2026 New Mexico gubernatorial election
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(Redirected from 2026 New Mexico lieutenant gubernatorial election)
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Elections in New Mexico |
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The 2026 New Mexico gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor and lieutenant governor of New Mexico. Due to term limits, incumbent Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will be ineligible to seek re-election to a third consecutive term.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Deb Haaland, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2021–2025), former U.S. Representative from New Mexico's 1st congressional district (2019–2021), and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014[1]
Formed exploratory committee
[edit]- Ken Miyagishima, former mayor of Las Cruces (2007–2023) (decision expected by May 2025)[2]
Potential
[edit]- Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney (2023–present) and father of Boston Red Sox player Alex Bregman[3]
Declined
[edit]- Teresa Leger Fernandez, U.S. representative from New Mexico's 3rd congressional district (2021–present)[4] (endorsed Haaland)[5]
- Martin Heinrich, U.S. Senator (2013–present)[6]
- Raúl Torrez, Attorney General of New Mexico (2023–present) (running for re-election)[7]
Endorsements
[edit]Deb Haaland
- U.S. Senators
- Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico (2021–present)[5]
- U.S. Representatives
- Teresa Leger Fernandez, NM-03 (2021–present)[5]
- Melanie Stansbury, NM-01 (2021–present)[5]
- Gabe Vasquez, NM-02 (2023–present)[5]
- Organizations
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Gregg Hull, mayor of Rio Rancho[9]
- Judith Nakamura, former Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court (2015–2021)[10]
Potential
[edit]- Rebecca Dow, former state representative from the 38th district (2017–2023) and candidate for governor in 2022[11]
- Nella Domenici, former CFO of Bridgewater Associates, daughter of former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[11]
- Yvette Herrell, former U.S. representative from New Mexico's 2nd congressional district (2021–2023)[12]
- John Sanchez, former Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico (2011–2019) and nominee for governor in 2002[13]
Declined
[edit]- John Block, state representative from the 51st district (2023–present)[4]
- Crystal Brantley, state senator from the 35th district (2021–present)[4]
Independents and third parties
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Greg Baldwin, voice actor[a][14]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[15] | Likely D | January 23, 2025 |
Inside Elections[16] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Baldwin expressed his interest in running "beyond [the] fractured two party system" as part of the White Lotus Party, named in reference to the secret society in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
References
[edit]- ^ Boyd, Dan (February 11, 2025). "With 2026 campaign cycle approaching, Deb Haaland officially launches gubernatorial bid". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ Groves, Jason (February 27, 2025). "Former Las Cruces Mayor contemplating run for New Mexico governor". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Monahan, Joe (January 15, 2025). "Notes From The Front: Guv Race Developments; ABQ Mayor Contest Still Stalled; Santa Fe Waits On Webber". New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Retrieved January 16, 2025 – via Blogspot.
The waters are getting muddy in the early-starting 2026 race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination...Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is sounding more confident about launching a candidacy
- ^ a b c Nott, Robert (March 24, 2023). "Some lawmakers already gearing up for 2026 governor's race". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Downs, Garrett (February 14, 2025). "Heinrich declines to endorse Haaland for New Mexico governor". E&E News. Politico. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Everett, Burgess (January 24, 2025). "Democratic Sen. Heinrich passes on governor's race". Semafor. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Chacón, Daniel J. (February 11, 2025). "Deb Haaland officially launches campaign for New Mexico governor". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who has also been mentioned as a possible contender, said a campaign for governor isn't in the cards...Torrez said in a statement later he intends to run for reelection as attorney general.
- ^ Mackler, Jessica (February 12, 2025). "EMILYs List Endorses Former U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland for Governor of New Mexico". EMILYs List. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Hendricks, Kevin (January 13, 2025). "Rio Rancho Mayor 'weighing options' on running for Governor". Sandoval Signpost. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Howard, Corey (February 11, 2025). "Deb Haaland becomes first candidate for governor, who else may run". KOAT-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
Gregg Hull, the mayor of Rio Rancho, and Judith Nakamura, a former state supreme court justice, are two potential Republican candidates. Both have told Action 7 News they are considering a run for governor
- ^ a b Monahan, Joe (January 6, 2025). "Possible GOP Guv Contenders Eye The Landscape; A Former Judge And Rio Rancho Mayor Top List As Dems Get Off To A Fast Start With Haaland And Heinrich, Plus: Remembering Mayor Janway". New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Retrieved January 7, 2025 – via Blogspot.
- ^ Monahan, Joe (January 26, 2025). "Heinrich Stays Put; Rules Out Guv Run As Potential For More DC Power Grows; Haaland Remains Frontrunner For Dem Nod But Watch Is On For Other Contenders; Poll Floated Showing Her Trouncing Bregman In Match-Up". New Mexico Politics With Joe Monahan. Retrieved January 30, 2025 – via Blogspot.
Other Republican possibles include...former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell.
- ^ Monahan, Joe (January 14, 2025). "GOP List Of Possible Guv Contenders Adds A Familiar Name; Former Lt. Gov. John Sanchez Takes A Look At A Run That Could Shake Up The Field". New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan. Retrieved January 15, 2025 – via Blogspot.
- ^ Geolas, Paris (October 12, 2024). "Avatar: The Last Airbender's Uncle Iroh Star 'Spills the Tea' in New Cosplay Appearance". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites