILIBUSTER FOR TWO HOURS, THREE HOURS, FOUR HOURS, BECAUSE THEY ARE MAD AT THE DEMOCRATS, THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT.

SO, THERE NEEDS TO BE -- WE NEED SOME KIND OF REALIGNMENT HERE.

WE NEED SOME REFORMS THAT EASE PARTISANSHIP AND MAKE IT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER ON THOSE THINGS THAT THEY AGREE ON AND THERE ARE MANY THAT ARE AGREED UPON.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

THANKS TO THE LINE OPINION PANEL.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE AT THE TABLE FOR DISCUSSION ON THE RACE NAIL BITING UPSET IN CD 2.

INTERESTING RACE DOWN THERE AND I'LL ASK WHERE THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS IN DISTRICTS 1 AND 3 WENT WRONG AS WELL.

>> Mello: WE DON'T KNOW HOW NOT TO RESPECT THE VIOLENCE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, THE DEATH-ORIENTED SOLUTION TO HUMAN RELATIONS AND IT HARMS OUR ABILITY TO THROW OURSELVES WHOLEHEARTEDLY INTO THE SOCIAL INNOVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION THAT WE REALLY NEED.

>> Gene: BOTH CANDIDATES IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2 ARE ACKNOWLEDGING A MAJOR UPSET.

ACCORDING TO UNOFFICIAL DATA FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, DEMOCRAT DAVE VASQUEZ HAS AN ADVANTAGE OF JUST OVER 1000 VOTES, AS YOU PROBABLY HEARD, OVER REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT YVETTE HERRELL.

NOW, THAT PUSHED VICTOR TO DECLARE VICTORY WEDNESDAY AND MS. HERRELL HAS CONCEDED HER SEAT.

ARE YOU SURPRISED MS. HERRELL ISN'T PUSHING FOR A RECOUNT, EVEN GIVEN HER DENIAL OF THE 2020 ELECTION, GOT TO THROW THAT IN THERE, YOU KNOW.

1000 PLUS VOTES IS NOT A WHOLE LOT.

ARE YOU SURPRISED?

>> DAN: I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT SHE CONCEDED QUICKLY.

HER HISTORY IN 2018, I DON'T RECALL HER CONCEDING QUICKLY AT ALL AND THERE WAS SOME TALK OF LITIGATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THIS WAS JUST A RAZOR THIN MARGIN BUT APPARENTLY SHE TOOK A LOOK AT NUMBERS AND DECIDED IT WASN'T WORTH IT.

I THINK A CANDIDATE HAS TO PAY FOR A RECOUNT IF IT IS NOT WITHIN THE AUTOMATIC MARGIN SO THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR AS WELL.

>> Gene: AND THEY PAY FOR EVERYTHING, IF IT TURNS OUT THEY DON'T FLIP THE SCRIPT, SO TO SPEAK.

SENATOR, A PENDING LAWSUIT FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OVER REDISTRICTING, PARTICULARLY CD2.

I AM CURIOUS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING IN WHOLE A LITTLE BIT BUT IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE, DO YOU THINK THIS PARTY WILL TRY TO MAKE A FUSS OVER THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> Dede: DEFINITELY.

REDISTRICTING WAS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

EACH OF THE DISTRICTS WAS MADE MORE COMPETITIVE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS BUT NONE MORE SO THAN DOWN SOUTH WHERE SOME OF THOSE HEAVILY REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS WERE PUT INTO CD1 AND CD3.

AND SO, YES, THE REPUBLICANS WILL BE A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT THERE WITH THEIR LAWSUIT BECAUSE IT WON'T AFFECT THE OUTCOME HERE BUT, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT ADD GRIST FOR THE MILL TO THE IDEA WE REALLY NEED A TRULY INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION RATHER THAN ONE WHERE THE LEGISLATURE STILL HAS THE FINAL SAY, ALTHOUGH, I DO THINK THAT THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS WAS MUCH BETTER THIS YEAR AND THEY DID ADOPT MANY OF THE IDEAS OF THAT COMMISSION.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINTS THERE.

YOU KNOW, GUYS, I LOOK AT RESULTS COMING IN FOR CD2, MR. VASQUEZ, HE CLEANED UP IN A LOT OF AREAS CLOSE TO THE METRO, MEANING UP HERE, BERNALILLO COUNTY, PLUS 18.

YOU KNOW.

HE WAS PLUS, PLUS, PLUS IN HUGE COUNTIES, REBECCA, AND MS. HERRELL CLEANED UP IN HER HOME AREA.

I GOT TO WONDER, ARE WE NOW A CD2 WORLD WHERE YOU GOT TO LEAN INTO THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO PART OF IT A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN YOUR RURAL PART OF YOUR STATE AND WHO DOES THAT BENEFIT OVER THE LONG RUN?

YOU SEE WHAT I AM DRIVING AT.

>> Rebecca: FOR NOW AS LONG AS THE DISTRICT STAYS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR SET RIGHT NOW, THEN, YES, THE NUMBERS JUST DON'T MAKE SENSE FOR YOU TO ONLY FOCUS ON RURAL NEW MEXICO FOR THAT DISTRICT.

I PARTICIPATED IN THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE THIS YEAR AND SO I GOT THROUGH THE SAME BRIAN SANDEROFF PRESENTATIONS, LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES OF REDISTRICTING BEING AND WHAT YOU'RE REALLY TRYING TO DO IS KEEP DISTRICTS THE MOST INTACT.

YOU'RE TRYING HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CHANGE ON VOTERS WHEREVER THEY ARE AND SO ULTIMATELY THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL ENDED UP ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATION THAT REALLY HAD THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CHANGE.

NOT SO FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO AND FOR THOSE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

SO, WITH THAT SHIFT, YOU KNOW, JUST GOING BY THE NUMBERS, THERE REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE ENERGY SPENT IN BERNALILLO COUNTY.

>> Gene: DID MS. HERRELL SPEND ENOUGH TIME UP HERE?

I DON'T RECALL HER REALLY STUMPING THAT HARD IN THIS PART OF HER DISTRICT.

>> Rebecca: I DON'T KNOW.

