Even before she was elected to be the new chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in late April, Sara Attleson was traveling the state and spreading the message of party unity while visiting 22 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. She has continued her travels in her first month on the job, saying her focus is to show up and listen.

Attleson joined Santa Fe New Mexican senior state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to share her mission for the state’s Democratic Party and talks about the work she’s been up to so far — including establishing party infrastructure in the six counties in the state that have none.  

Chacón asks Attleson, a former librarian, about what drew her to New Mexico, how she became involved in politics and why she decided to run for the Democratic Party chair.  She is asked if the party has lost its way and about how the party should respond after Donald Trump made inroads in the state in the 2024 presidential election.

Even before she was elected to be the new chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in late April, Sara Attleson was traveling the state and spreading the message of party unity while visiting 22 of New Mexico&rsquo;s 33 counties. She has continued her travels in her first month on the job, saying her focus is to show up and listen.
Attleson joined Santa Fe New Mexican senior state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n for the latest episode of &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; to share her mission for the state&rsquo;s Democratic Party and talks about the work she&rsquo;s been up to so far &mdash; including establishing party infrastructure in the six counties in the state that have none.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Chac&oacute;n asks Attleson, a former librarian, about what drew her to New Mexico, how she became involved in politics and why she decided to run for the Democratic Party chair.&nbsp; She is asked if the party has lost its way and about how the party should respond after Donald Trump made inroads in the state in the 2024 presidential election.

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.

New Mexico Democratic Party Chair Sara Attleson speaks on efforts to strengthen the party

The world’s first detonation of a nuclear weapon took place on July 16, 1945, in the Jornada del Muerto desert southeast of Socorro, New Mexico. In the decades since the Trinity Test explosion, thousands of New Mexicans have been plagued by illness and cancers related to their over-exposure to radiation.  

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed in 1990 to provide payments to individuals who developed cancers and other serious diseases due to exposure to radiation for nuclear testing, but it wasn’t until last year that New Mexicans residents became eligible to receive compensation.

On the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Tina Cordova speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to discuss her decades of work with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium to fight for compensation and acknowledgment for New Mexico’s downwinders.

Cordova, who co-founded the organization with the late Fred Tyler in 2005, has made it her life’s work to advocate for New Mexicans who have suffered negative health effects due to radiation exposure from nuclear testing.

Since New Mexicans became eligible to receive claims under RECA last year, Cordova said about 4,000 people have applied for compensation and about 500 claims of $100,000 have been paid out. She said it is estimated that there could be 50,000 eligible claimants in the state.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico recently announced a bill that would expand RECA. The proposed measure would extend the deadline to apply for claims, broaden the locations for eligible claimants, increase the amount of compensation for each claimant from $100,000 to $150,000, and broaden the list of qualifying cancers.  

Cordova shares her perspective on how the story of New Mexico’s downwinders has gained traction over the years and speaks on the work that is still ahead. She also talks about why she felt it took so long for New Mexicans to become eligible for compensation through RECA.

Visit trinitydownwinders.com for assistance on how to apply for RECA compensation.

Cordova will be involved in a couple of upcoming events related to the Trinity Test. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, she will be among the speakers at an interfaith remembrance of the Trinity Test with Archbishop John Wester at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium will hold its annual candlelight vigil at Tularosa Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to those who have died due to the negative impact of exposure to radiation.

The world&rsquo;s first detonation of a nuclear weapon took place on July 16, 1945, in the Jornada del Muerto desert southeast of Socorro, New Mexico. In the decades since the Trinity Test explosion, thousands of New Mexicans have been plagued by illness and cancers related to their over-exposure to radiation.  
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed in 1990 to provide payments to individuals who developed cancers and other serious diseases due to exposure to radiation for nuclear testing, but it wasn&rsquo;t until last year that New Mexicans residents became eligible to receive compensation.
On the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Tina Cordova speaks with&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to discuss her decades of work with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium to fight for compensation and acknowledgment for New Mexico&rsquo;s downwinders.
Cordova, who co-founded the organization with the late Fred Tyler in 2005, has made it her life&rsquo;s work to advocate for New Mexicans who have suffered negative health effects due to radiation exposure from nuclear testing.
Since New Mexicans became eligible to receive claims under RECA last year, Cordova said about 4,000 people have applied for compensation and about 500 claims of $100,000 have been paid out. She said it is estimated that there could be 50,000 eligible claimants in the state.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico recently announced a bill that would expand RECA. The proposed measure would extend the deadline to apply for claims, broaden the locations for eligible claimants, increase the amount of compensation for each claimant from $100,000 to $150,000, and broaden the list of qualifying cancers.  
Cordova shares her perspective on how the story of New Mexico&rsquo;s downwinders has gained traction over the years and speaks on the work that is still ahead. She also talks about why she felt it took so long for New Mexicans to become eligible for compensation through RECA.
Visit trinitydownwinders.com for assistance on how to apply for RECA compensation.
Cordova will be involved in a couple of upcoming events related to the Trinity Test. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, she will be among the speakers at an interfaith remembrance of the Trinity Test with Archbishop John Wester at St. Michael&rsquo;s High School in Santa Fe. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium will hold its annual candlelight vigil at Tularosa Veterans Memorial Park to pay tribute to those who have died due to the negative impact of exposure to radiation.

