New Mexico
Heart of New Mexico: Johnny James
His videos are not always safe for work, and many are not safe for a TV news broadcast. His connection with New Mexicans is undeniable. Johnny James has struck gold in the internet age of online attention.
His videos are not always safe for work, and many are not safe for a TV news broadcast. His connection with New Mexicans is undeniable. Johnny James has struck gold in the internet age of online attention.
“I’m on the road enough, so I realize how people don’t understand our gente and our culture,” James said. “Well, if they don’t understand it, then let’s just show them all the way.”
James first plan was to become a rapper. He said he hustled to sell albums, travelled the country, and while hip hop is still his passion, he’s found a new voice with humor.
Describing himself as part conqueror, part conquered, in relation to his connections to his Hispanic and Native American cultures. Describing his affinity for New Mexican cuisine, or his relatable experiences at Albuquerque gas stations.
Most of the time while trying to make you laugh.
“It just cracked off,” James said of the fast internet success.
His connection to New Mexicans, he said, extends beyond Albuquerque. He grew up in the small town of San Fidel, Grants, and the Acoma and Laguna Pueblos is where he spent much of his childhood.
In the shadow of Ray’s Bar, named after his grandfather, Johnny was molded into who is today by his mom and dad.
He said his family of five lived in a two-bedroom trailer “until the bottom fell out underneath us.” The closeness of family shaped him as much as addiction.
“My dad was probably the highest functioning addict I’ve ever met in my entire life,” James said.
He recalled the first time trying to help bring someone back from an overdose when he was 6 years old. The opioid crisis had a grip on his family.
“I’ll be 100% transparent. I’m an addict, too, right?” James said. “I was able to be self-aware enough to know when I was so close to, like, I’ve looked over that edge a whole bunch of times, bro.”
James said he’s like, “Neo in the Matrix,” with how many bullets he’s dodged. His openness about his former occupation as a drug dealer leads you to wonder if he meant that figuratively.
“Even though my dad did do what my dad did, he was there. I had a dad,” James said. “You know, how many people – or how many of my friends – that didn’t have a dad?”
James said even though his dad thought his plan of becoming a famous Hispanic rapper was, “bonkers,” he supported him. Supported him until he died of a heroin overdose in 2017.
“It was really hard on my mom. It was hard on all of us because we’re so close,” James said.
Hard lessons he carries with him as he said he’s trying to be the best father to his four sons. Now his internet fame is a noticed in real life.
On the one street through San Fidel, to Old Route 66, people stop James everywhere. He stops and considers himself grateful for the attention.
“If I lead from the front and I lead by example again, I’m one man. I’m not going to save the world,” James said. “But if I could change a little bit, if I could change a couple of people, then it was worth it.”
He’s hoping to use his reach to uplift New Mexicans and throw his support behind people and causes that could make a difference. James helped raise over $78,000 for Ruidoso Wildfire relief. He still wants to reach his goal of $100,000.
His values seem to resonate through the cell phones that have elevated his status across the state.
Was it all a happy accident? Depends on who you ask.
“I always say it accidentally fell in my lap. But people say it might not have been an accident,” James said. “I’ll let them decide.”
CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will begin its summer season on Tuesday, June 9, after the railroad delayed its opening due to drought and wildfire danger.
The season was initially set to begin on May 23. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission said it would conduct a review on June 2 to determine if it was safe enough to begin operations.
“A sincere thank you to all our passengers and the communities in Chama and Antonito who have been so patient as we waited for conditions to improve,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “We are excited to welcome guests back aboard and hear the opening whistle signal the start of another memorable season.”
The railroad will hold a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 13, in Chama. The celebration will coincide with Chama Western Heritage Days, a community festival that weekend with live music, vendors, and rodeo competitions.
The railroad recently won USA TODAY’S poll for the best scenic train ride in the country. In celebration of the win, the railroad said passengers who book by June 7 ca receive a 25% discount on coach tickets for trips through August. Guests must redeem the offer by calling the railroad at 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
Tickets are also available for the first Dark Sky Train departures on June 12 from Chama and June 13 from Antonito. The dark sky trains include evening excursions led by international dark sky guides, and take passengers to secluded spots with minimal light pollution.
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Laguna Pueblo woman is the front runner to be New Mexico’s next governor.
Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Deb Haaland was declared the winner over Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman in the state’s semi-open Democratic Party primary. As of 11:00 p.m., Haaland carried support from 72% of the Democratic primary voters to Bregman’s 28%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
“We’re showing everyone that a better future in New Mexico is possible,” she told supporters gathered in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town Plaza. “New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people, and who is ready to take on Donald Trump. I proudly accept your nomination as a Democratic nominee.”
Haaland spoke for 13 minutes, at times through a scratchy throat that required her to pause for water breaks. “Excuse me, I’ve been talking with voters all day,” she said while grabbing a water bottle before hitting her campaign stump notes on affordability, health care and public safety.
She will face Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor from suburban Rio Rancho that won his party’s three-way primary with 47% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Haaland will be the Democratic Party nominee in a state dominated at every level by Democrats, and is expected to be heavily favored in the general election. With that insight she said her campaign message does translate to Republicans and Independent voters.
“We want our kids to thrive. We want our kids to have a quality, public education. We want every New Mexican to have health care. Everybody wants to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and everybody wants to be able to afford to put a hot meal on their table every night and have a roof over their children’s heads,” she said. “Those issues transcend whatever political spectrum we’re trying to slice and dice people into.”
Shortly after the race was called, Haaland campaign staff, major donors, surrogates, and their families walked from a building on the west side of Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza to the historic plaza core, where the Haaland campaign had set up a stage and reserved the entire plaza for its victory celebration.
“We are now witnessing history in the making,” New Mexico state Rep. Derrick Lente (Sandia Pueblo) said to supporters immediately after Haaland was declared the winner.
Denise Wilie (Dine) also joined the celebration of Haaland’s victory. Wilie said she worked on get-out-the-vote efforts with the Native American Voters Alliance in McKinley County.
“It just is so exhilarating to even think about, a woman and a Pueblo woman,” she said. “Indigenous all the way, is how I feel. I’m like, yes, let’s get more of our voices.”
Haaland was introduced by her two sisters and walked to the stage escorted by a mariachi band.
Speaking to reporters after the event Haaland reflected on voting for a Pueblo woman (herself) for governor.
“I got emotional, quite frankly, when I went to vote for myself because you do that when you’re a candidate,” she said. “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico. We’re a multicultural state. I think representation matters, especially in a political era such as this one. So, I’m really proud and honored to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, who worked so incredibly hard to make sure that I had a place here today.”
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