Secretary of state candidate Amanda López Askin touts experience combatting election deniers in N.M.

Secretary of state candidate Amanda López Askin touts experience combatting election deniers in N.M.

Author: The Santa Fe New Mexican May 15, 2026 Duration: 28:03

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District has been one of the most hotly contested seats in the country, drawing a national spotlight in recent races to fill one of the state’s three seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Amanda López Askin says she experienced that increased attention firsthand shortly after she took over as county clerk in Doña Ana County, the district’s most populous county, just before the 2018 election.

In the latest episode of the “Around the Roundhouse” podcast, López Askin speaks with Santa Fe New Mexican state politics reporter Daniel J. Chacón about how she has been dealing with election deniers since 2018 when Democrat Xochitl Torres Small edged Republican Yvette Herrell to win the seat, and why she thinks her time running elections in Doña Ana County has prepared her as she seeks her party’s nomination for New Mexico secretary of state in the June 2 Democratic primary.

She is running against Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark as the two vie to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

Born and raised in Las Cruces, López Askin begins the episode by discussing her background and what led her to decide to run for secretary of state. Before becoming a county clerk, she worked in the mental health field and advocacy in adolescent health and suicide prevention. She also talks about her experience being involved in the local animal rescue community and fostering over 200 dogs, which she said has earned her the nickname of “the Dog Lady” in her community.

Chacón asks López Askin about her position on the Republican-backed SAVE Act, and she addresses some misinformation she feels is put forth in discussions about the legislation.

López Askin also is asked about criticism over not having results the same night as an election. She responded that “there is no such thing as late election results, there’s accurate results,” adding that she prioritizes “accuracy over expediency” and communicating with the public.

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Every week, Around the Roundhouse pulls back the curtain on the workings of New Mexico’s state government. Hosted by veteran statehouse reporter Daniel J. Chacón of The Santa Fe New Mexican, this podcast goes beyond the headlines and floor votes to explore the real stories shaping policy. You’ll hear directly from the legislators, advocates, and officials driving the agenda, getting a sense of the personalities and behind-the-scenes dynamics that define each session. The focus is on the substantive debates and political maneuvering that turn ideas into law, providing context often missed in daily news reports. Tune in for candid conversations and analysis that make the legislative process accessible and engaging. This isn't just a recap of events; it's an insider's guide to the forces at play under the Capitol dome. For anyone interested in how New Mexico is governed, this weekly podcast serves as an essential, grounded companion to the fast-paced world of Santa Fe politics.
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