New Mexico’s third congressional district is vast and complex, covering much of northern and northwestern New Mexico, including parts of the Navajo Nation and the oil and gas fields of San Juan County. This week, KNME’s “New Mexico in Focus” first takes a closer look at the two Republican candidates, before moving on to feature the two independent candidates hoping for electoral success in the district. “New Mexico in Focus” will air on KNME-TV, channel 5, on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. and repeat on Sunday, May 18 at 6:30 a.m.
Co-hosted by David Alire Garcia, managing editor, New Mexico Independent, and Albuquerque Journal columnist Gene Grant, “New Mexico In Focus” takes a multi-layered look at social, political, economic, health, education and arts issues and explores them in-depth, with a critical eye to give them context beyond the "news of the moment."
Alire Garcia will sit down with the Republican candidates Marco Gonzales and Dan East to discuss District Three’s important issues, find out what sets them apart, and why each thinks they have the best chance to win in the general election. Then Alire Garcia will talk with the two independent candidates running for District Three, Carol Miller and Ron Simmons, one of whom has a history of being a political spoiler in the district.
Then, guest panelist Danny Hernandez, from the Albuquerque Metro Arroyo Flood Control Authority, will join co-host Gene Grant and regular panelists Margaret Montoya from the UNM School of Law and UNM School of Medicine, Scott Darnell, Communications Director for the Republican Party of New Mexico, and Jim Scarantino, columnist for the Weekly Alibi to discuss the candidates and issues of importance to the congressional district.
The producer of “New Mexico In Focus” is Kevin McDonald. Closed Captioning of “New Mexico In Focus” has been made possible by a gift from Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs.