ALBUQUERQUE — Republican congressional candidate Greg Cunningham of New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District detailed his decades-long career in law enforcement, military service, and private business during a recent interview on “The Chile Wire” podcast, framing his campaign as rooted in public service and community relationships.
Speaking with host Abe Baldonado, Cunningham described a career that began in Albuquerque’s South Valley and led him from the U.S. Marine Corps to the Albuquerque Police Department, where he served for more than two decades before retiring in 2011. He said his experiences shaped his approach to public safety, government accountability, and leadership.
“I think the key word is service,” Cunningham said during the interview, reflecting on his path from local schools in Albuquerque to military deployment during the Gulf War era and later law enforcement work. He said he served as a Marine reconnaissance member and later worked in narcotics, criminal intelligence, and federal task force operations through the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Cunningham described assignments ranging from street-level narcotics investigations to federal wiretap and border-related cases. He also discussed undercover work and intelligence operations, calling the experience “hands-on” preparation for understanding crime and enforcement issues along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Following his law enforcement career, Cunningham said he launched a private security consulting business in New Mexico, citing it as a transition that gave him firsthand experience with the challenges of small business ownership, including regulatory requirements and economic uncertainty.
“You eat what you kill,” he said, describing the shift from a steady government paycheck to entrepreneurship.
Much of the conversation focused on Cunningham’s perspective on political engagement and public trust. He said his decision to enter politics was influenced by concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly related to government restrictions and church closures, which he characterized as a turning point in his civic involvement.
Cunningham also discussed experiences he described from earlier in his career, including working in crowd-control and protest environments during the early 2000s. He said those experiences informed his views on public demonstrations and law enforcement response, emphasizing a distinction between peaceful protest and individuals he described as agitators.
While discussing national politics more broadly, Cunningham argued that political divisions are often driven by emotion rather than shared problem-solving, and said public discourse has become increasingly polarized.
“Feelings aren’t facts,” he said, adding that elected officials should focus on defining problems clearly before debating solutions.
Cunningham also emphasized the importance of relationships in governance, saying effective representation requires communication between elected officials and local leaders across New Mexico’s diverse communities.
The interview included personal reflections on family life, including Cunningham’s experience raising six children and nine grandchildren, as well as his late wife’s illness, which he said contributed to his decision to leave law enforcement.
Toward the end of the discussion, Cunningham said he was motivated to run for office after conversations with political organizations and faith leaders. He also recounted a moment in which he said a personal and political decision followed the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, according to his remarks in the interview. He said his wife ultimately encouraged him to pursue public office.
Cunningham directed listeners seeking more information about his campaign to his website, cunninghamfornm.com, where he said he hopes to continue engaging with voters directly.
The 2nd Congressional District covers a large geographic area in southern and central New Mexico, including rural communities, border regions, and parts of Albuquerque.
