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Two ABQ Mayoral Hopefuls; NMiF Heads to the Fair

September 19, 2025

This week on New Mexico in Focus, we conclude our interviews with Albuquerque mayoral candidates when political newcomer Mayling Armijo and City Councilor Louie Sanchez drop by the studio to speak with Host Nash Jones. Nash explores some of the big issues facing the city with the two hopefuls for the mayor’s office: homelessness, housing, crime and economic opportunity. 

We focus in on the state fair, with Nash heading out to Expo New Mexico to interview patrons and vendors about Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal to redevelop the site and, potentially, move the fair from its longtime home. And Nash gets an update on that plan from Marty Chavez, former mayor of Albuquerque and a special adviser to the governor on this project. 

Indigenously Positive, our collaborative series with nonprofit newsroom New Mexico In Depth, returns with a look at “Pueblo Revolt,” a comedy from Santa Fe-based playwright Dillon Christopher Chitto (Mississippi Choctaw, Laguna & Isleta Pueblo). 

Host: Nash Jones

Segments:
City Councilor Louie Sanchez Makes His Case for the Mayor’s Office 
Host: Nash Jones 
Guest: Louie Sanchez, Albuquerque City Councilor, Mayoral Candidate 

Mayling Armijo on Why She’s Ready to Be Mayor 
Host: Nash Jones 
Guest: Mayling Armijo, Albuquerque Mayoral Candidate 

NMiF Heads to the State Fair 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guests: Jorge Mera, Longtime State Fair Vendor 
Zina Crum (Diné), Longtime State Fair Vendor 
Tonia “TJ” Lopez, State Fair Attendee 
Will Ford, State Fair Attendee 
Rebecca Jones, State Fair Attendee 

Update on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Proposal to Move the Fair 
Host: Nash Jones 
Guest: Martin Chavez, Former Albuquerque Mayor, Senior Adviser to the Governor 

Indigenously Positive: What Do You Know About the Pueblo Revolt? 
Producers: Bella Davis (Yurok) and Benjamin C Yazza (Diné) 
Photojournalist: Joey Dunn (Diné) 
Guests: Dillon Christopher Chitto (Mississippi Choctaw, Laguna & Isleta Pueblo), “Pueblo Revolt” Playwright 
Noe Field-Perkins (Native Hawaiian), Actor 
Bradley Lewis (Acoma Pueblo), Actor