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

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, PREVIEWING THE 2022 ELECTION, OUR LINE OPINION PANEL ANALYZES LATEST POLLING IN STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

AND -- >> Vasquez: I THINK WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IS NOT PARTISANSHIP IN THIS ELECTION AND IN THIS RACE.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR NEW MEXICO AND NEW MEXICANS.

>> Gene: THE FINAL INTERVIEWS IN OUR SERIES OF CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

ELECTION DAY IS JUST DAYS AWAY AND SOME OF NEW MEXICO'S MAJOR RACES ARE LOOKING TIGHTER THAN EVER.

NEW POLLING SHOWS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MARK RONCHETTI PULLING WITHIN THREE POINTS OF GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM.

IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, I'LL ASK OUR LINE OPINION PANEL IF AN ENDORSEMENT FROM DONALD TRUMP COULD HELP CLOSE THAT GAP.

IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES WE HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR ON HER PLANS IF SHE IS REELECTED.

ALSO KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON A CONGRESSIONAL RACE LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKE A TOSS UP.

RECENT POLL SHOWS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER DAVE VASQUEZ IS AHEAD OF DISTRICT 2 REP YVETTE HERRELL BUT ANOTHER SHOWS MS. HERRELL WITH A LARGE LEAD.

I'LL ASK WHICH POLL WE SHOULD TRUST AND WHAT EACH CANDIDATE NEEDS TO DO TO SOLIDIFY THEIR POSITION.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HEAR FROM CANDIDATE DAVE VASQUEZ IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW.

HE SITS DOWN WITH CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND TO TALK ABOUT KEY ISSUES FOR NEW MEXICANS IN DISTRICT 2.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH AN UPDATE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

IN RECENT WEEKS SECRETARY MAGGIE TOULOUSE-OLIVER WARNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PARTISAN POLL WATCHERS AND OTHER POTENTIAL DISRUPTIONS.

ON WEDNESDAY, SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DIVISIO CAUGHT UP WITH THE SECRETARY ON FACEBOOK LIVE TO ASK WHY NEW MEXICANS SHOULD BE CONFIDENT THEIR VOTES ARE SAFE AND SECURE.

>> Lou: SECRETARY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

>> Toulouse Oliver: I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME, LOU.

>> Lou: OF COURSE.

WE WANTED TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING ON YOUR END AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 8.

THAT IS AFTER YOUR OFFICE SPOKE TO THE MEDIA ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR PARTISAN POLL WATCHERS GATHERING AT VOTER SITES.

WE HAVE HEARD INSTANCES OF INTIMIDATION IN OTHER STATES LIKE ARIZONA.

FIRST OFF, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SIMILAR INSTANCES OR TACTICS USED HERE IN NEW MEXICO AT ANY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS?

>> Toulouse Oliver: WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS NOT AT THIS POINT.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE STILL SIX DAYS OUT FROM ELECTION DAY AS YOU AND I ARE SPEAKING LIVE HERE.

AND SO FAR, SO GOOD.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SAME KIND OF INTIMIDATION TACTICS WE ARE SEEING IN OTHER PLACES.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE WORK WE HAVE DONE IN ADVANCE TO LET VOTERS AND FOLKS WHO ARE PART OF THE OBSERVATION PROCESS KNOW WHAT IS LEGAL, WHAT IS NOT OKAY AT A POINT IN PLACE HAS DONE ITS JOB, BUT, OF COURSE, WE DO HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT OF EARLY VOTING AND OF COURSE A BIG DAY THIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 ON ELECTION DAY, TO SEE.

HOPEFULLY, PEOPLE KEEP JUST DOING THE RIGHT THING, VOTERS CONTINUE TO VOTE AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO SEE A RELATIVELY TROUBLE-FREE ELECTION PROCESS HERE IN NEW MEXICO IN 2022.

>> Lou: YOUR OFFICE RECENTLY MADE VOTING MACHINES AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA TO SHOW HOW THEY WORKED AND TO ASSURE VOTERS THAT EVERYONE'S VOTE WOULD BE COUNTED SAFELY AND SECURELY.

HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK SINCE THAT DEMONSTRATION, AND DO YOU THINK IT HELPED EASE SOME PEOPLES' CONCERNS.

>> Toulouse Oliver: THE FEEDBACK WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR HAS BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE.

I THINK THE MORE THAT WE CAN DO, EITHER HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL OR AT THE LOCAL COUNTY LEVEL AND I KNOW A NUMBER OF COUNTIES HAVE DONE SIMILAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

CHAVES COUNTY RECENTLY DID ONE THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES IN THAT AREA TO SHOW, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE IS SORT OF A JOINT EFFORT REGARDLESS OF PARTISANSHIP TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTERS AND CITIZENS ARE AWARE OF HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS AND HOW THE MACHINES WORK.

UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A SMALL BUT VOCAL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, DESPITE EVERY PIECE OF INFORMATION WE PROVIDE ARE GOING TO WANT TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE AND TO CLING TO MISINFORMATION ABOUT HOW OUR PROCESSES WORK.

BUT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THE MORE WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS PROCESS TRANSPARENT, TO MAKE THE MECHANICS OF THE ELECTION, INCLUDING HOW THE VOTING MACHINES WORK, TRANSPARENT, IT SEEMS TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT.

>> Lou: MANY OF THE KEY RACES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CLOSE.

DOES THAT CONCERN YOU AT ALL WHEN IT COMES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THAT SMALL BUT VOCAL MAJORITY THAT YOU MENTIONED ACCEPTING RESULTS ESPECIALLY AFTER 2020?

>> Toulouse Oliver: SURE, I CERTAINLY THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE -- YOU KNOW -- WE HAVE A CLOSE RACE FOR CONGRESS IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY CLOSE RACES FOR THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

YOU KNOW.

IT IS A LITTLE UNCLEAR HOW MANY WE WILL HAVE AT THE STATE-WIDE LEVEL BUT I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS, SO, HERE IN NEW MEXICO, WE DO HAVE AUTOMATIC RECOUNT PROCESSES IN PLACE, SO IF WE DO HAVE THESE RACES THAT ARE FALLING WITHIN PARTICULARLY CLOSE MARGINS WE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECOUNT THOSE RESULTS.

WE HAVE THE POST ELECTION AUDIT WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT IS GOING TO SPOT CHECK OR MACHINES AND MAKE SURE THEY COUNTED BALLOTS ACCURATELY WITH THOSE OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS, BUT I THINK MY BIGGER CONCERN IS THAT EVEN IN RACES THAT ARE NOT CLOSE, THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, WHERE THERE IS A CLEAR VICTOR, THAT UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS GOING TO BE FOLKS OUT THERE WHO ARE REALLY BOUGHT INTO FRANKLY THE FLAT OUT LIES ABOUT HOW OUR ELECTION PROCESS WORKS THAT COULD, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY RAISE A FUSS ABOUT ELECTION OUTCOMES AND SORT OF REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE OR LOOK AT THE OUTCOME OF THESE TRANSPARENT BIPARTISAN PROCESSES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

SO THAT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN.

WE ARE GOING TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THEM AND READY TO DEAL WITH IT WHEN AND IF IT HAPPENS.

>> Lou: THANK YOU TO SECRETARY OF STATE MAGGIE TOULOUSE-OLIVER FOR HER TIME.

YOU CAN WATCH LOU'S ENTIRE CONVERSATION WITH THE SECRETARY ONLINE RIGHT NOW ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS' FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR THE WEEK.

WELCOME BACK TO DANIEL FOLEY, FORMER NEW MEXICO STATE REPRESENTATIVE, ATTORNEY LAURA SANCHEZ, ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE LAURA WITH US.

AND DAVE MULRYAN, PRESIDENT OF MULRYAN NASH ADVERTISING.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

NOW WE ARE LOOKING AHEAD TO ELECTION DAY TUESDAY STARTING WITH SEVERAL STATE RACES.

NAMELY, THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

ACCORDING TO NEW POLLING FROM EMERSON COLLEGE RELEASED BY KRQE 13 NEWS, 50% OF VOTERS VIEW MICHELLE LUJAN-GRISHAM FAVORABLY WHILE 49% OF VOTERS SEE MR. RONCHETTI AS FAVORABLE OVERALL 49% OF PEOPLE POLLED PLAN TO VOTE FOR MS. LUJAN-GRISHAM WHILE 46% PLAN ON VOTING FOR MARK RONCHETTI.

BUT THAT POLL CAME OUT BEFORE DONALD TRUMP FORMALLY ENDORSED MR. RONCHETTI ON MONDAY.

DAVE MULRYAN, OBVIOUS QUESTION HERE.

WILL THAT HELP CLOSE THE GAP BECAUSE HE NEEDS SOMETHING HERE.

HE IS KIND OF FLOATING IN SPACE, NOT ABLE TO REALLY GET OVER THE HUMP HERE.

IS THAT GOING TO DO IT FOR HIM OR HURT HIM WITH MODERATES.

>> Dave: WELL, POSSIBLY, YOU KNOW, BUT JUST SO WE ARE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE NUMBERS.

AS OF YESTERDAY 383,300 DEMOCRATS HAD EARLY VOTED.

273,904 REPUBLICANS EARLY VOTED.

AND, INTERESTINGLY, DECLINED TO STATE, PEOPLE WITH NO PARTY AFFILIATION, 121,000.

SO THERE IS A LOT OF VOTES THAT ARE ALREADY BANKED WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT.

I AM NOT SURE THAT AT A LATE DATE THAT DONALD TRUMP ENDORSEMENTS -- I NEVER GOT THE SENSE THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS A BIG PLAYER IN NEW MEXICO.

I COULD BE WRONG BUT THAT WAS MY SENSE, YOU KNOW.

