U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Announces Will Not Run For NM Governor; Potential Showdown For Democratic Nomination Between Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland And DA Sam Bregman; Former Republican Lt. Governor Eyeing Race

On January 24, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich announced he will forgo a gubernatorial run and remain in the U.S. Senate. The decision came “after careful consideration and many conversations” with his family, constituents and colleagues.  Heinrich said this in a statement:.

“It’s clear to me that New Mexico needs a strong voice in Washington now more than ever — the stakes are simply too high. …President Trump’s alarming actions this week — attacking birthright citizenship, pardoning criminals that assaulted police officers, and rolling back American energy leadership— these actions hurt families, endanger our democracy, and threaten the future of our public lands and natural resources. … From fighting back against these harmful policies to defending the progress we’ve made lowering costs for working families, growing our economy, and keeping our communities safe, the Senate is where I believe I can have the most impact.”

Links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here:

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/heinrich-decides-to-forgo-2026-run-for-new-mexico-governor/article_84aa13fa-da60-11ef-bcd4-73baa0aadf0c.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIAqVpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTUvGrBxw-UElV3K1tEdJMlWmux07CzH

https://www.abqjournal.com/election/article_90f53926-da67-11ef-a922-335a0b8752ff.html#tncms-source=home-featured-7-block

COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

Simply put, Senator Heinrich made the right decision. Has  was just re elected to another 6 year term in the Senate, and a run for Governor in two years would call into question why he ran for another term in the Senate? He’s done a great job in the Senate  and being Governor is viewed by many as a step down from being a US Senator.

The race for governor will be an open contest in 2026, as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is entering the final two years of her tenure and is barred by the state Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.

It has been reported that former U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Debra Haaland is making plans to run for Governor. Confidential sources have also confirmed that Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman may also run for Governor.  No Republican candidates have announced gubernatorial campaigns with former Republican Lt. Governor rumored to be looking at running.

 

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About

Pete Dinelli was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is of Italian and Hispanic descent. He is a 1970 graduate of Del Norte High School, a 1974 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a 1977 graduate of St. Mary's School of Law, San Antonio, Texas. Pete has a 40 year history of community involvement and service as an elected and appointed official and as a practicing attorney in Albuquerque. Pete and his wife Betty Case Dinelli have been married since 1984 and they have two adult sons, Mark, who is an attorney and George, who is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Pete has been a licensed New Mexico attorney since 1978. Pete has over 27 years of municipal and state government service. Pete’s service to Albuquerque has been extensive. He has been an elected Albuquerque City Councilor, serving as Vice President. He has served as a Worker’s Compensation Judge with Statewide jurisdiction. Pete has been a prosecutor for 15 years and has served as a Bernalillo County Chief Deputy District Attorney, as an Assistant Attorney General and Assistant District Attorney and as a Deputy City Attorney. For eight years, Pete was employed with the City of Albuquerque both as a Deputy City Attorney and Chief Public Safety Officer overseeing the city departments of police, fire, 911 emergency call center and the emergency operations center. While with the City of Albuquerque Legal Department, Pete served as Director of the Safe City Strike Force and Interim Director of the 911 Emergency Operations Center. Pete’s community involvement includes being a past President of the Albuquerque Kiwanis Club, past President of the Our Lady of Fatima School Board, and Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Museum Foundation.