Diego Luna Delivers Powerful Immigration-Themed Monologue While Guest-Hosting ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Diego Luna is speaking out against U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

On his first night as a guest-host of Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday, June 23, the 45-year-old Mexican actor, director and producer delivered a powerful monologue on the importance of immigrants amid Trump’s “authoritarian policies.”

Diego Luna“I come from a galaxy far, far away, called México,” the Andor star said in his monologue.

In Kimmel’s absence, Luna will host the ABC late-night talk show for the whole week, saying it was one of his dreams to do so.

Luna touched on deportations in his monologue, noting, “English is not my first language. So, I hope you guys will help me if I get… What’s the word? Deported!”

The Mexican actor joked that Kimmel “was very smart to hand his show over to me just as Trump decided to go crazy and drop his bombs over the weekend. Thanks a lot Jimmy. Good luck!”

Luna got serious momentarily and said he wanted to address the issue affecting Los Angeles and the United States, “around immigration and the authoritarian policies of Donald Trump.”

“It is no small thing that a Mexican is hosting such an important show,” Luna said. “It’s a big deal and I really hope not to f**k it up.”

Luna recalled visiting the U.S. for the first time at the age of 20 following the success of Y Tú Mamá También and traveling to California for work, making L.A. a city he visited frequently.

“I spent great part of my earnings on laundry services and alcohol here. A lot of my brain cells died in this city,” he joked. “I met people that to this day are very close to my heart. Great things happened to me here. In fact, my son was born here. Yes, I have an Angeleno son. The only Mexican-American of the family, and I’ll always be grateful to Los Angeles for that and every Angeleno.”

Luna talked about how L.A. felt like home when he was away from home and took a jab at Elon Musk saying people liked to show off their Tesla’s before its founder “became a MAGA space Nazi.”

The actor said the community he found in L.A. that what holds all of us together are “our common roots. The people that lifted me up were mostly people that had left their countries to find a new life or the songs and daughters of immigrants that had come here in order to work and build a healthy enjoyable and dignified life away from their place of origin. A moment of that scale is not natural. Nobody leaves their land unless their survival depends on it.”

“All the people that I met share an unspoken gratitude to this country,” he continued. “A country that opened its doors to them. And the most beautiful thing of all is that all these immigrants brought their stories with them. They brought their loyalties, their love, their traditions, always with the openness to adopt new ones, to grow, and to complement each other in this vast cultural exchange.”

Luna noted that what makes L.A. great is people coming together “from different cultures and realities” agreeing “to give each other a chance and build something remarkable together,” adding, “This place is a powerful example of what’s possible of what can be achieved when we put empathy first.”

“I have never been able to fully understand how it is that someone like Donald Trump is able to acquire this level of power,” he said. “I always struggle to understand how his hate speech can take root in a country whose nature has always been a welcoming one. Today many people feel persecuted far too many people live in fear of taking their kids to school or going to places where they earn an honest living.”

He continued, “These people, they’re you’re neighbors, your friends, immigrants. This is very unfair. The multiple times that this country has had to rebuild itself, immigrants were always there to pick up the slack.”

Luna recalled the L.A. fires and how immigrant workers risked their lives to put the flames out.

“There are a lot of lies flying around about immigrants,” he added. “But I’m sure you have more than one story that can attest to the contrary. Today, they need to know that they’re not alone. These have been a dark few weeks. It is not acceptable, nor is it normal to separate families. Violence and terror are not OK. Immigrants need to know that their struggle is yours. Politicians have been dozing on this problem because it’s easier than acknowledging it, because this country benefits from the work of immigrants but refuses to recognize their importance. That is what needs to change. It’s about acknowledging the work of millions and how unfair it is that they have to live in hiding. The only solution is clear now, and it’s been clear for decades. Give them a path to legal certainty.”

Luna made a call for everyone to call their Congress representatives and support organizations that help immigrants in need.

“I hope what I said inspires you to get involved or look at this from a different point of view. If my comments have angered you, I just want you to know it was all written by Guillermo. Blame him,” Luna joke, ending his monologue on a light note.

Bernie Moreno Becomes Ohio’s First Latino & First Person of Color in the U.S. Senate

Bernie Moreno has pulled off an upset and made history in the process.

The 57-year-old Colombian-born American Republican politician and businessman defeated Democrat and three-term incumbent Sherrod Brown, the chair of the Senate Banking Committee, to become Ohio’s first Latino, and first person of color in the U.S. Senate.

Bernie MorenoMoreno, a Cleveland businessman who was endorsed by Donald Trump back during the primaries, \won in the most expensive Senate race this year.

His win was key in the GOP’s retaking of the upper chamber.

Moreno, who built up a successful network of car dealerships in Ohio, had trailed Brown in the polls for much of the race.

He was propelled to victory in part because of Trump’s strong performance at the top of the ticket. Trump easily defeatedVice President Kamala Harris in Ohio.

Moreno cruised to an easy victory in the Republican primary, buoyed by Trump’s endorsement in December.

He ran for the Senate in 2022 but dropped out at Trump’s urging. JD Vance wound up winning the nomination that year, going on to be elected to the Senate and later serving as Trump’s running mate.

An Emerson College Polling survey of 900 likely voters conducted from October 30 to Nov. 2 showed Moreno leading Brown 48 percent to 45 percent.

But other polls showed him trailing for much of the race. The poll-tracking website FiveThirtyEight showed Brown with a steady 2.5- to 3-

Democrats repeatedly hit Moreno on abortion rights, highlighting his comments in 2022 describing himself as “absolutely pro-life, no exceptions.”

He later softened his position by saying he supported “commonsense restrictions” on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, arguing the issue should be “mostly” left to the states.

Moreno also came under intense fire after being captured on video saying that abortion rights shouldn’t be an issue for women older than 50.

“Sadly, by the way, there’s a lot of suburban women, a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it. If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’ OK. It’s a little crazy, by the way, but — especially for women that are like past 50, I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you,’” Moreno said in the clip, which quickly became national news.

Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized Moreno, calling his remarks “tone deaf” and asking, “Are you trying to lose the race?”

Moreno later defended himself at a debate with Brown, insisting that he was only joking.

Brown sought to draw a clear contrast by highlighting his support for a state constitutional amendment in 2023 that ensured access to abortion and other reproductive health care. It passed with 57 percent support.

Moreno tried to regain momentum by hammering Brown on inflation, crime and migration across the U.S.-Mexico border during President Biden’s presidency.

The race was the most expensive Senate contest in the country, with both parties spending more than $500 million, according to the tracking firm AdImpact.

Brown was a top target of the cryptocurrency industry, which poured tens of millions of dollars into the race to defeat him.

One crypto-affiliated super PAC, Defend American Jobs, spent more than $40 million against Brown.

Crypto advocates faulted the Banking panel chair for opposing a bill backed by House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) to clarify how federal agencies would regulate cryptocurrencies.

Brown, 71, managed to outrun the top of the ticket by distancing himself from Biden-Harris administration and focusing on his own strong brand.

He criticized Biden for not doing enough to protect American workers from cheap Chinese imports and announced last year he would co-sponsor legislation to extend the emergency COVID-19 health policy known as Title 42, which Trump had used to keep migrants out of the country.

And he skipped the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, along with other vulnerable Democratic incumbents.

Over his 32-year career in the Senate and House, Brown has been a vocal and reliable supporter of the labor movement and often spoke about the “dignity” of work and took shots at corporate “greed” on the Senate floor.

In recent years, he became an outspoken advocate for expanding affordable housing and addressing the spread of fentanyl addiction that ravages parts of his home state.

He scored a big win in April when the Senate passed the FEND OFF Fentanyl Act, which was sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), as part of a $95 billion foreign military aid package.

National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Steve Daines (Mont.) predicted months ago that Moreno would surpass Brown as he gained name recognition from campaign appearances and a flood of political ads.

Polling presented to Republican senators at the NRSC headquarters in September showed Brown with a 2-point lead over Moreno. But Daines argued that Trump would propel him to victory.

“We’re seeing Ohio is less prone to ticket-splitting and will be probably more of a red jersey, blue jersey outcome in November. And that bodes well for Bernie Moreno,” he told reporters.

Daines congratulated Moreno on his victory shortly after 11 pm ET.

“Congratulations to Bernie Moreno on his hard-fought victory. Bernie is a true patriot and the living embodiment of the American Dream. As Ohio’s next senator, Bernie will put Ohio first every day and fight to secure our borders, cut taxes, and restore American strength abroad,” he said in a statement.

Ana Navarro to Serve as Celebrity Host During the Democratic National Convention

Ana Navarro is preparing for a special hosting assignment…

The 52-year-old Nicaraguan-American political strategist, commentator and The View co-host will be one of the celebrity hosts for this week’s Democratic National Convention as organizers take a page from the all-virtual event held in 2020.

Ana Navarro“I can’t tell you how much it means to me,” Navarro said in a video about being a host at the DNC. “I’m a little refugee girl who fled communism, who fled Nicaragua at the age of eight, found freedom, found opportunity, found a home in America, and for me to have the chance to stand on that stage and help my girl, Kamala, make history and become the Democratic nominee, it’s just such a mind-blowing moment.”

Navarro, who will serve as the celebrity host on Tuesday, is among a roster of A-listers that includes Tony Goldwyn (Monday), Mindy Kaling (Wednesday) and Kerry Washington (Thursday,) per a convention official.

Washington was part of the lineup of hosts in 2020, when an in-person event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephanie Cutter and Ricky Kirshner, who produced that convention, have returned this year.

The convention also will borrow some elements from the virtual roll call of 2020, as some delegations went viral for their creativity in showcasing their states.

The roll call will take place on Tuesday, and it will be ceremonial, as Kamala Harris already has been confirmed as the Democratic nominee in a virtual delegate vote earlier this month.

Other celebrities expected at various events tied to the convention include John Legend, Octavia Spencer and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak on Monday evening, with an expected appearance by Harris.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Barack and Michelle Obama are expected on Tuesday.

Vice presidential nominee Tim Walz will give his acceptance speech on Wednesday.

Also expected to speak are Bill and Hillary Clinton. Harris’ acceptance speech will be the convention’s finale on Thursday.

Antonio Villaraigosa Announces Plans to Run for California Governor

Antonio Villaraigosa is giving it another shot…

The 71-year-old Mexican American politician and former Los Angeles Mayor has launched another bid for California governor, pitching himself as a “problem solver” in an announcement video.

Antonio Villaraigosa “When I became mayor, L.A. was one of the most dangerous cities in America, so I hired a thousand police officers, took illegal guns off the street and violent crime dropped,” he said.

In the video, he noted that Barack Obama had called him “one of America’s finest leaders.”

He said later, “We have serious problems, and money alone won’t fix them. We need to focus on what works.”

The next gubernatorial election is not until 2026, but potential successors to Governor Gavin Newsom are lining up. Newsom cannot run again because of term limits.

Villaraigosa joins a field that includes Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, State Sen. Toni Atkins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former State Controller Betty Yee.

Villaraigosa was mayor of Los Angeles from 2005 to 2013. He considered running for governor in the 2010 cycle, but he decided against it. He ran in the 2018 cycle, but placed third in the state’s open primary, falling short of securing one of two spots to advance in the general election. Newsom went on to handily win the race over Republican John Cox.

Sen. Marco Rubio Among Latinos Scheduled to Speak at Republican National Convention

Sen. Marco Rubio is headed to next week’s Republican National Convention.