I AM NOT A CONSTITUENT OF HERS SO I DIDN'T SEE HER MUCH UP HERE.

IT TOOK ME A LITTLE WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE HAD ADS FOR THAT RACE RUNNING IN THE ALBUQUERQUE METRO AREA.

SO, I DIDN'T -- A LOT OF ADS.

I DIDN'T SEE HER HERE.

I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID FOR THE SOUTHERN PART OF BERNALILLO COUNTY AND RURAL AND AGRICULTURE AND HOW IT CAN RELATE TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE, BUT, WHATEVER IT WAS, IT CLEARLY DIDN'T WORK.

>> Gene: INTERESTING WHEN I LOOK AT NUMBERS HERE, AGAIN MR. VASQUEZ WAS PLUS 18 IN BERNALILLO COUNTY, PLUS 13 IN DONA ANA COUNTY, HIS HOME COUNTY.

HE REALLY DID WELL UP HERE.

I GOT TO WONDER WHY THAT IS.

DAN, ANOTHER INTERESTING THING THAT HAPPENED DURING THE LAST PART OF THE CAMPAIGN WAS MR. VASQUEZ NOT JOINING MR. BIDEN ON HIS VISIT HERE.

WE MUSED ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT ON TUESDAY NIGHT ABOUT WHY THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

ANY INTEL OR EVEN YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ABOUT WHY HE PASSED UP A SITTING PRESIDENT'S VISIT IN HIS OWN PARTY?

>> Dan: WELL, BIDEN, YOU KNOW, HIS POPULARITY IS NOT HIGH.

THAT IS WHY THE UNDERLYING FUNDAMENTALS REALLY FAVORED REPUBLICANS A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT HEADING INTO THIS ELECTION BECAUSE WE ARE AT THE MIDTERM OF AN UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE JUST THAT WE HAVE ENTERED AN ERA WHERE ALL PRESIDENTS ARE GOING TO BE UNPOPULAR.

IT IS HARD TO KNOW.

PEOPLE ARE SO POLARIZED AND ANGRY BUT I ASSUME IT WAS A DELIBERATE CHOICE NOT TO JOIN BIDEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

ALMOST ALL THE OTHER DEMOCRATS WERE THERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, HE MADE THAT CHOICE AND I MEAN HE WON THE ELECTION, SO I AM GUESSING HE IS NOT SECOND GUESSING IT.

>> Gene: THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT WAS EASY TO PUT THAT IN A WEIRD BOX AT THE TIME BUT NOW LOOKING BACK, IT IS KIND OF LIKE, HUH, PRETTY SMART THERE.

SENATOR, CD1 OBVIOUSLY MELANIE STANSBURY HELD, 12 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

IS THE DISTRICT MORE COMPETITIVE BEING REDRAWN HERE?

SPEAK ABOUT REDRAWING, I MEAN, WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN WHO IS HER SECOND TIME IN AS A CHALLENGER HERE, BUT NOT MUCH BETTER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CD1'S REDRAWING.

>> Dede: CD1 HAS A FEW MORE RURAL AREAS THAN IT DID BEFORE.

AND I THINK MELANIE CAMPAIGNED IN THOSE AREAS IN TORRANCE COUNTY, A LITTLE BIT OF SANTA FE COUNTY.

AND I THINK SHE HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION.

SHE HAS CARVED OUT A SPOT FOR HERSELF IN TERMS OF BEING A WATER EXPERT AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE DEMOCRATIC -- THE TWO DEMOCRATIC WOMEN INCUMBENTS WERE VERY GOOD AT USING THE FACT ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE.

BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE BILL REALLY BENEFITED NEW MEXICO AND IT BENEFITED THOSE RURAL AREAS, YOU COULD SEE IT UP NORTH WITH THE RESPONSE TO THE FIRE AS WELL.

AND MELANIE PLAYED ON THAT VERY WELL.

SHE ALSO HAS A WAY OF SUPPORTING AND JOINING HANDS WITH LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES, WHICH I THINK REALLY SERVED HER VERY WELL IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS.

SOME OF THOSE CANDIDATES DIDN'T WIN BUT SHE TRIED TO HELP THEM AND I THINK, IN TURN, THAT HELPED HER.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT BECAUSE I AM RECALLING IN HER CANDIDATE CONVERSATION WITH OUR OWN GWYNETH DOLAND SHE EMBRACED THE NEW PARTS OF THE DISTRICTS.

SHE FELT LIKE, I AM READY FOR THIS.

>> Dede: YEAH, SHE SAID, OH, MY GRANDMOTHER LIVES IN ROSWELL.

I AM REALLY SO HAPPY TO HAVE THAT.

>> Dan: IMMEDIATELY AFTER REDISTRICTING, AFTER THE LEGISLATURE REDISTRICTED, STANSBURY WAS LIKE THE FIRST PERSON WHO CAME OUT AND WAS LIKE, I AM EXCITED TO REACH OUT TO TORRANCE COUNTY AND THESE RURAL AREAS AND I AM GOING TO TRY TO SERVE THESE NEW CONSTITUENTS AND WAS PROBABLY THE MOST VOCAL AMONG ALL THE SITTING CONGRESS PEOPLE ABOUT, OKAY, I AM GOING TO EMBRACE THIS NEW AREA I HAVE.

>> Gene: GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP BECAUSE SHE REALLY WAS OUT FRONT ON THAT.

REBECCA, INTERESTING, MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES, I MENTIONED, THAT WAS HER SECOND TRY AT THIS, DIDN'T QUITE WORK.

WHAT DIDN'T CLICK THERE?

WAS IT A PR PROBLEM, ISSUES PROBLEM?

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Rebecca: IT WAS LIKELY, I SUSPECT, AN ISSUE PROBLEM GOING BACK TO THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HER THAT USED HER WORDS -- AND THEY ARE HER WORDS -- ABOUT ABORTION AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE INCREDIBLY PASSIONATE ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS, WOMEN'S HEALTH RIGHTS AND IT IS SO EASY TO THROW AROUND ABORTION, ABORTION ABORTION.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ABORTION.

THIS IS ABOUT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HER OWN HEALTH.

