NM 2026 Election: CD1, Secretary of State
This week on New Mexico in Focus, we continue our election coverage with a look at New Mexico’s bluest district: Congressional District 1. Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury is running to continue her work in Washington D.C. If re-elected, she’ll be the first Democrat in District 1 history to get reelected for a third time. Her challenger, Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke, is a pharmacist and political newcomer, running to be the first Republican to represent the district since Heather Wilson back in 2008. Host Nash Jones sat down with both candidates to discuss several top issues, including federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, the unpopular war in Iran, and the country’s growing affordability crisis.
This week, we also speak to one of two candidates running to be the state’s first new Secretary of State in a decade. Democratic Nominee Amanda López Askin joined Politics Correspondent Gwyneth Doland to discuss the candidate’s tenure overseeing elections in Doña Ana County, and how she has fought against vocal election denialism.
Host: Nash Jones
Segments:
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury on Epstein Files, Fighting Trump
Correspondent: Nash Jones
Guest: U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM, District 1
Didi Okpareke on SNAP, AI and Data Centers
Correspondent: Nash Jones
Guest: Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke, Republican Nominee for Congressional District 1
Amanda López Askin on Voter ID, Public Trust of Elections
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland
Guest: Amanda López Askin, Democratic Nominee for NM Secretary of State