The 53-year-old Cuban American politician and lawyer serving as the senior U.S. senator from Florida, a seat he has held since 2011, is slated to speak at the upcoming Republican event.

Marco RubioIt’s been reported that Rubio is one of the vice presidential candidate finalists by former president Donald Trump as he seeks to return to the White House.

But Rubio isn’t the only Latino scheduled to speak at the convention.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who famously refused to endorse Trump in his speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, has a speaking slot. He went on to endorse Trump later in the 2016 campaign as well as in 2020 and 2024.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz is set to speak.

The 49-year-old Mexican American politician, who has represented Texas’ 15th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023. is the first Republican and first woman to represent Texas’s 15th congressional district since its creation in 1903.

Other Hispanic speakers include Peter Navarro, Former Director of United States Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy; U.S. Rep. Paulina Luna (FL-13) and U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno (R-OH).

Here’s the list, as revealed by the RNC:

Family:
Donald Trump Jr.
Eric Trump
Co-Chairman Lara Trump
Kimberly Guilfoyle 

Entertainers, Celebrities, & Industry Leaders:
Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition
Tucker Carlson, Television Host
Savannah Chrisley, TV Personality and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
Franklin Graham, Renowned Faith Leader
Lee Greenwood, Country Music Star
Alina Habba, Trump Campaign Senior Advisor
Diane Hendricks, Owner of ABC Supply
Tom Homan, Former Acting ICE Director
Chris Janson, Country Music Star
Perry Johnson, Businessman
Charlie Kirk, CEO of TPUSA
Sean O’Brien, President of Teamsters
Vivek Ramaswamy, Businessman
Amber Rose, Rapper & Influencer
David Sacks, CEO of Yammer
Bob Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods
Dana White, CEO of UFC
Steven and Zach Witkoff, Businessman

RNC Leadership:
RNC Chairman Michael Whatley
COA Chairwoman Anne Hathaway
Host Committee Chairman Reince Priebus 

GOP Officials & Candidates:
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL)
U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR)
U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL)
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), NRSC Chairman
U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH)
U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake (R-AZ)
U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Banks (R-IN)
U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Rogers (R-MI)
U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
U.S. Senate Candidate Sam Brown (R- NV)
U.S. Senate Candidate Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
U.S. Senate Candidate Dave McCormick (R-PA)
U.S. Senate Candidate Hung Cao (R-VA)
U.S. Senate Candidate Eric Hovde (R-WI)
U.S. Senate Candidate Gov. Jim Justice (WV) & Babydog
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-4)
U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA-1)
U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-6)
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-9), NRCC Chairman
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), House GOP Conference Chair
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL-1)
U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-6)
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13)
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19)
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21)
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14)
U.S. Rep. John James (MI-10)
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2)
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-1)
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13)
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)
U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt (TX-38)
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR)
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL)
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND)
Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD)
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX)
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA)
Attorney General Brenna Bird (R-IA)
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R-NC)
Mayor Eric Johnson, Mayor of Dallas & Former Democrat
Mayor Trent Conaway, Mayor East Palestine, Ohio
Dr. Ben Carson, Former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Kellyanne Conway, Former Counselor to President Donald J. Trump
Ric Grenell, Former Acting Director of National Intelligence
Peter Navarro, Former Director of United States Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy
Mike Pompeo, Former U.S. Secretary of State
Linda McMahon, Former U.S. Administrator of SBA
Newt Gingrich, Former U.S House Speaker
Lee Zeldin, Former U.S. Rep. (NY-1)

Emilio Estefan Partners with Latino U.S. Senators to Help Designate May 2024 as “Latin Music Appreciation Month”

Emilio Estefan has partnered with two Latino U.S. senators to help recognize the impact of Latin music in the nation.

The 71-year-old Cuban musician and producer, who has won 19 Grammy Awards, teamed up this week with U.S. senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla) to have

Emilio EstefanMay 2024 designated as “Latin Music Appreciation Month” in the United States.