AND SO THAT JUST DOESN'T GET ENOUGH TRACTION HERE IN THE METRO AREA.

AND THEN THE NUMBERS, WHERE IT DOES GET TRACTION, ARE NOT ENOUGH TO COMBAT THAT.

>> Gene: CD3 REAL QUICK, SENATOR, INCUMBENT, OF COURSE, TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ, 37,000 VOTES MORE THAN HER OPPONENT ADDED UP TO SIX POINTS.

AGAIN, THE SAME QUESTION ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

LET'S GO THERE FIRST.

SHE SEEMED TO BE EMBRACING OF THE NEW DISTRICT AS WELL.

>> Dede: NO.

INITIALLY SHE WAS VERY DUBIOUS.

SHE THOUGHT HER CHANCES WERE DIMINISHED BY THE NEW DISTRICT AND THEN SHE WARMED UP TO IT.

AND DID VERY WELL.

I THINK SHE RAN A TERRIFIC CAMPAIGN.

HER COMMERCIALS WERE AMONG THE BEST THAT I HAVE SEEN THIS CYCLE.

SHE JUST SORT OF BASED HER CAMPAIGN ON LOVE, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, A RATHER UNIQUE THING.

I SAW A PICTURE OF HER AND A COUPLE OF HER SUPPORTERS OUT AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY, I THINK IT WAS SANTA FE FAIRGROUNDS, AND THERE WAS MUSIC, THERE WAS HANDMADE SIGNS, THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT WERE ENTHUSED AND, OF COURSE, THANKFUL TO HER FOR THE HELP AFTER THE FIRE.

>> Gene: SHE REALLY PITCHED HERSELF AS A DAUGHTER OF NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, DIDN'T SHE, QUITE EFFECTIVELY.

I HAVE TO AGREE THAT WORKED WELL.

REBECCA, I AM CURIOUS YOUR THOUGHTS ON CD3 AS WELL.

AGAIN, THE CHALLENGER SECOND TIME AROUND.

I MISSPOKE.

IT WAS MORE THAN SIX POINTS SHE WON BY, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DID NOT WORK FOR THE CHALLENGING UP THERE THIS TIME?

>> Rebecca: I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH INSIGHT THERE.

IT IS JUST MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION THAT SHE JUST WAS NOT ABLE TO RALLY ENOUGH.

YOU HAVE TO -- I THINK YOU EITHER HAVE TO BE LIKE REALLY, REALLY FOR SOMETHING OR REALLY AGAINST SOMETHING IN THAT SITUATION AND WHATEVER SHE WAS REALLY, REALLY AGAINST TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ WAS MORE FOR THINGS.

SO I DON'T THINK ALEXIS MARTINEZ JOHNSON HAD ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO RALLY AROUND.

>> Gene: SHE IS AN OIL AND GAS PERSON FOR SURE, STEADFAST, BUT CLIMATE CHANGE IS A BIG ISSUE HERE.

I HAVE GOT TO WONDER IN THE BROADER SENSE, DO REPUBLICANS, PERHAPS, NEED TO CHANGE THEIR TONE AND TENOR ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEW MEXICO TO GET VOTES, FRANKLY?

>> Rebecca: YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, BECAUSE, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I AM SO CONNECTED TO BEING AN INDEPENDENT VOTER BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I DON'T -- THE MESSAGE OF, YES, OIL AND GAS, SO IMPORTANT TO NEW MEXICO, IT PAYS FOR OUR SCHOOLS, IT PAYS FOR OUR ROADS, PAYS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BUT WE ARE ALSO GOING TO TRY AND GET RID OF IT, BUT THEN IT IS VERY CONFUSING AND I DON'T LIKE THE TONE DEAF APPROACH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS TAKEN TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW IT IS GOING TO IMPACT NEW MEXICO'S FUTURE.

>> Gene: ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE OTHER SIDE POUNDING THAT ISSUE.

YOU CAN'T JUST LIKE NOT TOUCH IT AT SOME LEVELS.

IT IS INTERESTING.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AS WELL, SENATOR.

>> Dede: DON'T THINK THAT THE OIL AND GAS INTERESTS DON'T ALSO COURT THE DEMOCRATS AND POUR LOTS OF MONEY INTO DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, INCLUDING THE HEAD OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, THEY ARE BIG DONORS THERE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THEIR FATE LIES IN THE HANDS OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Gene: RIGHT.

DAN, YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT AS WELL, THE IDEA THAT THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY STILL HAS A BIG STAKE HER FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE AND NOT JUST IN THEIR HOME AREA, HOBBS, ET CETERA, BUT ALL OVER THE STATE.

ARE THERE FINGERPRINTS HERE FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

>> Dan: I THINK THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE COGNIZANT, WHETHER THEY WANT TO SAY IT OUT LOUD OR NOT, THAT OIL AND GAS IS JUST A HUGE -- PROVIDES ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF REVENUE FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND IT ALSO INJECTS A TON OF MONEY INTO CAMPAIGNS AND I THINK THAT CERTAINLY GIVES YOU A SEAT AT THE TABLE, WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING TO A POWERFUL DEMOCRAT OR POWERFUL REPUBLICAN, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF BUILDS ON REBECCA'S POINT, FOR SOME OF THESE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES, THEY ARE IN A BLUE STATE AND THEY DO NEED TO -- IN ORDER TO WIN, THEY HAVE TO PICK UP DEMOCRATIC VOTES, SO, BEING ATTUNE TO CLIMATE CHANGE OR SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES THAT THEY FEEL LIKE MIGHT CROSS OVER, YOU KNOW, TO WIN THESE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET SOME DEMOCRATS TO VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> Gene: IT IS ALSO TOUGH WHEN YOU'RE COMING OUT OF A BRUTAL PRIMARY SEASON WHERE YOU HAVE GOT TO REALLY THROW RED MEAT OUT THERE AND SUDDENLY MAKE A BIG SWITCH IN THE GENERAL.

THAT IS AWFULLY TOUGH, REBECCA.

