New Mexico received a No. 1 ranking in MIT’s Election Performance Index last year, a mark Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver takes pride in. She won a special election in 2016 after former Secretary of State Dianna Duran resigned amid fraud and embezzlement charges, and Toulouse Oliver has worked to rebuild the public’s trust in the office in the ensuing years.

She joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss election integrity in New Mexico, concerns about artificial intelligence, the state’s switch to semi-open primaries, and more.

Toulouse Oliver shares how she became involved in politics and the impact working on former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s campaign had on her young career. She also discusses how conspiracy theories and misinformation have impacted her office’s job since she became secretary of state, and shares her thoughts on the debate over voter ID requirements at the polls.

Chacón closes the conversations by asking Toulouse Oliver about her proudest accomplishments as secretary of state and what she plans to do after her term ends.

New Mexico received a No. 1 ranking in MIT&rsquo;s Election Performance Index last year, a mark Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver takes pride in. She won a special election in 2016 after former Secretary of State Dianna Duran resigned amid fraud and embezzlement charges, and Toulouse Oliver has worked to rebuild the public&rsquo;s trust in the office in the ensuing years.
She joined&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n for the latest episode of &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; to discuss election integrity in New Mexico, concerns about artificial intelligence, the state&rsquo;s switch to semi-open primaries, and more.
Toulouse Oliver shares how she became involved in politics and the impact working on former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman&rsquo;s campaign had on her young career. She also discusses how conspiracy theories and misinformation have impacted her office&rsquo;s job since she became secretary of state, and shares her thoughts on the debate over voter ID requirements at the polls.
Chac&oacute;n closes the conversations by asking Toulouse Oliver about her proudest accomplishments as secretary of state and what she plans to do after her term ends.

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

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

Around the Roundhouse

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

N.M. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver talks election integrity and semi-open primaries 

A self-described “America First” candidate for U.S. Senate, Larry Marker first has some work to do to get on November’s general election ballot.

The Republican with roots in Hobbs and Roswell needs to get at least 2,531 voters to write his name on the June 2 primary ballot to advance as his party’s official candidate.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Marker joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss his views on policy and share thoughts on the state of the Republican Party in New Mexico, which has had challenges putting forth candidates in statewide races.

With a professional background in oil and gas production, farming, ranching, manufacturing and construction, Marker says one of his priorities is loosening regulations that he says are hurting small businesses.

Marker goes on to share his thoughts on Donald Trump, saying he agrees with many of the president’s policies, including those involving immigration, but that he isn’t sure if he’d get along with Trump on a personal level.

Chacón also asks Marker about his feelings toward incumbent Sen. Ben Ray Luján, who is seeking his second term. Marker says he thinks Luján is leaning too hard into the “welfare-type programs” and not doing enough to support a capitalist agenda that promotes economic opportunities.

Marker is also asked his position on abortion, and how he feels his stance could impact his electability.

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

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

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District has been one of the most hotly contested seats in the country, drawing a national spotlight in recent races to fill one of the state’s three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Amanda López Askin says she experienced that increased attention firsthand shortly after she took over as county clerk in Doña Ana County, the district’s most populous county, just before the 2018 election.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, López Askin speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón about how she has been dealing with election deniers since 2018 when Democrat Xochitl Torres Small edged Republican Yvette Herrell to win the seat, and why she thinks her time running elections in Doña Ana County has prepared her as she seeks her party’s nomination for New Mexico secretary of state in the June 2 Democratic primary.

She is running against Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark as the two vie to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

Born and raised in Las Cruces, López Askin begins the episode by discussing her background and what led her to decide to run for secretary of state. Before becoming a county clerk, she worked in the mental health field and advocacy in adolescent health and suicide prevention. She also talks about her experience being involved in the local animal rescue community and fostering over 200 dogs, which she said has earned her the nickname of “the Dog Lady” in her community.

Chacón asks López Askin about her position on the Republican-backed SAVE Act, and she addresses some misinformation she feels is put forth in discussions about the legislation.

López Askin also is asked about criticism over not having results the same night as an election. She responded that “there is no such thing as late election results, there’s accurate results,” adding that she prioritizes “accuracy over expediency” and communicating with the public.

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

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

A U.S. Air Force veteran and the first African American elected to the New Mexico Senate, Harold Pope Jr. is pursuing a new avenue of leadership as he seeks his party’s nomination for lieutenant governor.

The Albuquerque Democrat is running for statewide office for the first time in a race against Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver in the June primary.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Pope joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to share why he decided to run for the position and offer an explanation of how he would approach the role.

Pope, who says he recognizes he is an underdog in the race, feels he has a good shot to win and said he will “listen to what people want” and not just whatever his party puts forth when it comes to supporting legislation at the Roundhouse.

In a position that is often in the shadow of the governor, Pope also said he would like to take on a more prominent role than past lieutenant governors.

Born and raised in Pueblo, Colo., Pope shares his story of entering the Air Force after high school and speaks on his family’s background, which has Northern New Mexico ties. He also talks about his current pursuit of a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University, which he feels will help him in his position as vice chair of the Senate Education Committee.

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

N.M. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver talks election integrity and semi-open primaries

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