Lujan and Rubio introduced the bipartisan resolution.

The effort was led by award-winning producer Estefan, People en Español and political strategist and organizer Nathaly Arriola Maurice, after the group traveled to Washington, D.C. last December to meet with Senator Luján.

“As one of the only Hispanics in the United States Senate, I’m honored to introduce this resolution recognizing Hispanic and Latino achievements in music and culture,”  Luján said, according to People en Español. “The impact of Hispanic and Latino artists in the U.S. and around the world is immeasurable – from driving cultural trends to achieving commercial success – and it’s worth celebrating.”

Since kicking off his career in the ‘70s, Estefan has always focused on elevating Latin music and culture.

“The recognition of Latin Music Month marks a crucial moment to highlight the true story of our music, which carries a diversity of styles from all corners of the world,” he expressed. “These sounds have influenced many generations and continue to be the inspiration for the new ones.”

Fat Joe Joins Kamala Harris for White House Discussion on Easing Marijuana Penalties

Fat Joe is fighting to ease marijuana penalties…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper joined Vice President Kamala Harris to lead a White House discussion on Friday, March 15, on easing marijuana penalties, with Harris saying it’s “absurd” that the federal government classifies marijuana as more dangerous than fentanyl, the synthetic opioid blamed for tens of thousands of deaths annually the United States.

Fat JoeHarris, a former state prosecutor in California, also criticized the federal classification of cannabis as “patently unfair.” The government currently is reviewing how it classifies marijuana, and Harris urged that the process be wrapped up as quickly as possible. 

Fat Joe, a Grammy-nominated artist and philanthropist whose real name is Joseph Cartagena, moderated a subsequent closed-door discussion that included Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and individuals who received pardons for prior marijuana convictions.

President Joe Biden has issued pardons to thousands of people for federal marijuana possession and commuted long sentences handed down for nonviolent drug offenses. In 2022, he urged governors to pardon state offenses. Beshear then invited people convicted of simple marijuana possession to apply for pardons in Kentucky. Biden launched the process to review how marijuana is classified in 2022.

A full seven in 10 U.S. adults favor legalizing marijuana, according to Gallup polling. Support for legalization is closer to eight in 10 among 18- to 34-year-olds, a demographic whose support for Biden, who is seeking reelection, has softened since he took office.

“I cannot emphasize enough that they need to get to it as quickly as possible and we need to have a resolution based on their findings and their assessment,” Harris said of the Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice, which are handling the review.

“But this issue is stark when one considers the fact that on the schedule currently marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin,” she said during the public portion of the meeting. “Marijuana is considered as dangerous as heroin and more dangerous than fentanyl, which is absurd. Not to mention patently unfair.”

“So I’m sure DEA is working as quickly as possible and will continue to do so and we look forward to the product of their work,” the vice president said, referring to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid blamed for tens of thousands of deaths annually in America.

U.S. regulators are studying reclassifying marijuana shifting it from a drug that has “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” known as “Schedule I,” to the less tightly regulated “Schedule III.”

Biden mentioned the marijuana classification review during his State of the Union address earlier this month. He said during a campaign appearance in Milwaukee this week that “no one should be jailed for marijuana.”

“If you’re just using, you should have that wiped off your record,” Biden said.

Cartagena opened the roundtable by saying he’s hot on the issue of price transparency in health care “but, today, when the vice president calls me, I stop everything.”

He got a little ahead of himself when he proceeded to dismiss journalists so the closed-door discussion could begin, prompting Harris to tell him to “hold on” because she had a statement to make, too.

Lin-Manuel Miranda to Take Part in “Broadway for Biden” Fundraising Event

Lin-Manuel Miranda will be performing on Broadway with a special purpose…

The 43-year-old Puerto Rican Tony-winning songwriter, actor, filmmaker and playwright will be taking part in a Broadway fundraising concert next month for President Joe Biden.