>> Rebecca: IT IS SO AWFUL THAT FRANKLY YOU HAVE TO BE EXTREME TO WIN A PRIMARY AND THEN YOU HAVE TO BE MORE MODERATE TO WIN A GENERAL AND IT COMES OUT AS FLIP FLOP, FLIP FLOP AND THAT IS WHERE WE END UP WITH DISENGAGED VOTERS BECAUSE IF YOU'RE REALLY FOR SOMEONE AND THEN THEY ARE NOT FOR THAT ANYMORE, AND YOU ARE LEFT SAYING, WELL, THEN, I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE POLLS.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE STATE-WIDE ELECTION HAD A HUGE IMPACT TOO ON THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS BECAUSE WE ARE SO LOCAL, RIGHT.

NEW MEXICANS ARE SO LOCAL.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHO THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR FOR GOVERNOR, THAT WILL IMPACT THE RACES FOR CONGRESS.

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO OUR PANELISTS ONCE AGAIN.

WE'LL BE BACK AT THIS TABLE FOR A FINAL DISCUSSION ON SOME OF THE OTHER STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE RACES, VERY INTERESTING, IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES.

BUT FIRST, PERSPECTIVE ON A PLAN TO EXPAND THE PRODUCTION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMPONENTS AT LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY.

THOSE PLANS CENTER AROUND PLUTONIUM PITS, THE CORE WITHIN NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AS YOU MIGHT KNOW.

NOW, THE LAB ITSELF ESTIMATES THOUSANDS OF JOBS WILL BE NEEDED TO EXPAND THE PROJECT, BUT A NON-PROFIT MONITORING THE LAB SAYS IT'LL ALSO COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, INCREASE ELECTRICITY DEMANDS, AND PUT WORKERS AND OTHERS AT RISK.

THE LOS ALAMOS STUDY GROUP HAS BEEN TRACKING PROJECTS AT LANL FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS.

OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS SITS DOWN WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GREG MELLO TO TALK ABOUT THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT.

>> Laura: GREG MELLO, WELCOME.

>> Greg: THANK YOU, LAURA.

>> Laura: SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHANGES BEING PROPOSED BY LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB FOR ITS OPERATIONS INTO THE FUTURE?

>> Greg: LOS ALAMOS IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN THE LARGEST EXPANSION SINCE THE 1950s, SINCE THE EARLY '50s, AND THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY ADDING A FACTORY TO THEIR MISSION MIX.

THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED REALLY SINCE THE 1940s.

SO THEY WANT TO HAVE ABOUT 4000 PEOPLE WORKING ON MANUFACTURING THE PLUTONIUM CORES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

THAT'S BY FAR THEIR LARGEST GROWTH AREA, AND THIS IS GREATLY INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE LABORATORY OVERALL.

>> Laura: SO EARLIER THIS YEAR IN A STORY AT SEARCHLIGHT NEW MEXICO, ANNABELLA FARMER REPORTED THAT THE LAB FACED A WITHERING REPORT BY THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AND HAS ALREADY SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS TRYING AND FAILING TO REESTABLISH PIT PRODUCTION, WHICH ARE THESE PLUTONIUM PITS YOU MENTIONED.

>> Greg: YES.

>> Laura: SO WE'VE SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALREADY.

IF THINGS WENT FORWARD, WHAT WOULD THIS NEW FACILITY, THESE NEW OPERATIONS COST?

>> Greg: THANK YOU FOR PHRASING IT THAT WAY, BECAUSE IT'S STRUGGLING AND MAY NOT GO FORWARD.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE OFF-RAMPS WILL APPEAR.

SO THERE WILL BE ABOUT $14 BILLION SPENT ON FACILITIES AND THE PROGRAMS TO OPERATE, HIRE, TRAIN THESE FACILITIES BY 2028, IF YOU START COUNTING IN FISCAL '19 WHEN IT REALLY STARTED.

THERE'S ANOTHER REPORT FROM LOS ALAMOS WHICH WE HAVE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE IT UNREDACTED, WHICH ALLEGEDLY SAYS THAT IT WILL BE $18 BILLION IN THE CURRENT DECADE.

>> Laura: SO I TEND TO THINK OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AS SOMETHING FROM THE PAST, A LEGACY, AND A FRIGHTENING LEGACY, A TROUBLING LEGACY.

YOU'RE TALKING TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME; SCIENTISTS, PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., OFFICIALS, CONGRESS PEOPLE.

WHAT IS THE STATED NEED FOR THE UNITED STATES TO CONTINUE MAINTAINING AND MANUFACTURING NUCLEAR WEAPONS?

>> Greg: THE STATED NEED IS THAT WE NEED TO DETER RUSSIA, AND NOW ALSO CHINA, AND NOW ALSO NORTH KOREA AND OTHERS.

SO WE WON'T BE DECREASING THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS ANY TIME SOON, WHERE WE JUST HEARD THIS AGAIN.

I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO SAY THAT, BUT IT'S VERY AUTHORITATIVE AT THIS POINT.

EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT RELEASED THE NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW, I THINK YOU CAN TELL FROM THE WAR-LIKE ATMOSPHERE IN WASHINGTON THAT THAT WOULDN'T BE POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE VERY ROBUST OBJECTS, BUT THEY DO -- PARTS OF THEM DO DETERIORATE, SO THEY HAVE TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR OVERALL.

AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE PROCESS.

COMPONENTS CAN BE CHANGED OUT TO MORE MODERN ONES, AND THE MODERN ONES ALSO CAN ADD CAPABILITIES.

SO ACCURACY IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE INSTALLED AT THE TIME YOU DO MAINTENANCE.

SO YOU END UP WITH KIND OF A SOUPED-UP VERSION OF WHAT YOU HAD BEFORE.

IT'S NOT JUST A LIKE-FOR-LIKE REPLACEMENT OF AN "O" RING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE WHOLE THING APART, YOU'RE GOING TO PUT IN AN UPGRADE FROM THE EQUIVALENT OF YOUR OLD ANALOG PHONE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PUT AN iPHONE 14 OR SOMETHING IN IT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY -- WE THINK UNFORTUNATELY -- YOU CAN REALLY IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF A WARHEAD, WHICH ENABLES A WIDER SET OF TARGETS, IT FEEDS THE NUCLEAR WAR FIGHTING MENTALITY, AND IT COSTS A TON OF MONEY.