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

A local who was elected Santa Fe County sheriff in 2018, Adan Mendoza’s eventful two-term tenure has included efforts to improve staffing, managing the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple stints under the national media microscope.

Mendoza’s time in office will concluded at the end of the year when he will likely be succeeded by current Santa Fe police Chief Paul Joye, who won the Democratic primary in June and faces no Republican challenger in the November general election.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, Mendoza joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón to reflect on his time in office, discuss his department’s involvement in the Rust case, offer his thoughts on his likely successor and share his plans for the future.

Mendoza, who has worked in law enforcement for 27 years, begins by discussing efforts to modernize the department’s policies. He also talks about the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement.

Asked how the department has been able to improve its staffing levels and retention, Mendoza points to implementing a “4/8/40” work schedule that gives employees full-time pay for working four eight-hour days each week, allowing for an extra eight hours of administrative leave to devote to their mental or physical well-being.

Mendoza then shares his support for Joye, who he endorsed in the primary race for county sheriff, and discusses his own future. He said he’s interested in the role of Santa Fe’s police chief and will be applying for the position.

Chacón later asks Mendoza to offer his thoughts on the recent story that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration knowingly allowed New Mexico to be flooded with fentanyl.

Mendoza is then asked about his time in the national spotlight as his department worked the case for the on-set shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the discovery of the bodies of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their Santa Fe home.

Chacón brings up a judge’s dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter case of Alec Baldwin, largely over a box of ammunition that was entered into evidence under a different case number than all other evidence related to the shooting of Hutchins. Mendoza said he bears responsibility for the handling of the evidence since it took place under his department.

Mendoza is finally asked what he will miss the most and least when he moves on from his sheriff’s role, and shares thanks to the community for the chance to serve.

A local who was elected Santa Fe County sheriff in 2018, Adan Mendoza&rsquo;s eventful two-term tenure has included efforts to improve staffing, managing the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple stints under the national media microscope.
Mendoza&rsquo;s time in office will concluded at the end of the year when he will likely be succeeded by current Santa Fe police Chief Paul Joye, who won the Democratic primary in June and faces no Republican challenger in the November general election.
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast, Mendoza joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Daniel J. Chac&oacute;n to reflect on his time in office, discuss his department&rsquo;s involvement in the&nbsp;Rust&nbsp;case, offer his thoughts on his likely successor and share his plans for the future.
Mendoza, who has worked in law enforcement for 27 years, begins by discussing efforts to modernize the department&rsquo;s policies. He also talks about the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement.
Asked how the department has been able to improve its staffing levels and retention, Mendoza points to implementing a &ldquo;4/8/40&rdquo; work schedule that gives employees full-time pay for working four eight-hour days each week, allowing for an extra eight hours of administrative leave to devote to their mental or physical well-being.
Mendoza then shares his support for Joye, who he endorsed in the primary race for county sheriff, and discusses his own future. He said he&rsquo;s interested in the role of Santa Fe&rsquo;s police chief and will be applying for the position.
Chac&oacute;n later asks Mendoza to offer his thoughts on the recent story that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration knowingly allowed New Mexico to be flooded with fentanyl.
Mendoza is then asked about his time in the national spotlight as his department worked the case for the on-set shooting of&nbsp;Rust&nbsp;cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and the discovery of the bodies of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, at their Santa Fe home.
Chac&oacute;n brings up a judge&rsquo;s dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter case of Alec Baldwin, largely over a box of ammunition that was entered into evidence under a different case number than all other evidence related to the shooting of Hutchins. Mendoza said he bears responsibility for the handling of the evidence since it took place under his department.
Mendoza is finally asked what he will miss the most and least when he moves on from his sheriff&rsquo;s role, and shares thanks to the community for the chance to serve.

