5-11-2026 11:42pm

Alamogordo Town News KALHRadio.org Interview Spotlights Matt Channon’s Bid for U.S. Senate, Emphasizing Manufacturing Revival

Chris Edwards Editor

Alamogordo, NM — In an interview today for AlamogordoTownNews.org on streaming KALHRadio.org with Anthony Lucero, Matt Channon , a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from New Mexico, outlined his vision as a pragmatic engineer and political outsider challenging the status quo in the 2026 general election.

Channon, born in Albuquerque and a graduate of Eldorado High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering from New Mexico Tech (1999) and a graduate degree from Georgia Tech (2002). He describes himself as an engineer, inventor, software developer, entrepreneur, rideshare driver, and father based in Albuquerque.

He positions his candidacy as “Plan C” for Republicans if the primary does not produce a strong contender, aiming to offer voters a clear alternative to incumbent Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján, particularly in southern New Mexico where Luján’s support is weaker.

Channon highlighted New Mexico’s affordability crisis — high gasoline and diesel prices, elevated grocery and housing costs, and wages that have not kept pace with inflation. “We need to focus on increasing paychecks,” he argued, rather than solely controlling prices.

His core economic proposal centers on revitalizing blue-collar manufacturing jobs through expanded military procurement and government contracts. He envisions starting factory wages around $28 per hour to lift compensation across sectors. Channon pointed to opportunities in chemically processing New Mexico’s abundant natural gas and coal resources (in counties like Eddy, Lea, San Juan, and Cibola) to produce methanol, acetic acid, plastics precursors, and fertilizers currently imported from China.

He advocated locating new plants near resources or in high-unemployment areas like Luna County (Deming) and integrating carbon capture and sequestration. CO₂ could be reinjected for enhanced oil recovery or earn federal credits. “The age of fossil fuels may be transitioning,” Channon said, “but the age of fossil feedstock is just beginning.”

On social challenges post-COVID, including increased homelessness and welfare dependency, Channon supports welfare-to-work programs. He believes accessible, good-paying jobs in rural areas — where industries like mining have declined — would encourage workforce participation over dependency.

Channon criticizes career politicians and promises an approachable style focused on practical solutions for border security, education, economic growth, and accountability. He is not a lawyer, real estate heir, or detached executive, but someone with hands-on technical experience.

His campaign website is MattChannon.com, and donations can be made via WinRed.

The full interview is available here:

Channon’s write-in/general election candidacy adds an independent-minded Republican voice in a state long dominated by Democrats. As the June 2026 primary approaches and the November general election nears, voters can evaluate his manufacturing-focused, resource-utilization platform against ongoing economic pressures in New Mexico.