A freshman state senator from Rio Rancho, Republican Jay Block made headlines during his first legislative session by introducing a plan to create an office in New Mexico similar to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. In 2022, Block was also in the spotlight when he ran to be the GOP candidate in the governor’s race. He recently joined Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón for the latest episode of “Around the Roundhouse” to discuss what lies ahead for his DOGE-like idea and to share his thoughts on the 2026 governor’s race, including if he plans to run again. 

The interview includes Block discussing his military background, which spanned more than 20 years as a nuclear weapons officer. He also shares his experience when he volunteered for a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2005-06, which he describes as his best and worst tour in the military. 

Block is asked about his thoughts on potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, what it was like in his first term as a state senator serving in the minority party, and how he feels about the candidates that have declared for the governor’s race so far.