HE DID NOT GET ALONG WITH SUSANA MARTINEZ AND I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE REMEMBER THAT, IF REPUBLICANS REMEMBER THAT.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS NOT CLEAR.

LIKE A LOT OF THINGS, DONALD TRUMP DOES, IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER HIS ENDORSEMENT HELPS YOU OR HURTS YOU, WHO KNOWS, RIGHT.

>> Gene: LAURA, AS DAVE MENTIONED, LAST TIME AROUND, MR. BIDEN BEAT MR. TRUMP BY 11 POINTS HERE, WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE MORE THAN 10,000 VOTES.

THAT IS A LOT OF VOTES IN NEW MEXICO.

IS IT GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AT ALL FOR MR. RONCHETTI?

>> Laura: I THINK THE REAL QUESTION IS HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE SWING VOTERS BECAUSE YOU FIGURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY STAUNCHLY RONCHETTI, WHICH ARE PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, MY GUESS WOULD BE, THEY ARE TRUMP SUPPORTERS OR COULD BE TRUMP SUPPORTERS, THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM REGARDLESS.

THERE IS PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY TURNED OFF BY THIS, PROBABLY A LOT OF DEMOCRATS VERY TURNED OFF BY A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

THEY WERE ALREADY NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM ANYWAY SO IT IS THAT MIDDLE SWING VOTE, RIGHT?

SO, PEOPLE WHO ARE POTENTIALLY DECLINED TO STATE BUT THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REGISTERED INDEPENDENT AND PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF A PARTY BUT THEY VOTE INDEPENDENTLY.

SO, I THINK THE REAL QUESTION IS, ARE THOSE PEOPLE TURNED OFF BY DONALD TRUMP OR ARE THEY INCLINED TO VOTE FOR SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE OF TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

I THINK THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT HURTS A CANDIDATE LIKE RONCHETTI IN THIS STATE.

THERE ARE SOME STATES WHERE A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT HELPS BUT IN THIS STATE WHEN YOU SAW SUCH A HUGE MARGIN BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES IN THE LAST ELECTION, AND SO MUCH OF THE RHETORIC, I JUST DON'T SEE IT HELPING RONCHETTI ESPECIALLY IN THE AREAS WHERE HE NEEDS MORE VOTES.

HE IS DOING WELL IN THE SOUTH.

THAT IS NOT A SURPRISE IN OIL AND GAS COUNTRY, MORE CONSERVATIVE PARTS OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, SAN JUAN AREA, WHICH IS ALSO HEAVY OIL AND GAS SORT OF INDUSTRY.

I THINK IN THOSE AREAS HE IS DOING WELL BUT IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE HE NEEDS TO PULL VOTES FROM, ALBUQUERQUE, CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AREA, NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE LIKELY TO BE PERSUADED BY A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

IF ANYTHING, THEY'LL BE TURNED OFF BY THAT.

>> Dan: DANIEL, AS WE TAPE THIS, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IN TOWN, AND, OF COURSE, CAMPAIGNING FOR GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN-GRISHAM.

I BRING THIS UP TO SAY HIS APPROVAL RATINGS HAVEN'T EXACTLY BEEN STELLAR LATELY.

IN THE SAME SORT OF VEIN AS MR. TRUMP HELPING MR. RONCHETTI, IS MR. BIDEN HELPING OUR GOVERNOR HERE OR ARE THESE THINGS JUST A WASH AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Dan: FIRST, LET ME SAY, SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE RACES, GENE, THAT I DONATED MONEY TO BOTH SIDES OF THESE RACES THIS YEAR.

I MEAN, I HAVE GOT DEMOCRATS I GIVE MONEY TO AND REPUBLICANS I HAVE GIVEN MONEY TO.

I AM EQUALLY AS JADED.

I THINK IT IS INTERESTING LAURA'S TAKE AND I APPRECIATE HER COMMENTS BEING THE GOOD DEMOCRAT THAT SHE IS, I AM NOT SURE THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT IS A KISS OF DEATH RIGHT NOW.

HE HAS GOT A PRETTY GOOD RECORD FOR ENDORSEMENTS THAT HE HAS MADE.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE ELECTION WHEN HE LOST THE PRESIDENCY IN NEW MEXICO, I THINK WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS, OIL AND GAS, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MAY BE JUST AS FRUSTRATED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND EVEN SOME WHO ARE THINKING MAYBE TRUMP WASN'T SO WRONG.

THEY MAY NOT LIKE HIM, BUT HIS POLICIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO WRONG.

SO I THINK IT DOES GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HELP, DEFINITELY IN THE FUNDRAISING ASPECT.

I THINK THAT WILL POUR MORE MONEY IN STATE-WIDE.

HERE IS THE INTERESTING PART.

I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HURTS HIM BECAUSE THEY PAINTED HIM AS A REPUBLICAN TRUMP SUPPORTER FROM DAY ONE.

SO, IT IS NOT LIKE THIS IS A REVELATION WHERE HE IS RUNNING SAYING I DON'T BELIEVE IN TRUMP, I DON'T LIKE TRUMP, AND NOW WE HAVE THIS GOTCHA THING.

THEY PAINTED HIM IN A BOX AS BEING A TRUMPISTA.

AND HE JUST SORT OF IGNORED IT.

AND NOW HE HAS GOT THIS CONFIRMATION.

I AM NOT SURE IF PRESIDENT BIDEN COMING HELPS THE GOVERNOR OR HURTS THE GOVERNOR.

I CAN TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THEY ARE WRONG ON THE WAY THEY ARE HANDLING THE ABORTION ISSUE.

I THINK BRINGING KAMALA HARRIS IN, I THINK IN A HEAVY CATHOLIC STATE, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE NECESSARILY 100% PRO LIFE BUT I DO THINK PEOPLE ARE NOT AS PRO CHOICE AS WHAT WE ARE HEARING PEOPLE LIKE THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE PRESIDENT ARE ADVOCATING FOR.

I THINK ANYBODY WHO IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY HAVE A DOWNFALL OF GETTING AN ENDORSEMENT BY A PRESIDENT OR FORMER PRESIDENT, OR HAVING WORKED ON, I THINK IT COULD AFFECT THE SITTING GOVERNOR A LITTLE BIT.

I STILL BELIEVE SHE IS GOING TO WIN THE ELECTION BY FOUR OR FIVE POINTS.

I STILL BELIEVE THE GROUND GAME THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IN NEW MEXICO RIGHT NOW IS FAR SUPERIOR TO WHATEVER -- IF THEY EVEN HAVE A GROUND GAME -- OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> Gene: LET ME ASK DAVE THIS ABOUT THE GROUND GAME.

AS WE ALL KNOW OR MIGHT NOT KNOW, MR. RONCHETTI IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A 42-STOP TOUR ACROSS THE STATE LOOKING FOR INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

AS LAURA MENTIONED JUST A SECOND AGO, AGAIN THESE LAST MINUTE PUSHES CAN BE EFFECTIVE, CERTAINLY, DAVE, BUT WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF MR. RONCHETTI'S TACTIC HERE?

>> Dave: YOU KNOW, WITH THIS MUCH VOTE BANKED ALREADY, I MEAN, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT FOR ALL OF THESE RACES THAT ARE RUNNING RIGHT NOW, I MEAN, WHEN I SAW KAMALA HARRIS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN BOTH SHOWING UP IN NEW MEXICO, I THOUGHT, OKAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR BANDWAGONS THAT ARE GOING TO DELIVER, THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO GET REELECTED AND THEY CAN CHALK THAT UP AS A WIN BECAUSE THEY WENT AND HELPED, RIGHT.

I DON'T THINK THE RONCHETTI -- YOU KNOW -- THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

POLITICS IS ABOUT IDEAS.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO MAKE THE STATE SAFER?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE SAFER?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO MAKE SURE THERE IS MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY?

WE JUST DON'T HEAR THIS.

WE HEAR IT IS, JUST, YOU KNOW, WE BASH THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE THEY ARE KILLING BABIES AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE LIKE, WELL, WE ARE NOT DOING THAT, THAT IS AGAINST OR VALUES.

AND, THEN, YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY WE END UP ELECTING PEOPLE THAT DON'T DO ANYTHING, JUST THESE CULTURAL ISSUES, REALLY, I DON'T THINK ARE GOOD TOOLS FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE, BUT, YOU KNOW, I LIKE IDEAS.

I LIKE, HERE IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO.

>> Gene: YOU'RE ABOUT IT.

GUYS SOME OTHER RACES GOING ON STATE-WIDE OF COURSE, DEMOCRATS HAVE FIRM LEADS, BERNALILLO COUNTY DA RAUL TORREZ IS LEADING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE BY ABOUT 10 POINTS ACCORDING TO THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL POLL RECENTLY.

THAT IS AS THE ADVERTISING IN HIS RACE, OF COURSE, GETS MORE NASTY AND SO, LAURA, IS IT TOO MUCH FOR JEREMY GAY TO MAKE UP AT THIS POINT?

10 POINTS IS AN AWFULLY BIG LEAD GOING INTO THE LAST WEEKEND.

>> Laura: IT IS A HUGE DISADVANTAGE FOR HIM AT THIS POINT.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THE NAME ID IS ONE ISSUE, RIGHT?

AND HE HAS NOT BEEN UP ON TV AS MUCH AS RAUL HAS BEEN.

RAUL HAD A TOUGH PRIMARY, HE WAS UP EARLY IN THAT RACE AND GOT HIS NAME OUT THERE.

JUST BEING THE DA IN BERNALILLO COUNTY MEANS HE HAS MORE NAME ID.

NOW, THERE IS NEGATIVES TOO BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE BLAME HIM FOR THE CRIME ISSUE AS MUCH AS THEY BLAME THE MAYOR AND POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> Gene: HAS IT STUCK?

HE IS BLAMED BUT, YOU KNOW -- >> Laura: I DON'T THINK SO.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS EXPERIENCE, RIGHT, HE HAS BEEN A PROSECUTOR, DA FOR THE LAST HOWEVER LONG AND THEN HE WAS A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR BEFORE THAT.

HE HAS GOT THE CREDENTIALS TO BE ABLE TO SAY CREDIBLY, I AM WELL QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION.

NOW, JEREMY GAY HAS GOOD CREDENTIALS ON HIS SIDE BUT HE IS FROM SUCH A SMALL PART OF THE STATE THAT IT IS HARDER TO GET HIS NAME OUT THERE AND I THINK HE ALREADY SORT OF IS SWIMMING UPSTREAM AND IT IS GOING TO BE HARD FOR HIM TO MAKE THAT HUGE MARGIN UP.

>> Dan: DANIEL, CAN YOU DO THIS IN 30 SECONDS?

HOW ABOUT MAGGIE TOULOUSE-OLIVER?

SHE HAS A 15 POINT LEAD.

ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> Dan: WHO IS HER OPPONENT?

I MEAN, BUT I THINK THAT IS AN INTERESTING DEAL ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE AG AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE, WE ARE SAYING THE AG REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE HAS NO NAME RECOGNITION, YET HE IS WITHIN 10 POINTS.

WE HAVE A SECRETARY OF STATE RACE WITH THE REPUBLICAN WITH NO NAME ID, SHE IS DOWN BY 15.

IT SHOWS YOU HOW BAD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OF READING THE TEA LEAVES.

YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT HAS NO NAME RECOGNITION THAT IS ALMOST WITH A SINGLE POINT DIGITS OF STRIKING.

HAD YOU COME OUT AFTER THE PRIMARY WHERE RAUL WAS ATTACKED AND CONTINUED TO PAINT HIM IN THE BOX HE WAS PAINTED IN IN THE PRIMARY AND BUILD YOUR POSITIVES, YOU CANNOT COME OUT, ESPECIALLY WITH EARLY AND ABSENTEE VOTING TWO WEEKS BEFORE RUNNING TV AND EXPECTS TO BE A LEGITIMATE CANDIDATE.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

DAVE MADE THAT POINT EARLIER.

A LOT OF VOTES HAVE BEEN CAST ALREADY THAT IS THE NEW TREND BY MAIL, UP TO 30% OF THEM.

THANK YOU TO OR LINE OPINION PANEL.

WE'LL BACK HERE AT VIRTUAL ROUND TABLE IN A LITTLE OVER 10 MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES TIGHTENING UP ACROSS THE STATE.

FIRST A CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR.

NOW, LEADING UP TO ELECTION DAY, WE WORKED TO BRING YOU INTERVIEWS OF EVERY MAJOR CANDIDATE BUT AFTER REACHING OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO LIBERTARIAN KAREN BEDONIE AND REPUBLICAN MARK RONCHETTI AND GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, ONLY THE GOVERNOR ACCEPTED OUR REQUEST.

THE GOVERNOR WAS RECENTLY IN LAS CRUCES WHERE SHE SPOKE WITH ANTHONY MORENO.

HE IS DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AT OUR SISTER STATION KRWG.

HERE IS ANTHONY.

>> Anthony: ONE BIG ISSUE IS PUBLIC SAFETY IN NEW MEXICO.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN IN NOT ONLY THIS RACE BUT OTHER RACES ACROSS NEW MEXICO ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR STATE.

IF REELECTED WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Lujan Grisham: WELL, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE ON THE PATH THAT WE HAVE BEEN ON AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS ARE, YOU KNOW, REALLY AWARE OF WHAT THOSE STEPS HAVE BEEN AND WHY THEY ARE CRITICAL.

OF COURSE CRIME IS NOW A NATIONAL ISSUE THAT IS REQUIRING AND IT DOES DESERVE THAT ATTENTION, TO REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT HAS GONE WRONG.

HERE IS WHAT WENT WRONG.

NO.

1, YOU HAVE TO INVEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO INVEST IN OFFICERS AND THEIR TRAINING AND THEIR EQUIPMENT THEN YOU PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION THAT FOR ANY HARDSHIP, ANY ISSUE, ANYTHING THAT CHANGES, YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOLKS IN GROWING COMMUNITIES, RIGHT, TO KEEP US SAFE.

TWO, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FIREARMS THAT ARE FLOODING OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE KNOW THAT IS A RISK.

WE NEED STATES TO REALLY KEEP UP WITH THAT.

AND JUST IN THOSE TWO ISSUES ALONE, IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE DANGEROUS REPEAT OFFENDERS NEED TO STAY IN JAIL AND IN PRISON LONGER, WE HAVE DONE WORK ON ALL THREE.

>> Anthony: NOW YOU HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT BAIL REFORM IN THE STATE.

OTHER LAWMAKERS, PROSECUTORS HAVE VOICED A NEED FOR IT.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THIS AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE USED WHERE IT IS NOT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST FOLKS WHO MAY BE LIVING IN POVERTY?

>> Lujan Grisham: WELL, YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON INTERVIEWING ME WHO HAS GOTTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT ISSUE.

I HAVE TO SAY, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THIS.

THIS IS A STATE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER STATES, THAT QUITE FRANKLY WAS DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIVIDUALS TOO POOR TO BAIL OUT.

REMEMBER THESE CAN BE INNOCENT INDIVIDUALS, THAT IS HOW OUR CONSTITUTION IS BASED.

THERE IS A PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.

THEY ARE RAISING THEIR FAMILIES.

MAYBE IT IS HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD, SINGLE PARENT, SO THERE IS ISSUES.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND IT USUALLY FALLS ON THE FOLKS THAT GET HELD ARE MINORITY MEN AND WOMEN AND IT IS NOT APPLIED AS EQUALLY, IT APPEARS, AND THAT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM.

THAT IS WHY NEW MEXICO CHANGED THAT IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT THE PRESUMPTION IS YOU SHOULDN'T BE HELD, RIGHT?

THAT IS HOW IT SHIFTED.

THERE IS A PRESUMPTION THAT NO ONE ARRESTED UNTIL TRIAL SHOULD BE ARRESTED, THEN, JUDGES HAVE THE DISCRETION USING PROSECUTORIAL INFORMATION, PRIOR ISSUES LIKE PRIOR ARRESTS, CONVICTIONS, TO ASSESS RISK.

IN MY VIEW, GENE, SO MANY ISSUES, ASSESSMENTS ARE ONLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY WERE BUILT TO TRY TO APPLY TO.

EACH CASE IS UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT AND I WANT TO GO TO THE FEDERAL SYSTEM WHICH REVERSES THE PRESUMPTION WHICH IS, IF YOU'RE DANGEROUS OR YOU USE, RIGHT, A FIREARM, IT IS A HOMICIDE, OR YOU'RE A REPEAT VIOLENT OFFENDER, AGGRAVATED BATTERY, AS AN EXAMPLE, THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHERE THE PRESUMPTION IS YOU'RE TOO DANGEROUS IN THE COMMUNITY PENDING A TRIAL AND IT IS REBUTTABLE.

IF A PUBLIC DEFENDER SAYS, THAT IS NOT TRUE, YOU KNOW, THIS PERSON IS INNOCENT.

THIS IS WHAT OCCURRED, NOT A RISK, THEN YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE THAT INDIVIDUAL NOT STAY IN JAIL PENDING TRIAL.

THAT IS THE FEDERAL SYSTEM.

I SEE NO EVIDENCE THAT SYSTEM DOESN'T PROVIDE CLARITY, RIGHT?

THE KIND OF SUBSTANTIVE OUTCOMES THAT KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFER AND THAT WE KNOW WHAT THOSE STANDARDS ARE.

IN A 60-DAY SESSION WITH A YEAR IN BETWEEN AND WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IN PUBLIC SAFETY, I THINK IT STANDS A BETTER SHOT.

BUT I WANT TO TELL YOU, IT IS A HEAVY LIFT FOR PEOPLE WHO WORRY THAT IT MAY REVERSE US BACK TO A PLACE OF DISCRIMINATION.

I AM STILL GOING TO CALL FOR IT AND I AM GOING TO FIGHT LIKE HELL TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT OVER THE FINISH LINE.

>> Anthony: THE PANDEMIC IMPACTED US IN SO MANY WAYS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DATA OUT ABOUT HOW YOUNG ONES WERE IMPACTED.

A LOT OF CHILDREN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN NEW MEXICO LOST PARENTS, LOVED ONES, GUARDIANS.

HOW DO WE ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE?

>> Lujan Grisham: WHEN I WAS SECRETARY OF HEALTH IN 2004, WE HAD A COUPLE OF SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND BY THE TIME I WAS DOING SOMETHING ELSE, THREE YEARS LATER THERE WAS 68.

AND THEY WERE INCREDIBLY ROBUST.

SHORTLY THEREAFTER ALL THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CAME OUT OF THOSE SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS AND WE WENT BACK TO ABOUT 25.

WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING THOSE UP AND I AM FEELING EVEN MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE ABILITY TO DO COMPREHENSIVE, RIGHT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INSIDE SCHOOLS.

IT ALSO MEANS, WE NEED SOCIAL WORKERS AND COUNSELORS, SO WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

WE HIRED 80 AT CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT RECENTLY.

WE ARE NOW PARTNERING WITH UNIVERSITIES LIKE THIS ONE AND SPECIFICALLY HIGHLANDS WHO SPECIALIZES IN SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, SO IT IS A NEW RECRUITMENT PROGRAM AND TRAINING PROGRAM SPECIFIC TO SCHOOL AGE POPULATIONS AND TO CYFD AND IT IS WORKING.

>> Anthony: I WANT TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER ISSUE.

OF COURSE, CLIMATE CHANGE IS IMPACTING US ALL.

IF REELECTED WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP TO TAKE ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN OUR STATE?

>> Lujan Grisham: I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

BECAUSE WE ARE AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER ON ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND BEING REALLY CLEAR ABOUT PROTECTING OUR AIR, LAND AND WATER.

SO NEW MEXICO HAS VERY ROBUST METHANE RULES WHICH BASICALLY MEANS WE ARE NOT GOING TO POLLUTE THE AIR.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE WORST, RIGHT, GREENHOUSE GASES AND THAT COMES RIGHT OFF OIL AND GAS.

WE DON'T LET YOU FLARE ANYMORE AND WE DON'T LET YOU EMIT METHANE AND NOW OZONE SO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN NEW MEXICO'S RULES WHICH WERE ADOPTED IN A BIPARTISAN AND COORDINATED STRATEGIC EFFORT WITH OIL AND GAS SO WE KNOW THEY ARE WORKING AND IT ALSO BROUGHT JOBS AND MORE MONEY TO THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

SO THOSE ARE TWO HUGE AREAS BUT WE ALSO HAVE A CLIMATE CHANGE TASKFORCE THAT HAS BEEN HIGHLIGHTED AROUND THE COUNTRY AS ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST.

SO WE ARE CAPPING, RIGHT.

WE ARE DOING ABANDON WELLS, WE ARE DOING HEALTHY SOILS.

THIS UNIVERSITY IS LEADING IN THE COUNTRY IN MAKING SURE THAT SOIL WHICH DOES CARBON CAPTURE ALL BY ITSELF IS BEING ENGAGED IN A MORE PRODUCTIVE AND SPECIFIC WAY.

AND WE ARE ALSO DOING CONSERVATION, SO THAT WE ARE REALLY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR GENERATIONS OF NEW MEXICANS.

WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING IN CLEANING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CLEANING WATER, BRAND NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN WASTEWATER, DEALING WITH SEPTIC TANK ISSUES ALL AROUND THE STATE AND THERE IS MORE.

THAT IS OUR RECORD TO DATE.

WHERE WE ARE GOING IS LARGELY WE ASKED FOR A GO BOND TO CONSIDER IN THE LAST SESSION A CONSERVATION FUND, WHICH IS ALSO AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLIMATE CRISIS TACKLE EFFORT.

IT IS ALL OF THE ABOVE.

INSTEAD OF A GO BOND QUESTION, I THINK WE ARE LIKELY TO ASK FOR A SIZEABLE INVESTMENT IN A SET-ASIDE FUND LIKE OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND WHICH WE'LL INVEST IN THOSE EFFORTS INCLUDING GETTING AT OUR FORESTS.

THE ISSUE IS IT IS HOTTER AND DRYER SO WE NEED BETTER STEWARDSHIP AND I AM SURE YOU'RE AWARE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SAID WE THINK THEY ARE LIABLE FOR ONE OF THE WORST FIRES IN OUR HISTORY, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO SAID NEW MEXICO STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS, WHICH WE HAVE LAUNCHED, ARE SOME OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY AND THEY ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO GET BACK INTO OUR FORESTS AND MAKE THEM HEALTHIER.

>> Anthony: FACING THOSE DISASTERS THAT WE FACED, TWO OF THE LARGEST WILDFIRES IN OUR STATE THIS YEAR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU TOOK AWAY FROM THAT EXPERIENCE AND HOW IT IMPACTED NEW MEXICO THAT YOU THINK MAY HELP US AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS TO TAKE FROM THIS?

>> Lujan Grisham: WELL, A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I WOULD LOVE TO AVOID EVERY NATIONAL DISASTER AND I WOULD LOVE TO AVOID THAT IT IS NOT JUST AN EXTREME DROUGHT HERE, THIS STATE AND THE WEST IS UNDERGOING ARIDIFICATION.

LET'S BE EARNEST BECAUSE WE HAVE IGNORED AS A PLANET AND WE HAVE IGNORED AS A COUNTRY THAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS REAL.

EVEN IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE USING SCIENCE AND EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGY, SO WE DECARBONIZED THE UTILITY SECTORS.

WE SET THOSE GOALS.

WE ARE INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

ALL OF THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH FIRES, RIGHT.

THIS ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE OVER NIGHT AND WITH THAT FIRE -- IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, 31 COUNTIES WERE ON FIRE.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

WE MAKE SURE THAT THE INVESTMENTS OUT OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, 350 MILLION-DOLLARS, A TON OF MONEY, THAT WE ARE GOING TO INVEST IN THE KINDS OF EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES THAT ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN A PRODUCTIVE, SAFE FOOTPRINT UNTIL WE ACTUALLY REVERSE THE CATASTROPHIC EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE TODAY.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> Anthony: I WANT TO MOVE ON TO EDUCATION.

A LOT OF ISSUES IN EDUCATION.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME BIG CONCERNS IN RECENT YEARS ABOUT KEEPING TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

THE PANDEMIC, OF COURSE THE IMPACT THAT MAY HAVE HAD ON IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH THE EFFORTS YOU HAVE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE TO KEEP TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM, IF REELECTED.

>> Lujan Grisham: LET'S TALK ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE JUST RELEASED A PRETTY INCREDIBLE STUDY WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED THAT WE REDUCED TEACHER VACANCIES IN THIS LAST YEAR BY 34%.

IT IS ONE OF THE BEST EFFORTS IN THE COUNTRY SO I WANT TO THANK NEW MEXICO STATE FOR PUTTING OUT THAT INFORMATION.

SO WE DO IT BY MAKING SURE THAT OUR CURRENT EDUCATORS HAVE LOAN FORGIVENESS, CURRENT EDUCATORS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SOME CASES, IF IT IS A HARD TO TEACH, HARD TO FILL AREA, FREE HOUSING.

WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE THE HIGHEST PAID EDUCATORS NOW IN THE REGION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE.

WE ARE ALSO MAKING SURE TO EDUCATE NEW EDUCATORS.

THAT IS FREE.

SO, COLLEGE IS NOW FREE FOR EDUCATORS.

WE HAVE A SEVERAL PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE ENDOWED THAT NOW WITH OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

THIS ACTUAL UNIVERSITY PUT OUT THE HIGHEST ENROLLMENT THEY HAVE EVER SEEN, RIGHT?

IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP, PRETTY INCREDIBLE.

THAT IS ALREADY HAVING AN IMPACT BUT IT MIGHT BE A PLACE FOR ME, WHEN YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND WE ARE BUILDING TO THE FUTURE, AND WE ARE, AND WE ARE DOING THAT SUCCESSFULLY, WHICH WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF.

SMALLER CLASS SIZES, DEAL WITH THOSE VACANCIES, MAKE SURE YOU AREN'T AT WAR WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION.

HAVE RESPECT AND DIGNITY.

IF YOU WANT BETTER OUTCOMES, HAVE MORE TIME IN SMALLER CLASSROOMS WITH STUDENTS.

>> Anthony: THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT WORKING AGE POPULATION LEAVING THIS STATE.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IF YOU'RE REELECTED, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU'LL FOCUS ON TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE?

>> Lujan Grisham: WELL, KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

THEY ARE GOING TO COLLEGE.

OLDER ADULTS ARE GOING TO COLLEGES, MORE LICENSES, MORE BUSINESSES.

MORE PEOPLE STAYING HERE AND MOVING HERE THAN EVER BEFORE.

LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN 14 YEARS.

I THINK THOSE NUMBERS AND OUTCOMES REALLY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

I DON'T THINK YOU NEED A LEGISLATIVE ACTION EXCEPT THIS, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP INVESTING.

WE HAVE SEEN ENORMOUS JOB GROWTH RIGHT HERE.

I THINK YOU HAVE A FILM SCHOOL, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE SEEING JOBS IN RURAL AREAS.

LIKE JAMBOREE, 300 JOBS.

CANNABIS INNOVATION AND HIGH TECH.

WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THAT THEY REALLY NEED IS TO KNOW THEY CAN BUILD CAREERS THEMSELVES.

LAST THING ABOUT A WORKFORCE.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A COUPLE OF KEY CHALLENGES.

LONG-TERM CARE, CARE GIVING AND AG AND WE HAVE MADE INCREDIBLE INVESTMENTS TO BUILD OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG FARMERS IN NEW MEXICO AND I AM BEGINNING TO SEE THAT IT IS PAYING OFF.

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO KRWG AND ANTHONY MORENO FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE 27 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR ON KRWG'S YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, LET'S BRING BACK THE LINE OPINION PANEL AS WE SHIFT OUR FOCUS TO NEW MEXICO'S THREE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

RECENT POLLING FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL SHOWS DEMOCRATS LEADING IN ALL THREE RACES, THE CLOSEST BEING CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2 WHERE GABE VASQUEZ HOLDS A SLIGHT TWO POINT LEAD OVER INCUMBENT YVETTE HERRELL, BUT DIFFERENT SOURCES LIKE EMERSON COLLEGE POLL SHOWED MS. HERRELL WITH A DOUBLE DIGIT LEAD.

DANIEL, THESE KIND OF THINGS ARE HARD TO PARSE.

I HAVE GOT TO ASK YOU FROM YOUR GUT HERE A LITTLE BIT, LAST WEEK WHEN I ASKED A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PANELISTS WHO STOOD THE BEST CHANCE OF KNOCKING OFF AN INCUMBENT, THE CONSENSUS DAVE VASQUEZ.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE IN YOUR MIND?

>> Dan: YEAH, I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THAT THE ONE THING -- SO, DOWN SOUTH, LAS CRUCES IS REALLY KIND OF CHANGED THE CD2 DISTRICT.

AS YOU KNOW, CD2 IS A STAUNCH CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN DISTRICT AND WITH LAS CRUCES TURNING MORE PROGRESSIVE, MORE LEFT, IT HAS BECOME A BIGGER PLAYER BUT WHAT I DO FIND IS THOSE PRO OIL AND GAS, THOSE PRO AG, THOSE RURAL NEW MEXICO FOLKS, GABE IS JUST -- HE IS WAY TOO FAR LEFT, I THINK, FOR THOSE FOLKS.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE PROGRESSIVE GROUP OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS ENOUGH STROKE IN CD2 TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO MAKE UP FOR THE HARD CORE MODERATE DEMOCRAT CONSERVATIVES AND REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVES THAT WILL SUPPORT YVETTE HERRELL.

I THINK SHE WINDS UP WINNING BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

>> Gene: LAURA, INTERESTINGLY, OUT OF ALL THE THREE CONGRESSIONAL RACES, CANDIDATES IN CD2 HAVE RAISED THE MOST MONEY, WITH MS. HERRELL PULLING IN MORE THAN FOUR MILLION AND DAVE VASQUEZ OVER 3.2 MILLION.

BOTH CAMPAIGNS ARE AIRING TELEVISION ADS ATTACKING EACH OTHER IN THE FINAL DAYS.

YOU CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THEM.

BUT HERE IS THE QUESTION, DOES MS. HERRELL'S FUNDRAISING GIVE HER AN ADVANTAGE AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY, THAT FINAL PUSH THAT ALWAYS SPENDS A LOT OF MONEY, THAT IS FOR SURE.

>> Laura: WELL, I MEAN, THE MEDIA BUY IS OFTEN SO FAR IN ADVANCE THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN VERY QUICKLY TURN UP IF YOU GET A LOT MORE INFLUX OF MONEY.

SOMETIMES YOU CAN.

BUT THERE ARE MEDIA BUYS THAT HAVE TO OCCUR PRIOR TO THAT AND SO SOME OF THAT, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, IS SET.

BUT THERE IS ALSO RADIO.

RADIO IS STILL EFFECTIVE IN A LOT OF THESE SMALL TOWNS.

YOU KNOW, THE LOCAL RETAIL POLITICS IN A LOT OF -- ESPECIALLY IN CD2, I THINK, IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

BUT ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND, THIS PARTICULAR POLL HAD A TOTAL OF 625 VOTERS WHO WERE POLLED.

THE LESS PEOPLE YOU POLL THE HIGHER THE POTENTIAL MARGIN OF ERROR.

RIGHT?

AS OPPOSED TO EMERSON POLL THAT CAME OUT.

THAT WAS 1000 PEOPLE CITY WIDE.

SO, THAT IS AN ISSUE.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED EXACTLY AT THE CROSS TABS FOR THIS POLL.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT IN DETAIL BUT I WILL SAY THIS, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE AFTER REDISTRICTING THAT ARE IN ALBUQUERQUE IN THE SOUTH VALLEY AND IN ALBUQUERQUE THAT ARE ON THE WESTSIDE.

I AM NOW IN CD2 WHICH IS WEIRD TO BE IN THE SAME DISTRICT AS MY HOMETOWN AND MY FIANCÉ'S HOMETOWN.

IT IS WEIRD.

BUT THOSE PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, THOSE VOTERS ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS ELECTION, POTENTIALLY.

SO, YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, WERE THEY ALSO PART OF THIS POLL OR DID THEY ONLY POLL LIKELY VOTERS OR VOTERS WHO HAD CAST BALLOTS IN THIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN 2018 AND 2020.

IF THEY DID NOT CAPTURE THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOW IN THERE THAT USED TO BE IN CD1.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD WANT TO EXPLORE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO CONSIDER HOW ACCURATE THIS PARTICULAR POLL WAS.

BUT, I DO KNOW THAT WHAT WAS INTERESTING TO ME IS THAT I SAW THAT THE JOURNAL ENDORSED GABE VASQUEZ WHICH IS REALLY SURPRISING.

I EXPECTED HIM -- THEY ENDORSED RONCHETTI SO I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THEM TO ENDORSE HERRELL AND THEY DIDN'T, THEY ENDORSED VASQUEZ.

ALL THREE OF THE DEMOCRAT CONGRESSIONAL SEATS WERE ENDORSED BY THE JOURNAL.

>> Dan: CD1 I THOUGHT WAS THE REPUBLICAN.

I THOUGHT THEY ENDORSED THE ONE IN ALBUQUERQUE THEY ENDORSED EARLY WAS THE REPUBLICAN LADY, I THOUGHT.

>> Laura: I THOUGHT ALL THREE OF THEM WERE.

WE CAN DOUBLE CHECK THAT BUT EITHER WAY I KNOW THAT FOR DAVE VASQUEZ BECAUSE THAT CAUGHT MY EYE TO SEE AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE JOURNAL FOR HIM AND THE FACT -- I AM NOT SURPRISED THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY BEING SPENT IN THAT RACE AS OPPOSED TO OTHER TWO BECAUSE THERE ARE OUTSIDE FORCES PUTTING MONEY IN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

THERE IS A LOT MORE MONEY COMING IN.

THEY ARE SHOWING UP ON NATIONAL WATCH LISTS.

IT IS SUCH JUST SUCH A DIVISIVE DC ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW THAT EVERY SEAT IS UP FOR GRABS AND THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING TO TRY TO MAKE AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT IN THESE SEATS THAT ARE GETTABLE WHICH THEN MEANS THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO TRYING TO DEFEND THAT SEAT.

>> Gene: ALL THREE WERE DEMOCRAT ENDORSEMENTS, TO CONFIRM THERE.

DAVE, INTERESTINGLY, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, MS. HERRELL WON BY SEVEN POINTS OVER XOCHITI TORRES SMALL BACK IN 2020 JUST TO KIND OF TOSS THAT ASIDE THERE FOR A QUICK SECOND.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS, THE TWO DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS IN THE OTHER DISTRICTS SEEM TO BE OVERCOMING WHAT WERE EXPECTED TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE DISTRICT LINES AS LAURA JUST MENTIONED THAT INCLUDED MORE CONSERVATIVE AREAS OF THE STATE.

BUT THAT SAID, MICHELLE GARCIA HOLMES IS ONLY DOWN SIX POINTS TO MELANIE STANSBURY ACCORDING TO THAT JOURNAL POLL.

IS THERE ANYTHING MS. GARCIA HOLMES CAN DO TO MAKE UP THAT GAP?

>> Dave: LIKE ALL THINGS, IF YOU KEEP RUNNING YOU KEEP GETTING MORE AND MORE NAME RECOGNITION, WHICH SHE HAS BEEN RUNNING -- SHE RAN FOR MAYOR.

SHE WAS IN THE SENATE RACE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE WHOLE IDEA OF THIS REDISTRICTING, IT WAS A BIT OF A BOLD MOVE WHAT THEY DID, HOW THEY DID IT.

DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED IT COMPLETELY.

THEY CONTROLLED THE LEGISLATURE.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED OFF ON IT.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL IT WORK?

UP NORTH THERE WAS A COMPLAINT BY THAT CANDIDATE THAT THEY HAD MADE HER DISTRICT MORE COMPETITIVE FOR REPUBLICANS.

THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE CASE WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE POLLING, SO, YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION, TOO, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ENDORSEMENTS BY THE JOURNAL, DO THESE ENDORSEMENTS MATTER?

THAT IS WHAT I KEEP WONDERING.

DO WE KNOW?

DO THE TELEVISION STATIONS ENDORSE?

WHO DO THEY ENDORSE?

DOES IT MATTER IF THEY ENDORSE?

THAT IS THE WHOLE THING.

FOR A NUMBER TO THROW OUT THERE, THERE WAS A NUMBER OUT THIS MORNING, 16.7 BILLION-DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THESE MIDTERM RACES NATIONWIDE.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT.

IT REALLY IS INCREDIBLE.

>> Dan: GENE GRANT REVENUE KIND OF MONEY RIGHT THERE.

THAT IS GENE GRANT INCOME RIGHT THERE.

>> Dave: IT IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

MONEY IS NEVER AN OBJECT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE RACES.

>> Gene: YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT THERE, DAVE, THAT MONEY CORRUPTS.

THAT KIND OF THING.

HEY DAN, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT DISTRICT 3, SECOND TIME CANDIDATES STRUGGLING UP THERE.

JOURNAL POLLING SHOWING INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT, LEGER-FERNANDEZ 18 POINT LEAD OVER REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MARTINEZ JOHNSON.

>> Dave: SO, I THINK SHE IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, SHE IS LOCAL TO THE AREA.

I THINK SHE HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB.

SHE SEEMS TO BE WELL LIKED, AND, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY IT IS 96% OF ALL CONGRESSMEN ARE REELECTED, SHE IS GOING TO BE RIGHT IN THERE, YOU KNOW, SHE IS GOING TO KEEP THAT SEAT FOR AS LONG AS SHE WANTS.

>> Gene: DANIEL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DID THE MARTINEZ JOHNSON COMING IN AT 35% AND INCUMBENT AT 53%, THE DISTRICT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE THAN THIS.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> Dan: IT IS NOT MORE COMPETITIVE.

IT IS STILL A HEAVY DEMOCRAT DISTRICT.

I STILL BELIEVE AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT I THINK CD3 AND CD2 WERE BOTH EXTREMELY STRONG DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SEATS AND WHAT I THINK THEY DID WAS CHIPPED OFF A LITTLE OF THE LIBERAL SIDE AND A LITTLE OF THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF BOTH THOSE DISTRICTS AND PUT THEM INTO CD1.

I DON'T THINK THEY MADE CD3 OR CD2 THAT MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE BUT I THINK THEY MADE CD1 MORE COMPETITIVE BACK TO THE DAY WHEN THEY HAD YOUR FORMER BOSS, WHO BY THE WAY IS RECIPIENT OF ALL THAT MONEY AT UTEP, THE PRESIDENT OF UTEP, WILSON.

SHE IS KNOCKING THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK FROM 40 MILES ACROSS THE STATE LINE.

I THINK THEY MADE THE SEATS MORE COMPETITIVE ON PAPER BUT WHEN YOU START GETTING IN -- WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT REDISTRICTING YOU LOOK AT VOTER TENDENCIES, DEMOGRAPHICS.

WE KNOW THAT YOU CAN PUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF DEMOCRATS IN ONE DISTRICT, BUT IF YOU DON'T PUT ENOUGH WITH THE SAME RACE, THEN THEY DON'T GET THE SAME OUTCOME.

SO, IT IS EASY TO SAY, LISTEN, WE MADE THIS DISTRICT MORE COMPETITIVE BY VOTERS BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MADE IT MORE COMPETITIVE BY ETHNICITY BUT IF YOU DON'T GET THE RIGHT COMBINATION IT REALLY DOESN'T DO MUCH TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.

>> Gene: THAT IS A VERY GOOD POINT THERE.

VERY INTERESTING.

LAURA, WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS IN BEFORE WE GET OUT OF HERE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TURNOUT IN STATE RACES.

WHAT ABOUT HERE, BECAUSE AGAIN, AS DAVE MENTIONED BEFORE, EARLY VOTING AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES WITH IT IS VERY IMPACTFUL THESE DAYS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VOTES IN AND COUNTED ALREADY.

>> Laura: RIGHT, I MEAN EARLY VOTING IS TRENDING DEMOCRAT.

ABSENTEE BALLOT TENDS TO BE FAIRLY EVENLY SPLIT, IT HAS IN THE PAST, BUT THE REPUBLICANS EDGE OUT A LITTLE BIT IN ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

IT IS OLDER DEMOGRAHICS THAT TEND TO USE ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

ELECTION DAY ITSELF IS OFTEN HUGELY DEMOCRAT.

PEOPLE STILL LOVE TO GO TO THE POLLS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY, BECAUSE YOU STAND IN LINE IN MANY CASES.

THAT IS GOING TO BE -- I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG NIGHT THAT WE ARE WAITING FOR RESULTS TO COME IN FROM CERTAIN AREAS.

SO, I STILL THINK THAT I AGREE WITH DAN THAT MICHELLE LUJAN-GRISHAM IS GOING TO EDGE IT OUT BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE A LONG NIGHT WAITING FOR THE RESULTS TO COME IN.

>> Gene: THANKS AGAIN TO OUR PANELISTS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE FOR OUR FINAL DISCUSSION OF THE DAY IN A LITTLE OVER 10 MINUTES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE NEW OIL AND GAS DRILLING APPROVED NEAR CHACO, BUT BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, OUR FINAL CANDIDATE CONVERSATION OF THE ELECTION SEASON WITH DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2, DAVE VASQUEZ.

OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS WE MADE MULTIPLE CALLS AND SENT SEVERAL EMAILS TO YVETTE HERRELL'S CAMPAIGN.

SHE NEVER GOT BACK -- RESPONSE BACK TO OUR REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

FOR THAT REASON, GWYNETH DOLAND'S INTERVIEW WITH GABE VASQUEZ IS OUR ONLY CANDIDATE CONVERSATION FOR CD2.

HERE IS GWYNETH.

>> Gwyneth: GABRIEL VASQUEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> Vasquez: A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Gwyneth: THIS YEAR WE HAVE SEEN A RECORD HIGH INFLUX OF MIGRANTS AT THE BORDER, MANY OF THEM FLEEING ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMICS, CRIME RELATED PROBLEMS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.

YOU'RE A FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN WITH ROOTS IN JUAREZ.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAIN ISSUE THAT WE FACE AT THE BORDER?

>> Vasquez: WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF INSTABILITY NOT JUST AT THE BORDER BUT ALL ACROSS THE WORLD AND COUNTRY AND THE CENTRAL TRIANGLE IN CENTRAL AMERICA AS WELL.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE BUT PEOPLE LOOK TO THE U.S. AS THAT BEACON OF HOPE, THAT BEACON OF LIGHT, THE PLACE WHERE THEY CAN COME AND START A BETTER LIFE.

BUT THOSE AREN'T THE ONLY ISSUES.

FOR US WE HAVE SEEN AN INFLUX OF MIGRATION ON AND OFF OVER THE YEARS FOR DECADES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY BOTH PARTIES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO WORK TOWARD SOLUTIONS THAT CREATE THE COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM THAT IS PREDICTABLE, THAT IS HUMANE THAT GIVES PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY AND THAT KEEPS YOUR BORDERS SAFE AND KEEPS OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

NOW, I HAD A CHANCE TO WORK ON THAT LAST BILL THAT THE SENATE ACTUALLY WORKED ON SENATE BILL 744 THAT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL WITH FOUR DEMOCRATS, FOUR REPUBLICANS.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS KILLED IN THE HOUSE BY THEN SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER AND SINCE THEN WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, AS A CONGRESS.

THAT IS SOMETHING I'M COMMITTED TO DOING AND AS THE SECOND LARGEST CONGRESSIONAL BORDER DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE LEADING ON.

NOW, WITH MY EXPERIENCE WITH GROWING UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER BUT BORN IN THIS COUNTRY AND HAVING PARENTS THAT ALSO WORKED TO BENEFIT THE NATIONAL ECONOMY ALTHOUGH WORKING NEARSHORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MAQUILADORA INDUSTRY IN CIUDAD JUAREZ, I UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF NOT JUST ASYLUM SEEKERS AND THE NEED TO FUND OUR IMMIGRATION COURTS, BUT AT THIS POINT TO GROW OUR INTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH OUR PARTNERS IN PLACES LIKE SAN JERONIMO, IN JUAREZ AND DOWN IN ST. TERESA.

SO THE COMPLEXITIES OF BORDER AND BORDER POLICIES ARE MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN WHAT WE SEE TODAY.

THERE IS MANY LAYERS THAT GO UNDERNEATH THOSE AND INCLUDES FOREIGN DIPLOMACY AND FOREIGN AID WITH DIFFERENT COUNTRIES LIKE GUATEMALA, LIKE EL SALVADOR, SO THAT FOLKS THAT ARE FLEEING THE VIOLENCE THERE, THAT ARE FLEEING UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, MANY OF THEM CLIMATE REFUGEES, THAT THEY HAVE SUPPORTS IN THEIR COUNTRY SO THEY CAN FEEL SAFE AND HAVE JOBS IN HOME COUNTRIES, BUT RIGHT OFF THE BAT WE HAVE TO KEEP BORDER COMMUNITIES SAFE AND SECONDLY MAKE SURE THAT ASYLUM SEEKERS COMING HERE IN LARGE NUMBERS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AT A FAIR SHOT IN COURT AS THEY DO IN THIS COUNTRY.

THAT MEANS MORE IMMIGRATION JUDGES AND A MORE ROBUST FUNDED IMMIGRATION COURT SYSTEM.

>> Gwyneth: VOTERS SAY CRIME IS ONE OF THEIR TOP ISSUES RIGHT NOW.

YOU SAID IN THE 2020 INTERVIEW WE NEED SERIOUS POLICE REFORM IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT DEFUNDING THE POLICE, IT IS ABOUT DEFUNDING A SYSTEM THAT PRIVILEGES WHITE PEOPLE ABOVE EVERYBODY ELSE.

DO YOU SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE?

>> Vasquez: 100%, I DO NOT SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

IN FACT, WHEN I WAS A CITY COUNCILOR FOUR YEARS IN A ROW I VOTED TO INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET.

I WORKED DIRECTLY WITH OUR POLICE CHIEF AS A CO-CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE IN THE CITY OF LAS CRUCES TO MAKE SURE WE WERE CREATING COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAMS THAT HELPED SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES.

INCLUDING THE LCPD CARES PROGRAM, WHICH I HELPED START WITH THE LAS CRUCES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IN ADDITION TO ADDING FUNDING TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE ALSO LOOKED AT DIFFERENT MODELS OF HOW WE COULD COMPREHENSIVELY CARE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAD MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR OTHER ISSUES THAT INCREASED THEIR RECIDIVISM WITHIN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T COME BACK OUT ON THE STREET AND RECOMMIT OR REOFFEND IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO, NO, I DID NOT SUPPORT THAT.

IN FACT, THAT COMMENT WAS ABOUT THAT PEOPLE WEREN'T PROTESTING AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

THEY WERE PROTESTING TO DEFUND THE SYSTEM THAT HAD IRREPARABLY HURT PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THIS COUNTRY FOR MANY YEARS, INCLUDING HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

NOW, THAT IS ONE THING I AM VERY PROUD OF AS A PUBLIC SERVANT, AS SOMEBODY WHO STOOD BY MY COMMUNITY, IS THAT I WILL BE OUT THERE WITH FOLKS, I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE WITH FOLKS WHEN INJUSTICES OCCUR.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED IN A GOOD LEADER.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED IN A GOOD CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SOMEBODY WILLING TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE WHEN WE NEED CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY OR IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT THEN IS ACTUALLY WILLING TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND IN MY CASE GO TO CONGRESS TO HELP FIX SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> Gwyneth: THINKING ABOUT CRIME, IT IS RELATED TO DRUGS OFTEN.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN EPIDEMIC OF FENTANYL AND MUCH OF IT BROUGHT ACROSS THE BORDER, LEGALLY, BY U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING LEGALLY.

HOW DO YOU STOP THAT?

>> Vasquez: WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, IT IS THROUGH LEGAL PORTS OF ENTRY.

MAJORITY OF DRUGS ARE COMING THROUGH EL PASO PORT OF ENTRY, SAN TERESA PORT OF ENTRY, PALOMAS, COLUMBUS PORT OF ENTRY.

THOSE ARE THE FACTS.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT THE SMUGGLING OF FENTANYL AT PORTS OF ENTRY, THAT MEANS BY BOTH PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE CROSSING.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT INVESTING IN BORDER SECURITY, IT IS NOT ABOUT A WALL.

IT IS ABOUT AGENTS AND ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND ABOUT PEOPLE ON THE BORDER WHO CAN PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES BY MAKING SURE THESE DRUGS DON'T GET IN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I WOULD RATHER WORK DIRECTLY WITH CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CATCHING THE DRUGS WHERE THEY COME FROM.

THAT IS CALLED SMART BORDER ENFORCEMENT AND YOU'RE RIGHT, THESE DRUGS, WHETHER FENTANYL OR METHAMPHETAMINE OR HEROIN HAVE ALWAYS WREAKED HAVOC IN OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE TIGHTEN UP THE LEGAL PORTS OF ENTRY WHERE THE DRUGS ARE BEING CROSSED AND FOR THOSE, ESPECIALLY AMERICAN CITIZENS, WHO ENGAGE IN THIS DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITY, THERE NEEDS TO BE REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THEM BECAUSE WHAT IS AT STAKE ARE THE LIVES OF OUR FAMILIES, OF OUR KIDS, PEOPLE HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE, AND PEOPLE IN LAS CRUCES AND IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME THAT WE JUST GIVE A SLAP ON THE WRIST TO SOMEBODY WHO WOULD CAUSE SUCH HARM TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE LAWS AND LOOK AT OUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE ADEQUATELY AND PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES.

>> GWYNETH: GUNS ARE A MAJOR ISSUE AND OUR VIOLENT CRIME AND WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS IN NEW MEXICO.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT MORE GUN CONTROL WILL REDUCE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH CRIME?

>> Vasquez: I DON'T WANT TO REFER TO IT AS GUN CONTROL.

I THINK IT IS GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION.

NOW, I'LL SAY, I AM A FIREARM OWNER MYSELF.

RIGHT NOW IN MY GARAGE, I HAVE A GUN SAFE WITH SEVERAL FIREARMS I USE FOR HUNTING AND SELF DEFENSE.

THAT IS THE FAMILY I GREW UP IN, THAT IS HOW I GREW UP.

MANY NEW MEXICANS GREW UP THE SAME WAY.

BUT I ALSO GREW UP AS A RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER AND WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO.

FOR ME PERSONALLY, I DON'T OWN SEMI AUTOMATIC FIREARMS THAT SOME FOLKS SAY SHOULD BE BANNED IN THIS COUNTRY, BECAUSE I PERSONALLY HAVE NO NEED FOR THEM.

I CAN KILL A DEER OR AN ELK WITH A RIFLE.

AND I CAN DEFEND MY HOME WITH A HANDGUN.

I THINK FOR MANY OF US IN NEW MEXICO, THAT IS HOW WE GREW UP.

SO, IT IS NOT ABOUT CONTROLLING PEOPLES' ABILITY TO HAVE GUNS.

IT IS ABOUT KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND THAT IS WHY I CALL IT GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION BECAUSE THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE DOMESTIC ORDERS OF PROTECTION AGAINST THEIR SPOUSES OR AGAINST GIRLFRIENDS OR WHO HAVE COMMITTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE PROVEN PERHAPS THEY CANNOT HANDLE A FIREARM, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER THROUGH EXPANDED BACKGROUND CHECKS, THAT IS THE SOLUTION WE NEED TO START WITH IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE TRUTH IS IF WE MAKE THIS A DIVISIVE ISSUE IN THIS ELECTION, IT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY SOLUTION IS TO WORK WITH REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE AISLE AND TO START WORKING ON THOSE COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY REFORMS AND BE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT IT, TOO.

DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I ALSO DON'T WANT TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

I THINK THINGS NEED TO GET DONE IN SHORT ORDER BUT THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO IN SHORT ORDER AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> Gwyneth: SO, IF AN ASSAULT WEAPON BAN CAME UP FOR A VOTE WHILE YOU WERE IN CONGRESS, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR OR AGAINST?

>> Vasquez: WELL, I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE ISSUE IS WITH THIS TALK ABOUT ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, RIGHT?

THAT IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST THE THREE WORDS.

ASSAULT WEAPON NEEDS TO BE DEFINED FIRST AND FOREMOST.

A BAN NEEDS TO BE DEFINED, FIRST AND FOREMOST.

SO, I WOULD NEED TO LOOK AT LEGISLATION TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANT.

HOWEVER, I CAN TELL YOU, I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS IN THIS STATE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT, IN THOSE RURAL PARTS OF MY DISTRICT, I WOULDN'T MAKE ANY DECISION AS AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE WITHOUT MAKING SURE I SPOKE WITH EVERYBODY, VETERANS, HUNTERS, WITH LEGAL FIREARMS OWNERS AND ENTHUSIASTS AND THOSE KIND OF FOLKS.

SO, I WOULD NEED TO READ THE BILL BEFORE I MADE A DECISION ON THAT.

>> Gwyneth: GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN-GRISHAM THIS YEAR PLEDGED 10 MILLION-DOLLARS TO HELP BUILD A NEW REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE CLINIC IN DONA ANA COUNTY.

A CLINIC THAT WILL ALSO PROVIDE ABORTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT ABORTION?

>> Vasquez: I THINK WE HAVE GONE BACK IN TIME TO THE DARK AGES IN THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS DONE IS TRULY SHAMEFUL.

LET'S FACE IT, IT IS A TRUMP APPOINTED EXTREME SUPREME COURT THAT HAS TOLD MORE THAN 50% OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY THEY CAN NO LONGER HAVE AUTONOMY OVER THEIR OWN BODY AND OVER THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

FOR ME I AM A PROUD PROTECTOR OF WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE.

I'M SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES IN THE FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY AND THAT BIG GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE IN YOUR BEDROOM OR IN YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR MAKING DECISIONS ON YOUR BEHALF ABOUT YOUR HEALTHCARE DECISIONS.

THOSE NEED TO BE LEFT UP TO A DOCTOR AND THE PERSON WHO IS EXPERIENCING OR HAS POTENTIAL CHILDBIRTH, PERIOD.

THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO STAY.

>> Gwyneth: REDISTRICTING MADE YOUR DISTRICT MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE.

YOU'LL HAVE TO WIN OVER SOME REPUBLICANS IN ORDER TO GET ELECTED TO CONGRESS.

HOW WOULD YOU PERSUADE A CONSERVATIVE VOTER THAT A LIBERAL LIKE YOU SHOULD REPRESENT THEM IN CONGRESS?

>> Vasquez: I TELL PEOPLE I AM NOT A LIBERAL, I AM A NEW MEXICO DEMOCRAT.

THERE IS A VERY STRONG BRAND OF NEW MEXICO DEMOCRATS WHO WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES, THAT INCLUDES IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

SO I HAVE WORKED FOR MANY YEARS IN PLACES LIKE DEMING WHERE I HAVE THE ENDORSEMENTS OF THE REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF DEMING OR LORDSBURG OR SILVER CITY OR ALAMOGORDO WHERE WE HAD 166 PEOPLE SHOW UP IN A ROOM WHERE WE ONLY EXPECTED 40 PEOPLE TO SHOW UP.

I THINK WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IS NOT PARTISANSHIP IN THIS ELECTION AND THIS RACE.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR NEW MEXICO AND NEW MEXICANS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE STRINGS ATTACHED TO THEM AS PEOPLE OR TO THEIR CAMPAIGN.

I TELL PEOPLE, LOOK, I GOT A HOUSE, I HAVE A DOG.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT.

AND I GOT A TRUCK.

AND I AM VERY PROUD OF ALL THREE BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY STRING'S ATTACHED.

I AM NOT DOING THIS FOR ANY OTHER REASON OTHER THAN TO SERVE YOU WHETHER YOU'RE IN LEMITAR, SAN MIGUEL, CHAPPARAL, LAS CRUCES OR SOUTH VALLEY OF ALBUQUERQUE, I WILL TREAT YOU JUST THE SAME AND MAKE SURE WE BRING HOME RESOURCES TO YOUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THAT IS THE JOB AND THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT TAKES TO RUN FOR CONGRESS.

>> Gwyneth: GABRIEL VASQUEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> Vasquez: THANK YOU.

>> Gene: THANK YOU TO GWYNETH FOR THAT INTERVIEW.

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF OUR CONVERSATIONS ONLINE RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW MEXICO INFOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES FOR NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT, CONGRESS AND GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO.

NOW, LET'S WELCOME BACK TO THE LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR ONE FINAL DISCUSSION THIS WEEK.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY APPROVED NEW OIL AND GAS DRILLING NEW CHACO PARK.

IT IS SOMETHING OUR LAURA PASKUS AND OUR LAND HAVE BEEN COVERING FOR MONTHS.

A LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST THE BLM AND INTERIOR SECRETARY DEB HAALAND IS AIMING TO STOP THE PROJECT FROM MOVING FORWARD.

LAURA, THESE ARE TRUMP ERA LEASES THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAID IT WOULD RECONSIDER.

ARE YOU SURPRISED THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED AFTER THE STATEMENT ASKING TO RECONSIDER?

>> Laura: I WAS APPROVED, TO BE HONEST.

I THINK CERTAINLY THERE IS MANY PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT IN HIS ELECTION LAST TIME AROUND IN 2020 AND I THINK THEIR EXPECTATION WAS THAT HE WOULD BE A CHAMPION FOR PROTECTING THESE KIND OF SITES FROM FRACKING, FROM OIL AND GAS AND SO FORTH.

I THINK THAT DEB HAALAND, WHEN SHE CAME OUT LAST YEAR TO CHACO AND I THINK IN NOVEMBER, ALMOST A YEAR AGO EXACTLY, THAT IS THE SORT OF SIGNAL THEY WERE SENDING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, NOT DO THINGS LIKE THE TRUMP ERA APPROVAL OF THOSE LEASES AND SO, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT WAS AT SOME POINT CHANGED AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF CRITICISM AS A RESULT OF THAT.

CERTAINLY THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE CHALLENGED THIS IN FEDERAL COURT AND ALREADY LOOKING TO STOP THIS AND I THINK THAT THEY WILL HAVE A REASONABLE ARGUMENT TO BE MADE CERTAINLY ON HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL GROUNDS IF NOT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ABOUT THIS KIND OF FRACKING.

>> Gene: DAVE, THESE ARE TRUMP ERA LEASES.

I AM SORRY.

THAT SPAN MORE THAN 70 SQUARE MILES IN NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO.

A BIG AREA.

BUT THE PARCELS IN QUESTION ARE OUTSIDE AN INFORMAL 10-MILE BUFFER ZONE AROUND CHACO THAT THE AGENCY OBSERVED FOR YEARS.

WHY IS IT SO COMPLICATED?

>> Dave: I THINK IT IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR LIBERAL CREDIBILITY ON THE LINE AND SAY, WE ARE AGAINST THIS, YET SOME OF THE PLAYERS WHO ARE DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE TRIBES, THEY WANT THE JOBS, LIKE THE URANIUM MINE, THEY WANTED THE JOBS SO IT IS THE OLD ECONOMIC, YOU KNOW, VERSUS WHAT IS BEST AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW.

SO, I THINK IT IS VERY INTERESTING IN LIGHT OF LIKE THE TRUMP THING.

IT WAS HORRIFYING THAT THEY DID IT AND YET HERE WE ARE A FEW YEARS LATER AND DEMOCRATS ARE DOING IT ALSO BECAUSE SOME OF THE PLAYERS INVOLVED THAT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM IT ARE FOR IT.

SO, IT IS LIKE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS SORT OF, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS BAD AND WHATEVER.

IT IS JUST NOT -- THERE IS NO ONE CORRECT ANSWER, THERE IS ALWAYS A GRAY AREA WHICH WE ARE CONSTANTLY SWIMMING IN.

>> Gene: YOU KNOW, DANIEL, INTERESTINGLY, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED, 90% OF THE GREATER CHACO LANDSCAPE IS ALREADY LEASED FOR OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, AND EXPERTS FOUND THAT EMISSIONS, AS A CONSEQUENCE FROM DRILLING, ARE CAUSING HEALTH ISSUES FOR RESIDENTS.

THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT SAYS IT WILL ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENTS BEFORE IT STARTS THESE NEW PROJECTS.

SO SHOULD THESE HEALTH CONCERNS BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY?

THE TRIBES ARE SAYING IT SHOULD BE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Dan: WELL, THE TRIBES ARE NOT SAYING IT SHOULD BE.

THE NAVAJO NATION IS IN FAVOR OF DOING THIS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY WANT IT TO BE AN EVEN SMALLER ZONE THAN THE 10-MILE ZONE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS NEEDED.

YOU KNOW, IT IS INTERESTING THAT AT SOME POINT TO THE COMMENT'S DAVE MADE, WE CAN'T BE AGAINST EVERYTHING AND RUN TO THE DEAL AND SAY, WELL EVERYONE IS DYING, THIS IS KILLING EVERYBODY, WE GOT CLIMATE CHANGE, WE GOT CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEMS, AND THEN NOBODY HAS A JOB.

SO I THINK THIS IS THE QUESTION OF -- NOW WE HAVE GONE FROM ENERGY INDEPENDENCE TO ENERGY DEPENDENCE.

I THINK THAT PEOPLES OPINION OF THINGS CHANGE BY THEIR DESPERATION OF THINGS THAT THEY NEED, RIGHT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB, YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE HEAT FOR YOUR HOME AND THERE IS NOT JOBS OUT IN THE AREA, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED OF THE ANTI-DRILLING CROWD SAYING THAT, OH, DRILLING IS KILLING EVERYONE, IT IS THE END OF THE WORLD, WHEN THE REALITY IS THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO CHANGE, CONTINUES TO GROW, CONTINUES TO PUT IN ALL TYPES OF SAFEGUARDS.

IS IT 100% SAFE?

IT IS NOT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, WHEN THEY WERE DRILLING FOR URANIUM, NOBODY WAS TELLING THOSE FOLKS YOU HAD THE RISK OF DYING OF CANCER BY DRILLING FOR URANIUM.

TODAY, I WOULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT OVERWHELMINGLY OIL AND GAS DRILLING SITES ARE PRETTY DADGUM SAFE.

THEY ARE OUT THERE WITH ENOUGH INSPECTORS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

SO, I THINK PEOPLE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT, DO WE WANT JOBS OR DO WE THINK THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME UP HERE AND VISIT AND KEEP US ALL FED AND HOUSED.

AND I THINK THEY ARE FIGURING OUT THAT THE LATTER IS WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY WANT GOOD PAYING JOBS THAT THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Gene: DAN IS QUITE RIGHT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT I JUST SAID.

THE NAVAJO NATION IS IN FACT ARGUING FOR AN EVEN SMALLER AREA, LAURA, TO BE PROTECTED BECAUSE THE TRIBE AND CITIZENS OBVIOUSLY BENEFIT FROM OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT BUT HERE IS THE DICHOTOMY.

WHERE DOES THIS PUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND PARTICULARLY OUR SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR SECRETARY HAALAND AND HOW DOES SHE NAVIGATE ALL THESE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES?

THAT IS AN AWFULLY THIN NEEDLE HEAD TO TRY TO GET SOMETHING THROUGH HERE.

>> Laura: IT IS A DIFFICULT NEEDLE TO THREAD IN THIS SITUATION FOR HER, CULTURALLY, IN TERMS OF, SHE IS NATIVE, FROM THE LAGUNA PUEBLO, HAS VERY STRONG SUPPORT AMONG TRIBAL MEMBERS AND I THINK THERE ARE ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES.

THE NAVAJO NATION IS PRO THIS AND WHO CAN BLAME THEM.

THERE IS A LOT OF NEED FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THAT REGION.

IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THE DESIRE TO HAVE BETTER PAYING JOBS AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TRIBAL MEMBERS, BUT THERE IS OTHER FOLKS THAT FEEL LIKE FROM A CULTURAL PRESERVATION STANDPOINT THIS IS A SACRED AREA.

THERE IS A LOT OF TRIBES THAT FEEL THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THEY TRACE ROOTS TO.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE, THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK.

THIS HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BECAUSE OVER 99% OF CHACO PARK IS ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, DARK, NATURALLY DARK AT NIGHT.

SO, WITH OIL AND GAS DRILLING INCREASE THAT MEANS MORE POTENTIAL FLARING.

IT REALLY AFFECTS THAT NATURAL DARK SKY SO THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DO STARGAZING AND DO TOURISM RELATED TO THAT THAT ARE GOING TO BE AGAINST THIS, BUT ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND, I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO EMPHASIZE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS THAT HAS TO GO INTO THIS BEFORE IT GETS FINAL APPROVAL IS EXTENSIVE.

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT AS A FEDERAL AGENCY HAS TO OVERSEE THIS PROCESS THROUGH NEPA, NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, WHERE BASICALLY THEY HAVE TO HAVE SCOPING MEETINGS AND AT REGULAR INTERVALS LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY ARE HAVING MEETINGS WHERE THEY GET FEEDBACK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PROJECT.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT WHATEVER THE POTENTIAL SITE IS RIGHT NOW FOR SOME OF THESE OIL AND GAS DRILLINGS, IT IS GOING TO CHANGE BASED ON THE SCOPING MEETINGS THAT ARE UNDERNEATH THAT WILL BE CONDUCTED BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL IS GIVEN.

THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT.

I EXPECT THERE WILL BE A LOT OF GROUPS THAT WILL BE ORGANIZED AND SEND PEOPLE TO THESE SCOPING MEETINGS.

>> Gene: THANKS AGAIN TO OUR LINE PANEL AS ALWAYS THIS WEEK, BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY TOPICS THE LINE COVERED ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES.

AND CATCH ANY EPISODES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE PBS VIDEO APP OR YOUR ROKU OR SMART TV.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.

WE'LL BE LIVE AS COUNTS COME IN AROUND THE STATE ELECTION NIGHT STARTING AT 8:00 P.M. CHANNEL 5.4.

I'LL BE SPEAKING WITH SOME OF OUR LONG-TERM POLITICAL CONTRIBUTORS AND A GROUP OF NEW MEXICO JOURNALISTS OUT COVERING SPECIFIC RACES.

THAT 8:00 AT CHANNEL 5.4 AND WE'LL ALSO STREAM OUR COVERAGE ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK PAGES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, IN FOCUS.

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