Santa Fe County sheriff looks back on ‘Rust’ case, discusses DEA controversy and future of AI use

Even before legislation was passed to form New Mexico’s “truth commission” to investigate the activities and potential crimes of Jeffrey Epstein in the state, Marianna Anaya said she spent time digging through the publicly released files related to the financier and convicted sex offender.

With a background in advocacy for sexual assault survivors, the Albuquerque state representative said a pitfall in the past was that people didn’t listen to survivors, thinking allegations were “too out of this world to believe.” With what’s been learned through the Epstein files, Anaya said “the things that happened to survivors are so horrific that there’s nothing that’s off the table.”

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast,” Anaya joins Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Clara Bates to discuss how she became one of the four members of the bipartisan truth commission, the progress of the panel so far, and the breadth of potential crimes committed in the state related to the Epstein case.

Anaya shares her history as an organizer, activist and lobbyist, and how decision to run for the state House came in the spur of the moment following a narrow defeat of paid family and medical leave legislation she had been supporting.

The Democrat then speaks on her involvement in the truth commission, and how her advocacy for victims of sexual assault has informed her work on the panel. She says she’s proud of the work of the bipartisan commission, which she said has avoided making their work political and has remained focused on seeking justice for survivors.

Bates asks Anaya about The New Mexican’s recent reporting on Epstein having a private ambulance at Zorro Ranch and possibly a dental office. Anaya said there has been testimony from survivors that some woke up in medical settings in New Mexico. She then goes over the types of potential crimes committed in the state related to Epstein, including sex trafficking, medical crimes and financial crimes.

Anaya is also asked about the one year the commission has to come up with a full report for the Epstein investigation. She said members have never thought one year was enough time, and that she hopes the Legislature will be able to extend the life of the commission at the end of the year.

Even before legislation was passed to form New Mexico&rsquo;s &ldquo;truth commission&rdquo; to investigate the activities and potential crimes of Jeffrey Epstein in the state, Marianna Anaya said she spent time digging through the publicly released files related to the financier and convicted sex offender.
With a background in advocacy for sexual assault survivors, the Albuquerque state representative said a pitfall in the past was that people didn&rsquo;t listen to survivors, thinking allegations were &ldquo;too out of this world to believe.&rdquo; With what&rsquo;s been learned through the Epstein files, Anaya said &ldquo;the things that happened to survivors are so horrific that there&rsquo;s nothing that&rsquo;s off the table.&rdquo;
In the latest episode of the &ldquo;Around the Roundhouse&rdquo; podcast,&rdquo; Anaya joins&nbsp;Santa Fe New Mexican&nbsp;state politics reporter Clara Bates to discuss how she became one of the four members of the bipartisan truth commission, the progress of the panel so far, and the breadth of potential crimes committed in the state related to the Epstein case.
Anaya shares her history as an organizer, activist and lobbyist, and how decision to run for the state House came in the spur of the moment following a narrow defeat of paid family and medical leave legislation she had been supporting.
The Democrat then speaks on her involvement in the truth commission, and how her advocacy for victims of sexual assault has informed her work on the panel. She says she&rsquo;s proud of the work of the bipartisan commission, which she said has avoided making their work political and has remained focused on seeking justice for survivors.
Bates asks Anaya about&nbsp;The New Mexican&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/epstein/zorro-smiles-epsteins-girlfriend-was-licensed-dentist-in-new-mexico/article_2bd5b2d4-2378-44d9-9c5e-6558e5f87737.html">recent reporting</a>&nbsp;on Epstein having a private ambulance at Zorro Ranch and possibly a dental office. Anaya said there has been testimony from survivors that some woke up in medical settings in New Mexico. She then goes over the types of potential crimes committed in the state related to Epstein, including sex trafficking, medical crimes and financial crimes.
Anaya is also asked about the one year the commission has to come up with a full report for the Epstein investigation. She said members have never thought one year was enough time, and that she hopes the Legislature will be able to extend the life of the commission at the end of the year.

New Mexico Democratic Party Chair Sara Attleson speaks on efforts to strengthen the party

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