New Mexico Election 2026: trail notes

Adrian HeddenCarlsbad Current-Argusachedden@elritomedia.com Arguments for reforming New Mexico policies to cut down on crime and cultivate a “business friendly” economy are what Doug Turner hopes…

New Mexico Republican delegates selected two of five gubernatorial candidates during the party’s pre-primary convention Saturday to appear on the June 2 primary election ballot.  Both state parties held their pre-primary conventions this weekend, with Republicans convening in Ruidoso and Democrats appearing in neighboring Mescalero, to help candidates from major parties secure spots. The selection also determines the ballot order, with candidates picked as pre-primary nominees appearing higher up on the ticket, according to state election guidelines. Gregg Hull, the 12-year mayor of Rio Rancho, received more than 55% of the 430 delegate votes. Doug Turner, a charter school advocate, public relations professional and gubernatorial candidate from 2010, received 24% of the delegate votes.

I’m running for governor for one reason: I believe that with dynamic leadership and the right policies, New Mexico’s best days are ahead of us. But to realize that future, we must stop treating our biggest challenges in isolation. Jobs, education and public safety are deeply connected, and for too long, our leadership has failed to understand and act on those connections.  When families have access to quality schools and good-paying jobs, our communities are stronger, crime is lower and prosperity is a real possibility for everyone. New Mexico deserves a vision that tackles these three priorities together. My experience as a successful New Mexico entrepreneur working with clients like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, University of New Mexico Hospital and the Navajo Nation has taught me an essential truth: lasting results come from addressing root causes, not just reacting to symptoms.

Only two of the five Republican hopefuls for the party’s gubernatorial nomination got enough votes Saturday to make the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull got 239 votes from delegates to the party’s preprimary convention in Ruidoso and Doug Turner, a businessman and latecomer to the race, got 104 votes, meaning both will be on the ballot for Republican voters June 2. Duke Rodriguez, state Sen. Steve Lanier and Jim Ellison got 39, 31 and seven votes, respectively. Candidates needed support from 20% of the delegates to make the primary ballot. “The state of our party is incredibly strong,” Amy Barela, the chair of the state party, said in a statement. “New Mexico Republicans are more unified than ever before, and we are committed to showing New Mexico voters why Republicans are worthy of their trust this November. It’s time we take our great state back.”

The general election in the 2026 New Mexico governor's race is several months away, but primary season is underway. New Mexico's primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 2. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.  Two Democrats and six Republicans filed declarations of candidacy for New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial race ahead of Tuesday's filing deadline. The Secretary of State’s office has until February 10th to review the submissions and determine which candidates meet the qualifications to be on the ballot.