Lin-Manuel Miranda In addition to Miranda, who created the Tony-winning musicals Hamilton and In The Heights, will feature some of theater’s other biggest stars, including Josh Groban, Ben Platt, Sara BareillesCynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Laura Benanti, among others, with the president himself scheduled to attend.

There’s at least one detail being kept under wraps for the moment – the Broadway venue in Times Square has not been identified – the date has been set for Monday, September 18, with ticket prices ranging from $250 for rear mezzanine seats to $7,500 for orchestra center front.

The seating chart at the ticket website indicates that the concert will take place at an indoor theater rather than outdoors in Times Square.

Other stars to be featured at the concert are Annaleigh Ashford, Josh Gad, Alex Edelman, Christopher Jackson, LaChanze, Ruthie Ann Miles, Andrew Rannells and Aaron Tveit.

The one-night-only concert fundraiser is being hosted by Broadway producers and supporters Jeffrey Seller, Thomas Kail, Luz & Luis Miranda, Bruce Cohen & Gabe Catone, Tom Healy & Fred P. Hochberg, Barbara Marcin & Orin Kramer, Stacey & Eric Mindich, Karen & Gary Rose, Janet & Marvin Rosen, Alexandra & Eric Schoenberg, Ted Snowdon & Duffy Violante, Henry Tisch & Sean Walsh.

The Broadway for Biden event is being described by organizers as both a celebration of Biden’s political career and “a call to action, emphasizing the importance of his reelection in 2024.”

Univision’s Ilia Calderón to Serve as a Moderator for Next Republican Presidential Debate

Ilia Calderón is reporting for debate duty…

The 51-year-old Colombian Emmy-winning journalist, who currently works as the news anchor for Univision’s national evening newscast, and Fox News Media’s Stuart Varney and Dana Perino will serve as the moderators for the next Republican presidential debate, which is set for September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

Ilia CalderónFox Business and Univision are the main networks telecasting the debate, which will air between 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET, but Fox News also will simulcast the event at the same time, and Fox Nation will livestream it for its subscribers.

Fox News’s coverage of the first GOP debate last week drew 12.8 million viewers on the network and its simulcast on Fox Business.

Plans have not yet been announced for the third presidential debate, but it’s expected to be held in October in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Donald Trump, the front-runner for the nomination, skipped the first debate and is not expected to attend the Reagan Library event, given his past comments about the chairman of the Reagan Foundation, Fred Ryan.

Candidates also have a higher threshold to qualify for the event. They need to have a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, as well as a minimum of 3 percent in two national polls or a combination of three national and state polls.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to Appear on Bloomberg Originals’ “Breaking Bread” Series

Michelle Lujan Grisham is breaking bread

The 63-year-old Latina lawyer and politician, who serves as the governor of New Mexico, will be sitting for a meal with host Alexander Heffner on the series Breaking Bread.

Michelle Lujan GrishamWhile sitting over a meal with a special political guest each episode, the series features wide ranging discussions of views, as well as background about some of the country’s top political figures.

In addition to Gov. Lujan Grisham, the series will also feature appearances by Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Maine Governor Janet Mills and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

One presidential candidate is in the mix on the ten-part series: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who sits for a meal of homegrown bison, potatoes and strawberries.

The series, to debut at 7:00 pm ET on July 4 on Bloomberg Originals, is designed to feature a diversity of political figures from different geographic regions of the country, with visits to some of the state’s attractions in the mix for some of the shows.

A goal of the show, from the Open Mind Legacy Project, is to “forge consensus,” according to an announcement from Heffner, in an era of political dysfunction. The show is available on Bloomberg.com and the Bloomberg app and streaming platforms.

Heffner hosts PBS’s The Open Mind, created by his grandfather, Richard Heffner. The show, which also concentrates on in-depth discussions, was launched in 1956 and is the longest running show on public television.