IT KEEPS THE WEAPONS LABORATORIES BUSY WITH UPDATING DESIGNS AND NEW DESIGNS.

AND WHAT IS NOT STATED, BUT IS VERY MUCH A REALITY, IS THAT IT KEEPS PEOPLE EMPLOYED AND TRAINED AND PASSES ON KNOWLEDGE TO A NEW GENERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS WORKERS.

SO THIS IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST UNSTATED REASON, BESIDES THE OBVIOUS CONTRACTOR DOLLARS AND PORK BARREL DOLLARS.

>> Laura: SO THE WAR IN UKRAINE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE FEBRUARY.

HOW HAS THAT WAR AND THE U.S. INTEREST IN THAT WAR CHANGED THE CONVERSATION AROUND NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> Greg: I WOULD SAY THAT IT HAS MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET ANY ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMPLEX.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A UNIQUE PART OF GOVERNMENT.

THE ENORMOUS POWER, THE EXISTENTIAL RISK OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS HAS BEEN THE EXCUSE FOR CARVE-OUTS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, FROM FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY, FROM MANY THINGS, AND SO IT'S ALMOST -- AT THE VERY BEGINNING, THE FIRST GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE AEC SAID IT WAS A SEPARATE SOVEREIGNTY.

THE WAR IN UKRAINE HAS SHUT DOWN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMPLEX.

IT'S ALMOST NONEXISTENT NOW.

CONGRESS IS GIVING OUT BLANK CHECKS.

IN FACT, IN SOME CASES THEY'RE INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY OVER WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REQUESTED, BECAUSE INFLATION IS RAGING AND IT AFFECTS NNSA, AS WELL AS EVERYBODY, YOU AND ME.

SO THE UKRAINE WAR MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT OR TO BE ANY KIND OF DOVE.

>> Laura: INTERESTING.

SO FOR 80 YEARS NOW, THE LAB HAS WORKED ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AND WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS IN THE STATE ABOUT JOBS, THE ECONOMY, SOMETIMES WE TALK ABOUT INEQUALITY BETWEEN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COMMUNITIES AND THE LAB, WE TALK SOMETIMES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH IN THE STATE WE VERY RARELY TALK ABOUT THE MORALITY OF HAVING A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE ECONOMY FOCUSED ON WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, ON NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

WHY IS THAT?

WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT THIS?

>> Greg: BOY, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

AND WE SHOULD.

WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM IN OUR CARE OF OUR CHILDREN, IN EDUCATION, AND THERE IS A KIND OF PARALYSIS WHICH HAS AFFECTED OUR PUBLIC MORALITY WITH RESPECT TO OUR SOCIAL LIFE HERE IN THE STATE, AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE A PART OF THAT PARALYSIS.

WE HAVE MADE SOME KIND OF PACT THAT WE WILL BE A LESSER STATE.

WE HAVE A WELFARE MENTALITY WITH RESPECT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE WILL BURN OUR CONSCIOUSES WITH A HOT IRON, AS PAUL PUT IT IN THE EPISTLES.

BUT THAT AFFECTS HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS, TOO.

OUR IMAGINATIONS OF OUR FUTURE AND THE POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE ARE ABRIDGED.

SIMONE WEIL, WRITING IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, SAID: "ONLY THOSE WHO KNOW THE EMPIRE OF MIGHT AND KNOW HOW NOT TO RESPECT IT ARE CAPABLE OF LOVE AND JUSTICE," IN HER COMMENTS ABOUT THE ILIAD.

AND THAT'S OUR PROBLEM HERE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW NOT TO RESPECT THE VIOLENCE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, THE DEATH-ORIENTED SOLUTION TO HUMAN RELATIONS.

AND IT HARMS OUR ABILITY TO THROW OURSELVES WHOLEHEARTEDLY INTO THE SOCIAL INNOVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION THAT WE REALLY NEED.

>> Laura: THANK YOU, GREG THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> Greg: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Gene: THANK YOU, LAURA.

WE'VE REACHED OUT TO THE LABORATORY REQUESTING A CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE PLANS AND ISSUES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO AIRING THAT INTERVIEW IF AND WHEN THE LAB OFFICIALS -- WHEN THEY AGREE.

NOW, BACK TO OUR LINE OPINION PANEL TO ROUND OUT THE '22 ELECTION ANALYSIS.

THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR STOLE MANY OF THE STATEWIDE HEADLINES, BUT IF YOU WATCHED ANY OF THE TV AT ALL IN THE LAST MONTH, YOU KNOW THE CONTEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS PRETTY CONTENTIOUS, TOO.

BERNALILLO COUNTY DA AND DEMOCRAT RAUL TORREZ ENDS UP WITH A DECISIVE 10-POINT WIN, AS POLLING PREDICTED.

AND AGAIN THIS RAISES QUESTIONS, DEDE FELDMAN, ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I SAY THAT TO SAY THIS.

JEREMY GAY SEEMED TO BE A STRONG CANDIDATE WHO NEEDED HELP WITH NAME RECOGNITION, AND HE DIDN'T GET IT.

INTERESTING POINT THERE.

HE COULD HAVE GIVEN MR. TORREZ A MUCH TOUGHER GO, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME, ESPECIALLY ON CRIME.

BUT SOMETHING DIDN'T CLICK THERE.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> Dede: WELL, HE WAS A NEWCOMER.

HE WAS A NEWCOMER TO POLITICS, WHICH CAN BE A PLUS, AND I THOUGHT HIS POSITIONS WERE GOOD.

HIS LAST COMMERCIAL WAS REALLY FUNNY.

YOU KNOW, I WAS SURPRISED, ALSO, THAT HE DIDN'T GET THE SUPPORT FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT JUST SEEMS ILL-CONCEIVED THAT HE DID NOT, BECAUSE EVEN IF SOMEBODY LIKE THAT LOSES, THERE MAY BE A FUTURE FOR HIM.

