It feels like just yesterday we were dealing with the last election cycle, but here we are. New Mexico is staring down a pretty massive political shift in 2026. If you've been wondering who is running for New Mexico governor, you aren't alone. The biggest piece of news, and honestly the reason this race is so wide open, is that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is hitting her term limit. She’s out.
The New Mexico Constitution is pretty strict about this—you get two consecutive four-year terms, and then you have to sit on the sidelines for at least one full term before you can even think about running again. Since Lujan Grisham was sworn in back in 2019 and won again in 2022, the seat is officially up for grabs.
The Heavy Hitters: Who is running for New Mexico governor on the Democratic side?
Honestly, the Democratic primary is looking like it’s going to be a heavyweight fight. Because New Mexico has trended blue lately, a lot of people think the primary is where the real "war" will happen.
Deb Haaland is the name everyone is talking about. You probably know her as the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior under the Biden administration. She made history as the first Native American Cabinet secretary. Before that, she was in Congress representing the 1st District. If she wins, she’d be the first Native woman elected governor in U.S. history. That’s a huge deal. She already has some massive endorsements from people like Senator Ben Ray Luján and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
But she isn’t alone.
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Sam Bregman is in the mix too. He’s currently the Bernalillo County District Attorney. Bregman is a well-known figure in Albuquerque, and he’s been leaning hard into his law-and-order background. He’s got some solid union support, including the Teamsters and the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.
Then you’ve got Ken Miyagishima. He’s the former mayor of Las Cruces and served for a long time—from 2007 all the way to 2023. He’s positioning himself as the guy who knows how to run a city and wants to tackle the "doctor drain" issue. He’s specifically mentioned wanting to cap medical malpractice insurance rates to keep physicians from leaving the state.
The Republican Challengers: Fighting for a Red Shift
On the Republican side, the field is also filling up. They’re looking to flip the seat for the first time since Susana Martinez left office.
- Gregg Hull: The Mayor of Rio Rancho was one of the first to jump into the race. He’s been mayor since 2014, so he’s got the executive experience.
- Steve Lanier: A State Senator from District 2. He’s a newer face in the Senate but has deep roots in the San Juan County area.
- Jim Ellison: A former Public Regulation Commissioner. He’s focused his campaign on "affordability, opportunity, and trust." He’s originally from Georgia but has been in New Mexico for a couple of decades now.
- Duke Rodriguez: He’s a businessman and former secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department. He’s got the backing of former Governor Gary Johnson, which is an interesting wrinkle.
There are also a couple of people who have filed paperwork or expressed interest, like fitness instructor Belinda Robertson and business consultant Brian Cillessen.
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What’s the vibe of the race?
Usually, when you ask who is running for New Mexico governor, people also want to know who is winning. Early polling from mid-2025 showed Deb Haaland with a pretty massive lead in the Democratic primary—somewhere around 55%. Bregman was trailing at 19%, and Miyagishima was at 9%.
That said, primaries are fickle. A lot can change once the TV ads start hitting.
On the Republican side, the polling is a bit more scattered because the field is still solidifying. The GOP is trying to find a candidate who can appeal to the rural "Little Texas" parts of the state while still picking up enough votes in the Albuquerque metro area to be competitive.
Key dates you actually need to know
If you want to have a say in this, you can't just show up in November. New Mexico uses a closed primary system for the major parties.
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- February 3, 2026: This is the filing deadline. After this day, we'll know exactly whose names will be on the ballot. No more "potential" candidates.
- June 2, 2026: Primary Election Day. This is when Democrats and Republicans pick their champions.
- November 3, 2026: The General Election.
Wait, what about the Lieutenant Governor?
In New Mexico, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor run on separate tickets in the primary but join up as a single "team" for the general election.
Maggie Toulouse Oliver, the current Secretary of State, is running for Lieutenant Governor. She’s term-limited in her current spot, so she’s looking to move up. She’s running against people like State Senator Harold Pope Jr. and Jackie Lee Onsuarez. It’s basically a game of musical chairs among the state's top officials.
Actionable Insights for New Mexico Voters
If you're following this race, here is what you should actually do to stay prepared:
- Check your registration: If you want to vote in the June primary for a specific candidate, you generally need to be registered with that party. Check your status at the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
- Watch the "Doctor Drain" debate: Every candidate is talking about healthcare and crime. Pay attention to Miyagishima’s malpractice insurance proposals versus Bregman’s prosecutorial approach.
- Follow the money: Keep an eye on campaign finance reports in early 2026. In New Mexico, the candidate with the biggest "war chest" usually dominates the airwaves in the final month before the primary.
- Mark the primary: Most people skip the primary and only vote in November. In a state that leans heavily one way, the primary is often where the real decision is made.
The race is just getting started, and with names like Haaland and Bregman on the ballot, it’s going to be one of the most expensive and watched elections in the Southwest.