Shows
The Chile WireThe Road to Lieutenant Governor: Senator David GallegosThis week on the Chile Wire, we sit down with Senator David Gallegos to discuss his recent candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico and what’s driving his campaign.Senator Gallegos shares the story behind his commitment to public service, the values that have shaped his leadership, and the priorities he believes are critical to moving our state forward. From strengthening public safety and supporting small businesses to protecting families and expanding economic opportunity, he lays out a clear vision for New Mexico’s future.Tune in for an in-depth conversation on his background, his...
2026-03-0443 min
The Chile WireCrystal Brantley Unfiltered: Guns, Growth & Government AccountabilityIn a state where rural values often clash with Santa Fe's legislative agenda, few voices are as clear and consistent as Senator Crystal Brantley. This week, we sit down with Senator Brantley for a candid look at the high-stakes battles unfolding at the Roundhouse. From the defense of constitutional rights to the protection of our state’s economic backbone, we’re diving into the issues that matter most to real New Mexicans.This week, we discuss a plethora of topics, such as:Protecting the 2nd Amendment (SB17): Senator Brantley breaks down the "Stop Illegal Gun Trad...
2026-02-1821 min
The Chile WireWhat New Mexicans Should Be Watching This Session, According to Rep. Rod MontoyaInside the Roundhouse with Rep. Rod Montoya- what truly matters to New Mexicans when the cameras are off and the floor sessions end? This week, we’re joined by State Representative Rod Montoya to discuss the current legislative session and discuss the real priorities of his constituents.Rep. Montoya doesn’t hold back as he breaks down the critical issues facing New Mexico families today—from the economy and public safety to the local impact of major policy shifts. As the session heats up, he shares essential insights into what New Mexicans need to be watching and why yo...
2026-02-0454 min
The Chile WireInside the Roundhouse: What House Republicans Are Fighting for in 2026This week on Chile Wire, we sit down with House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong for a candid conversation on the House Republicans’ top priorities heading into the 2026 legislative session. Leader Armstrong breaks down the major issues expected to dominate the session and highlights several key pieces of legislation that could set New Mexico further behind—hindering businesses and threatening long-term economic growth. Tune in for this insider preview on what’s ahead at the Roundhouse and what it means for the future of our state.
2026-01-2829 min
The Chile WireInnovation in Education: Charter Schools Shaping NM’s Future🎙️ This Week on the Chile Wire Podcast, we’re joined by Jamie Gonzales of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico for an inside look at the top priorities for charter schools heading into the 2026 legislative session. Jamie also highlights standout charter schools across the state that are raising the bar for student outcomes and innovation.🎧 Tune in to learn more about the critical issues impacting charter schools and why they matter for students and families across New Mexico.
2026-01-2135 min
The Chile WireNew Mexico’s Healthcare Crisis: Why Doctors Are LeavingIn this episode of The Chile Wire, host Abenicio Baldonado sits down with Dr. Nathaniel Roybal, a native New Mexican and specialist in treating complex retinal disease, for an important conversation on the state of healthcare in New Mexico. Dr. Roybal shares his mission to see New Mexico be a state that provides timely, high quality care to patients across the state—and why that goal has become increasingly difficult to achieve.Together, they examine New Mexico’s growing healthcare crisis, unpacking how we got here and why being a small state should never mean settling for subp...
2025-12-1753 minThe Chile WireStewarding New Mexico's Resources Wisely: A Conversation with Michael & Kimberly PerryIn this episode of The Chile Wire, host Abenicio Baldonado sits down with Michael and Kimberly Perry for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of New Mexico’s land, resources, and communities. Michael Perry, a former Assistant Commissioner of State Lands, longtime wildlife and habitat professional, and current County Commissioner, brings decades of front-line experience to the discussion as he shares his perspective on the mission and responsibilities of the State Land Office.Together, these three dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping New Mexico’s landscape today—from wildfire prevention and habitat restoration to the evolving balanc...
2025-12-1056 minThe Chile WireBlue State, Big Potential: Policy Wins Nobody Sees ComingThis week on the Chile Wire, host Abenicio Baldonado sits down with David From, Regional Vice President for Americans for Prosperity and host of the American Potential podcast. Together, we dig into what it looks like to advance prosperity in two of the nation’s so-called deep blue states, Illinois and New Mexico, and explore the unique challenges and opportunities that come with driving policy change in these political environments.From grassroots momentum to transformative reform efforts, we compare and contrast the political landscapes of both states, highlighting where meaningful change is already happening and where the ne...
2025-12-0337 minThe Chile WireThe Path to Prosperity: A Roadmap for New Mexico’s FutureIn this episode of the Chile Wire, host Abenicio Baldonado sits down with Sarah Hetemi, State Director for Americans for Prosperity–New Mexico (AFP-NM), for a forward-looking conversation about New Mexico’s present and future.Sarah shares AFP-NM’s priorities and vision for a state where opportunity thrives, families prosper, and bureaucratic barriers to growth are removed. Together, we break down what’s holding New Mexico back from reaching its full potential and discuss how common sense solutions can put our state on a stronger path.We also dive into the positive impacts of the One Big...
2025-11-1937 minThe Chile WireHumanizing the Cost of Failed Policies: The Vigil Family’s StoryIn this deeply moving episode of The Chile Wire, we sit down with Sam and Raul Vigil, who share their family’s heartbreaking story of loss and resilience. Sam’s wife and Raul’s mother, Jacqueline Vigil, was tragically murdered outside her Albuquerque home—a loss that shook their family and community to its core.The Vigils open up about their painful journey for justice and how local policies, including Albuquerque’s sanctuary city stance, have allowed repeat offenders to remain on our streets. They reflect on how President Trump’s administration stepped in, deploying federal resources that ultimat...
2025-11-051h 05The Chile WireBreaking Barriers to Learning: Inside the May Center’s Mission for Every Child to ThriveIn this episode of The Chile Wire, we sit down with Megan Rosker, Director of Admissions and Outreach at the May Center for Learning, to explore the organization’s powerful mission to ensure every child in New Mexico has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive. Megan shares how the May Center is leading the way in addressing literacy challenges across our state—by providing specialized support for students with dyslexia and other neurodivergent learning profiles, and by training teachers to recognize and meet the needs of all learners.From reshaping classroom instruction to advocating for early inte...
2025-10-2229 minThe Chile WireStop the Bleeding; A Conversation on the Mass Exodus of Doctors in NMIn this week’s episode of The Chile Wire, we sit down with Keon Ahghar to unpack the truth behind New Mexico’s medical malpractice crisis — and how it’s putting patients’ access to high-quality healthcare at risk.We also breakdown the policy failures that have opened the door for out-of-state trial lawyers to swoop in, file massive lawsuits, and walk away with millions — all while our doctors, hospitals, and patients pay the price. It’s a feeding frenzy that’s bleeding our healthcare system and pushing providers out of New Mexico.Tune in to hear how we got...
2025-10-151h 18The Chile WireA Deep Dive into the Issue Plaguing Communities Across New Mexico: CrimeThis week on The Chile Wire, we sit down with Rudy Mora — former New Mexico State Police officer, current Director of Public Safety for the Pueblo of Acoma, and board member for SafeNM — to talk about one of our state’s biggest challenges: crime. Rudy shares what he’s seen on the front lines of law enforcement and offers an unfiltered look at the issues plaguing our communities across New Mexico.🎙️ Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation — it’s one every New Mexican needs to hear.Listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussion of violen...
2025-10-0848 minThe Chile WireThat's High Quality H2O- A Conversation With The WATR Alliance💧 Episode 13 of the Chile Wire is here, and it’s all about one of New Mexico’s most valuable resources — water. We sit down with Jennifer Bradfute and Matthias Sayer of the newly formed WATR Alliance to dive into how New Mexico can lead the nation in recycling produced water, turning a challenge into an opportunity. From innovation to conservation, learn how this initiative could help preserve our fresh water while fueling economic growth. Tune in and discover why the future of water in New Mexico might just be brighter than we think.
2025-09-2433 minThe Chile WireBooks, Boundaries, and Parental RightsThis week we sit down with Don and Damara Andrade, who are sounding the alarm on explicit books circulating in our public schools. 📚 Listen in as we learn more about how parents across New Mexico are joining the movement, demanding that schools provide age-appropriate, high-quality educational content. 👉 This isn’t about book banning—it’s about common sense and ensuring students are protected and prepared for the future. Tune in, join the conversation, and be part of the growing momentum for New Mexico’s students and families. See their guide, 125+ Explicit Books in Albuquerque Publi...
2025-09-0339 minThe Chile WireNew Mexico's Moral Crisis, Hypocrisy, and Shocking Comments From Upcoming Guest SpeakersThis week on The Chile Wire, we tackle three of the spiciest stories from last week. First, New Mexico is facing a moral crisis: child fatalities tied to an under resourced CYFD continue to rise—how did we get here, and who will take responsibility? Next, the redistricting of Texas causes tensions to rise and raises accusations of power grabs. Finally, we pull back the curtain on an event being hosted by The Democratic Party of New Mexico— and the three guests they have invited to speak at the event in September. Let's just say, some of these guest spea...
2025-08-1312 minThe Chile WireWhat It's Like Being A Parent in 2025Join us as we discuss what it's like being a parent in 2025 with Andrea Cloak who is currently raising a one year old daughter in New Mexico. This episode turns out to be a doozy as we learn what types of books are circulating in our public libraries. Andrea shares with us a book that was pointed out to her by a friend who made a recent visit to one of our public libraries. This episode contains graphic content and details regarding this book, viewer discretion is advised.
2025-07-2922 minThe Chile WireStanding Up to Corruption – A Conversation with City Councilor Sam LeDouxIn episode 8 of The Chile Wire, we sit down with Española City Councilor Sam LeDoux to talk about the serious allegations facing the mayor of Espanola, NM, and the broader implications for transparency and accountability in New Mexico. Join us as we dig into why fighting corruption at every level of government matters more than ever.
2025-07-0939 minThe Chile WireIncorrect Polls, Power Trips, and Attempts to Silence Women’s VoicesThis week on The Chile Wire, we’re turning up the heat with some of the most outrageous headlines in New Mexico politics. We dive into the explosive allegations facing the mayor of Española—corruption, misconduct, and a town demanding answers. Then, we unravel the fallout from Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s eyebrow-raising poll blunder that has both sides of the aisle asking, “Who exactly was she listening to?” Finally, we spotlight a disturbing attempt to silence women celebrating the legacy of Title IX at Her Game, Her Legacy bus tour. It’s bold, it’s spicy, it’s the truth t...
2025-07-0106 minThe Chile WireWho’s Working for You? Breaking Down the NM Business Coalition Legislative ScorecardThis week on episode 6 of The Chile Wire, we’re diving into one of the most important conversations we can have during an upcoming election year—who’s fighting for New Mexico businesses, jobs, and families—and who’s failing us.Joining me is someone who’s been a tireless advocate for pro-business, pro-growth policies here in our state—Carla Sonntag, President and CEO of the New Mexico Business Coalition. Listen now as we breakdown who scored a passing grade and who didn't.
2025-06-1839 minThe Chile WireHaaland vs. Bregman: What It Could Cost New Mexico.Join host, Abenicio Baldonado, in episode 5 of the Chile Wire with special guest, Paul Gessing, President of the Rio Grande Foundation. Listen as they breakdown the records and campaign finance reports of the current democratic gubernatorial candidates, and discuss the consequences of their potential governorship.
2025-05-1347 minThe Chile WireNew Mexico’s Political Landscape and Where We Go From HereThis week on episode 4 of the Chile Wire, Abenicio Baldonado breaks down New Mexico’s political landscape, highlighting one-party control since 1931 and its long-standing consequences. He explores why, despite decades of Democratic leadership, the state continues to rank near the bottom in key outcomes like crime, education, and economic opportunity. Plus, a critical look at the 2026 gubernatorial contenders—who claim to be moderates, but whose records tell a different story.
2025-04-1528 minThe Chile WireThe Lack of Common Sense in New Mexico With Rod MontoyaChile Wire Host, Abenicio Baldonado sits down with New Mexico State Representative Rod Montoya to talk about issues in New Mexico that should be common sense. These two discuss how there is a lack of accountability for criminal offenses here in New Mexico and how women's sports and spaces should be protected. During the 2025 Legislative Session, there were several other bills proposed that seemed like common sense- yet they still ended up being killed in our roundhouse. Listen to this full conversation now!
2025-04-0121 minThe Chile WireIncome and Social Security Taxes with Elaine Sena CortezChile Wire Host, Abenicio Baldonado sits down and has a great conversation with State Representative Elaine Sena Cortez about the state of our New Mexico economy. These two dive into topics like income and social security taxes and the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. Elaine Sena Cortez outlines her personal income tax bill and also her Silver Act that was just passed in New Mexico legislature last week.
2025-03-1917 min
2025-02-2657 min
The Chile WireFamily Issues Taking Over The 2025 Legislative SessionAbe Baldonado, Chile Wire host, sits down with the Executive Director of New Mexico Family Action Movement, Jodi Hendricks. They discuss the major family issues currently present up in Santa Fe and why they are important. They talk through the bad bills that have been introduced since the start of the 2025 Legislative Session but also some of the really good pieces of legislation that have been making their way through the roundhouse.
2025-02-2134 min