AND SO, YOU KNOW -- >> Gene: I HATE TO PUT IT OUT THERE THIS WAY, BUT I'VE GOT TO ASK YOU.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WAS THERE A PROBLEM THERE?

I MEAN, IS THAT WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE A FULL-THROATED SUPPORT OF HIM?

>> Dede: I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HE WAS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND MAYBE THAT SAYS SOMETHING.

>> Rebecca: SO WAS THE LT.

GOVERNOR, ANT THORNTON, ALSO.

>> Gene: NOT DRAWING CONCLUSIONS HERE, JUST ASKING.

>> Dede: SO WAS JOHN ALLEN, THE SHERIFFS CANDIDATE, THE DEMOCRAT.

SO I FEEL LIKE RACE IS LESS OF AN ISSUE HERE THAN IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

REBECCA, AGAIN, TEN POINTS.

I'M JUST SHOCKED, THE DA'S RACE.

CRIME NEVER SEEMS TO STICK TO THE DA.

I DON'T GET WHY THAT IS.

MR.

GAY TRIED.

I MEAN, IT WASN'T FOR AN EFFORT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> Rebecca: AND IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT, THAT CRIME DOESN'T STICK TO A DA, BECAUSE WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION IN MY HOUSE THIS MORNING, ACTUALLY.

AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK ABOUT THIS OPENLY, BUT I'M AN OPEN BOOK.

I VOTED FOR RAUL TORREZ, BECAUSE I LIKE HIM.

AND THEN MY HUSBAND SAID, WHY WOULD YOU PROMOTE, IN BERNALILLO COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE THE WORST PROBLEM, WHY WOULD YOU VOTE TO PROMOTE HIM TO STATEWIDE OFFICE?

AND I SAID, WELL, I DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT THAT WAY, I JUST REALLY LIKE THE GUY.

I'VE SEEN HIM SPEAK BEFORE, AND I THINK AFTER HEARING HIM SPEAK, WHAT I WAS LEFT WITH THE FEELING OF WAS, THIS IS NOT HIS FAULT.

THIS IS THE LEGISLATURE'S FAULT, IT'S THE COURTS, IT'S EVERYONE'S FAULT BUT RAUL'S, AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS LEFT WITH.

AND SO IT'S INTERESTING, AGAIN, TALKING TO MY HUSBAND AND THEN ALSO HEARING -- I WAS HEARING DARREN WHITE SPEAK ABOUT IT ON THE RADIO EARLIER, AND SAME KIND OF THING.

LIKE, WHY DOESN'T CRIME STICK TO THE DA?

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S DONE NOW.

>> Gene: IT IS, AND IT'S INTERESTING.

DAN, ANOTHER INTERESTING ELEMENT, THE STANCES ON BAIL REFORM.

I FOUND THIS INTERESTING.

MR. TORREZ, OF COURSE, FAVORED THE HARDLINE APPROACH TO REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTIONS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT HERE AT THIS TABLE A BUNCH.

YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY FORCING A DEFENDANT, AS YOU KNOW, TO PROVE HE OR SHE ISN'T A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC SO THEY CAN GET OUT BEFORE THEY GO TO TRIAL.

JEREMY GAY HAD A PRETTY GOOD STANCE ON THIS, MAINTAINED THAT IT SHOULD THE PROSECUTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVE THAT THE DEFENDANT POSES A THREAT.

WAS THAT JUST A LITTLE TOO MUCH NUANCE HERE?

BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A REAL HAMMER BLOW AND KEPT IT SIMPLE.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

IN YOUR VIEW, DID SOMETHING NOT CATCH WITH MR.

GAY'S RESPONSE HERE?

>> Dan: THIS IS A REALLY COMPLICATED ISSUE, AND I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO VOTERS CERTAINLY IN KIND OF A POLITICAL SETTING.

TORREZ'S MESSAGE, TO REBECCA'S POINT, WAS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, CASTING HIMSELF AS THE ONE WHO IS FIGHTING TO PUT PEOPLE IN JAIL, AND SORT OF THIS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HE'S THE ADVERSARY OF THE SYSTEM, HE'S FIGHTING THIS ROTTEN SYSTEM.

AND THAT I THINK IS AN EASIER MESSAGE TO DELIVER, PERHAPS, THAN THE ONE THAT JEREMY GAY HAD.

BUT IT IS A REALLY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES A LOT OF THINGS BESIDES JUST CRIME.

SO TORREZ'S ELECTION IS GOING TO PUT HIM IN -- YOU KNOW, HE'S GOING TO BE HANDLING NEW ISSUES LIKE CONSUMER PROTECTION AND ALL KINDS OF CIVIL LITIGATION, SO IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Gene: THE DA'S OFFICE CAN SOMETIMES BE AN INTERESTING STEPPING STONE TO OTHER THINGS IN POLITICS.

AGAIN, NOT TO MAKE YOU MAKE PREDICTIONS, BUT DO YOU SEE SOMETHING FOR MR. TORREZ DOWN THE ROAD?

I KNOW HE JUST GOT IN OFFICE A MATTER OF MOMENTS AGO, BUT ANYTHING THERE YOU'RE SEEING FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD FOR HIM?

>> Dan: HE CERTAINLY SEEMS LIKE A REALLY AMBITIOUS PERSON.

HE'S GONE TO ALL THE BEST SCHOOLS, HE'S BEEN A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, A DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

THE LAST GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, WAS A DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ITSELF HAS ALSO BEEN A STEPPING STONE FOR A LOT OF POLITICIANS.

SO TORREZ IS AT AN AGE WHERE HE COULD BE IN THE POLITICAL GAME FOR A REALLY LONG TIME, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S GOING TO RUN FOR.

>> Gene: SENATOR, YOU'VE SEEN THIS, AS WELL.

I LIKE TO SAY, THIS POSITION IS THE WHITE KNIGHT, IT CAN BE, OF A STATE.

COME IN AND RESCUE THINGS, RIGHT WRONGS, PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS THAT'S BEEN TAKEN.

I'M CURIOUS WHERE YOU SEE MR. TORREZ, AS WELL AS HOW HE DID THIS TIME AROUND?

>> Dede: WELL, HE'LL HAVE TO CHANGE HIS IMAGE FROM A CRIME FIGHTER AND A DA TO A BROADER CONSUMER PROTECTER, A DEFENDER OF NEW MEXICO WHEN IT COMES TO WATER, WHEN IT COMES TO PHARMACEUTICAL PRICES, WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER ISSUES.

AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER OFFICES, TOO, LIKE THE AUDITOR AND THE TREASURER, ESPECIALLY AUDITOR, HAS BEEN A STEPPING STONE FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE GONE ON TO BECOME THE AG, ESPECIALLY.

AND SECRETARY OF STATE COULD BE A STEPPING STONE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN IN THE PAST.

AND IT'S KIND OF AN UNDERRATED OFFICE, I THINK, IN THIS STATE.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THE CURRENT OFFICE HOLDER, WHO JUST RE-GOT HER SEAT, MAGGIE TOULOUSE OLIVER, I GOT TO ASK YOU, REBECCA, SHE WON BY 11 POINTS.

MEANWHILE, HER OPPONENT WAS AN ELECTRICS DENIER.

SOME MIGHT SAY THAT'S A BIT OF A LAY-UP.

BUT OUR SECRETARY OF STATE HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

SHE WAS IN HIDING ON ELECTION NIGHT, WHEN YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

EARNED VICTORY?

NOT EARNED VICTORY BECAUSE OF HER OPPONENT?

HOW DO YOU SEE HER 11 POINT VICTORY IN CONTEXT?

>> Rebecca: I THINK IT JUST SPEAKS VOLUMES, AGAIN, ABOUT WHAT REALLY PEOPLE PICK UP ON IN OTHER STATES DOES NOT TRACK HERE.

AND I THINK YOU LOOK NEXT DOOR TO ARIZONA, ELECTION DENIERS ARE, YOU KNOW, STILL REALLY HEAVY IN IT, STILL NECK AND NECK, BUT HERE, NEW MEXICANS AREN'T STANDING FOR ANY OF THAT STUFF.

LIKE, WE KNOW WHAT'S UP.

AND I THINK THAT'S STILL POSSIBLY A TURN-OFF.

BUT I THINK THAT OUR CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

SHE'S BROUGHT ABOUT SOME -- SHE'S MADE IT, I THINK, MORE ACCESSIBLE.

WE WERE JUST KIND OF SPEAKING ABOUT IT, VOTING MORE ACCESSIBLE.

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE ONLY ACTUAL VICTORIES IN THE STATE WHERE THE WINNER HAS BRAGGING RIGHTS.

I THINK EVERY OTHER RACE WAS SO CLOSE, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD BE LIKE, YAY, I WIN, I WIN, BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL SO CLOSE.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT THERE.

YOU KNOW, SPEAKING OF AUDREY TRUJILLO, OF COURSE, SHE WANTED TO END THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-PERSON VOTING, VOTE BY MAIL, AND PEOPLE ARE USED TO THAT NOW.

THEY SORT OF LIKE THAT NOW.

WAS THAT AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO GO INTO A SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE?

>> Dede: NO.

NO, NOT AT ALL.

I THINK THE THING ABOUT MAGGIE IS THAT SHE HAS BALANCED THE SECURITY AS WELL AS THE ACCESS, AND SHE'S ALSO BEEN KIND OF THE EXPLAINER.

SHE HAS PUT OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IT ACTUALLY WORKS, HOW ARE VOTES COUNTED, HOW WE HAVE PAPER BALLOTS, HOW OUR VOTING MACHINES ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET, AND IT'S DESIGNED TO REDUCE TENSIONS AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

SHE'S NOT OUT THERE PROCLAIMING A RAH-RAH ON HER VICTORY, BUT THIS WAS A BIG VICTORY FOR FACTS AND FOR DEMOCRACY, REALLY, BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT WAS AT STAKE AT THIS ELECTION.

AND SHE DIDN'T RAISE THE FLAG THAT MUCH ABOUT IT, SHE JUST DID IT.

AND SHE LED HER COUNTY CLERKS TO DO IT, AS WELL.

AND THEY WORKED HARD AND THE ELECTION CAME OFF WITHOUT MUCH OF A GLITCH.

>> Gene: WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM OTERO COUNTY OR ANYPLACE ELSE WHERE THERE'S BEEN RECENT DUST-UPS, SO THAT MIGHT TELL THE TALE THERE.

DAN, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, OF COURSE, THE BALANCE OF POWER APPEARS TO BE HOLDING FOR DEMOCRATS.

WE'VE GOT TWO RACES OUTSTANDING AS WE SIT HERE TAPING THIS A DAY BEFORE FRIDAY NIGHT'S AIRING.

BUT ALL TOGETHER, DEMOCRATS ARE SET TO FLIP TWO SEATS AND LOSE THREE, PENDING THOSE COUNTS, BUT NO RED WAVE HERE FOR NEW MEXICO.

WELL, ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, BUT HERE IN NEW MEXICO, IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN, DID IT?

>> Dan: YOU KNOW, HEADING INTO THE ELECTION, THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WAS PRETTY OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PICK UP SOME SEATS.

ALBUQUERQUE DEMOCRATS -- ALBUQUERQUE USED TO BE PRETTY DIVIDED BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, AND IT HAS REALLY TURNED BLUE RECENTLY WITH ONLY BILL REHM, ONE REPUBLICAN, SORT OF LEFT.

SO I THINK REPUBLICANS WERE OPTIMISTIC, ESPECIALLY WITH CRIME RATES, INFLATION, OTHER THINGS THAT THEY REALLY HAD A CHANCE TO HOLD DEMOCRATS RESPONSIBLE FOR AND EXPAND THEIR MAJORITY.

BUT THE WAY THE RESULTS LOOK NOW, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THE RED WAVE DIDN'T HAPPEN.

DEMOCRATS, I THINK, IF THEY COME OUT OF THIS WITH THE SAME NUMBER OF SEATS, OR EVEN LOSE ONE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRETTY HAPPY WITH THAT, I THINK.

>> Gene: DEMOCRATS PULLED A SEAT IN RIO RANCHO.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

THERE WERE SOME INTERESTING WINS HERE FOR DEMOCRATS, LET ALONE ANY KIND OF RED WAVE.

>> Dede: AND THEY WERE MOSTLY WOMEN.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, THEY WERE MOSTLY WOMEN, TOO.

PAMELYA HERNDON, MEREDITH DIXON, NATALIE FIGUEROA, MARIAN MATTHEWS.

THEY HELD THEIR OWN IN THE HEIGHTS, AND THEY GOT A LOT OF HELP FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY GOT A LOT OF HELP FROM MELANIE STANSBURY, WHO SOFTENED UP THE GROUND IN ADVANCE FOR THEM TWO YEARS AGO.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT, DEMONSTRATING WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THOSE DISTRICTS, AND SHE'S DONE IT.

REBECCA, ON DAN'S POINT, INTERESTING, IF THE ALBUQUERQUE BASE REPUBLICANS COULDN'T PUSH THROUGH ON CRIME, WHERE CAN CRIME BE PUSHED THROUGH?

I MEAN, HERE WE ARE SITTING AND WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT CRIME, AND NO ONE PAYS A PRICE.

IT'S AN AMAZING THING.

>> Rebecca: AND HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE OTHER THAN WE JUST NEED TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS.

AND I THINK OUR CURRENT PRACTICES DON'T LEND THEMSELVES TO REALLY GETTING PEOPLE UP OFF THE COUCH, OR EVEN TO MAIL IN A BALLOT EARLY.

IF YOU DON'T -- LIKE, I HAVEN'T FELT SO ENTHUSIASTIC AND PASSIONATE ABOUT ANY POLITICAL CANDIDATE SINCE BARACK OBAMA.

LIKE, I WOKE UP EVERY MORNING EXCITED ABOUT THAT ELECTION.

NOW IT'S KIND OF LIKE, WELL, IT'S LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS NO MATTER WHAT THE RACE.

AND UNTIL WE AS A STATE CAN DO SOMETHING DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT THAT REALLY INSPIRES PEOPLE TO VOTE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE LAST IN THIS, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE HIGHEST IN THAT.

AND I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, IF CRIME CAN'T FLIP ALBUQUERQUE, THEN NOTHING CAN.

>> Gene: ISN'T THAT INTERESTING?

ABSOLUTELY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

WE'VE JUST GOT A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

DAN, YOUR SENSE OF HOW IT MAY HAVE AFFECTED ANY KEY RACES YOU CAN THINK OF, REDISTRICTING.

>> Dan: FOR THE STATE HOUSE, JANE POWDRELL-CULBERT, THE ONLY REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT TO LOSE, SHE WAS IN A MUCH DIFFERENT DISTRICT BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING.

SHE LIVES IN CORRALES.

THAT DISTRICT ALSO HAD SOME RIO RANCHO AND ALBUQUERQUE IN IT.

WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THESE MORE SUBURBAN AREAS ALSO GO DEMOCRATIC.

BUT SHE WAS IN A MUCH MORE DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT, SO I THINK THAT WAS CERTAINLY A FACTOR FOR HER.

>> Dede: BUT CONVERSELY, THE DISTRICT RIGHT NEXT TO HER, DAYMON ELY'S OLD DISTRICT, WAS ALSO RECONFIGURED AND IT WENT REPUBLICAN.

>> Dan: YES, THAT WAS KIND OF ALMOST A TRADE-OFF.

I THINK THE REDISTRICTING DIDN'T NECESSARILY CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATURE SO MUCH, BUT IT HURT -- >> Dede: A INCUMBENT.

>> Dan: IT HURT POWDRELL-CULBERT'S CHANCES.

BUT MEANWHILE, THERE'S A REPUBLICAN DISTRICT RIGHT NEXT TO IT, I THINK ALAN MARTINEZ WON.

SO YES, YOU END UP WITH A NET EFFECT WHERE MAYBE THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH CHANGE OVERALL.

BUT CERTAINLY FOR JANE POWDRELL-CULBERT, IT CERTAINLY FEELS LIKE A BIG DEAL.

>> Dede: AND ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IN REDISTRICTING IS THE DEGREE TO WHICH INCUMBENTS SHOULD BE PROTECTED, AND OF COURSE THE COMMISSION SAID, WE DON'T WANT TO CONSIDER THAT AS PART OF OUR DELIBERATIONS.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE, THAT'S JOB ONE, TO PROTECT THE INCUMBENT.

IN FACT, IT'S JOB ONE TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT IN OUR LEGISLATURE, 43% OF THE SEATS ARE UNCONTESTED BECAUSE THEY'RE SAFE SEATS.

>> Gene: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN A FUTURE SHOW.

I'M SO FRUSTRATED LOOKING AT A BALLOT AND SEEING UNCONTESTED RACES.

IT JUST GOES AGAINST EVERYTHING I WANT IN A DEMOCRACY.

IT'S CRAZY.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL HERE LIVE.

REALLY GOOD FUN THIS WEEK.

NOW, BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THESE FOLKS COVERED ON OUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES, AND CATCH UP ON ANY EPISODE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE PBS VIDEO APP, ON YOUR ROKU, OR YOUR SMART TV.

>> Gene: IT'S BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK FOR NEWS JUNKIES ACROSS THE STATE, AND HERE AT NEW MEXICO In FOCUS WE COULDN'T BE MORE EXCITED TO HAVE OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS BACK IN STUDIO, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT THIS ELECTION WEEK.

NOW, MOVING FORWARD THE LINE WILL BE LIVE IN STUDIO ON A MUCH MORE REGULAR BASIS, BUT DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOU SEE US BACK ON ZOOM AT SOME POINT.

SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR PRIORITY, AND IF WE'VE LEARNED ANYTHING IN THESE PAST TWO YEARS, IT'S ALWAYS, BE FLEXIBLE.

NOW, THAT WAS CERTAINLY THE CASE FOR NEW MEXICO VOTERS THIS YEAR WITH MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF BALLOTS CAST THIS ELECTION COMING VIA EARLY OR ABSENTEE VOTING.

NOW, HOWEVER YOU VOTED, THANK YOU FOR MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND FOR STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK In FOCUS.

>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO In FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.