On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the New Mexico primary election took place. This was the first semi-open primary in New Mexico history where independent voters could choose either the Democratic or Republican primary to vote in without having to register with that party. This report is on the Governor and Lieutenant Governor races.
DEMOCRATS NOMINATE HAALAND AND TOULOUSE OLIVER FOR GOVERNOR AND LUIETENANT GOVERNOR
On June 2, New Mexico history was made in the Democratic Primary for Governor on two levels. Former Biden Cabinet Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman to be nominated for Governor of New Mexico and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver won the nomination for Lieutenant Governor.
Both women won their Democratic Party nominations in a landslide against their male opponents. They became the very first all-female ticket in New Mexico history for Governor and Lieutenant Governor in this fall’s general election.
Both Haaland’s and Toulouse Oliver’s victories were called by news outlets a mere 34 and 51 minutes respectively after polls closed at 7:00 p,m. .
As of 7:34 pm, June 2, in the Governor’s race Deb Haaland garnered 72.3% (156,861 votes) of the votes to Sam Bregman’s 27.7% (60,189) cast around New Mexico.
With her second term as secretary of state expiring at the end of the year, Toulouse Oliver secured her landslide victory over her sole challenger in the Democratic Primary primary, state Sen. Harold Pope Jr., who has represented District 23 since 2021. As of 7:51 p.m. Toulouse Oliver garnered 80% (168,109) of the votes to Pope’s 20% (42,127) cast around New Mexico.
DEB HAALAND CLAIMS VICTORY, SAM BREGMAN CONCEDES
On June 2, Deb Haaland claimed victory at Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza where upwards of 300 supporters and attended. During her remarks, Haaland cited her past struggles with alcoholism and reliance on government assistance programs. Haaland vowed to overhaul New Mexico’s beleaguered child welfare system and stand up to President Donald Trump if elected governor. Haaland said this:
“Like so many New Mexicans, I’ve been through hard times. … New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people and who is ready to take on Donald Trump.”
Bernalillo County District Attorney conceded defeat in a statement after polls closed Tuesday. He said he planned to call Haaland to congratulate her, but he stopped short of saying if he planned to vote for her for in November. Bregman said before that he would not endorse Haaland if he lost the primary to her after Haaland posted his relatives’ homes on her campaign website. He called the move a “cheap political trick” and a “failure in judgment” adding, “what she did was endanger my family.” Haaland never apologized with her campaign saying the addresses were public record.
Bregman said this in his concession:
“While tonight’s results were not what we hoped for, I am deeply grateful to every New Mexican who supported our campaign.”
REPUBLICANS NOMINATE HULL AND GALLEGOS FOR GOVERNOR AND LUIETENANT GOVERNOR
The results of the Republican primary for Governor and Lieutenant Governor were a lot closer than the Democratic primary.
On the Republican side for Governor, former three-term mayor of Rio Rancho Greg Hull prevailed to win the Republican nomination claiming victory over business owner Doug Turner and cannabis entrepreneur Duke Rodriguez in a three-way race for the GOP nomination.
Gregg Hull secured 47% of the vote (56,412), Doug W. Turner secured 36.9% of the vote (44,319) and Duke Rodriguez secured 16.1% of the vote (19,288)
On the Republican side for Lieutenant Governor, state Senator David Gallegos won a three-way race against private attorney Aubrey Blair Dunn and Manny Lardizabal. State Senator David M. Gallegos secured 49.8% of the vote (56,359), Aubrey Blair Dunn secured 37.8% of the vote (42,752) and Manny Lardizabal secured 12.5% of the vote 14,147.
GREGG HULL CLAIMS VICTORY
Former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull declared victory shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening before upwards of 200 supporters at the Oasis Event Center in Northwest Albuquerque. In his victory speech, Hull said New Mexicans have a clear choice in the November general election, citing the difference between his views and Haaland’s. Greg Hull said this:
“We ran a campaign that focused on the issues, a campaign that focused on who we were and not a campaign that attacked or tore people down. … I respect that she has served in various positions over her career, but New Mexico families are hurting, and policies of the last eight years under one-party control of this state have failed the state.”
VOTER TURNOUT
Overall voter turn out was the largest primary turnout in the last twelve years helped by the inclusion of independent voters who for the first time were allowed to vote in major party primaries. Independents voted Democratic with 28,000 and voted Republican with 10,000.
Deb Haaland’s landslide victory was 72% to Sam Bregman’s 28% as she won every single county in the state by varying percentages. In Santa Fe County she won with 80% of the Democratic vote. In Bernalillo County Haaland won with 69%. In Dona Ana County, she won with 79%. In conservative Chavez County, thought to lean moderate Bregman, she won with 73%
Unofficial results show in the Democratic governor primary 218,000 votes were cast.
Upwards of 28,000 independents voted in the election. The secretary of State reported that 74% of Independents voted in the Democratic primary or about 28,000.
Without the independent vote, the Democratic Primary turnout for governor was upwards of 190,000 compared to the 176,000 Democrats who cast ballots in 2018, the last primary with no incumbent.
The Republican turnout hit 120,000, up from the 117,000 who cast ballots in in the ’22 five way gubernatorial primary. The independents added 10,000 to the GOP total this year so more Republicans actually voted for governor in 2022 than 2026.
Over 10% of the registered independents chose to take part in the primary. That was in line with analyst forecasts. The number is expected to grow in future cycles.
Link to relied upon news source:
June 4 post, New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan https://www.joemonahan.com/
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Given the landslide victory of Deb Haaland over Sam Bregman as well as the huge voter turnout amongst Democrats, it is clear that Deb Haaland is the clear front runner to be elected Governor come the November general election. Adding to her momentum is the historical nature of her candidacy in that she will be the very first Native American woman ever elected governor of any state if she wins in November. Then there is her ability to fundraise millions to run, having already raised $12 Million for the primary.
The 2026 New Mexico primary for Governor was the most expensive primary in the state’s history. According to finance reports filed with the Secretary of State, Democrats Deb Haaland raised over $12 Million while Sam Bregman raised upwards of $4 Million. Republican fundraising efforts were dwarfed by comparison. Gregg Hull raised $544,920, Doug Turner raised $703,189 and Duke Rodriquez self-financed to the tune of $1.5 Million.
Control of New Mexico’s Governor’s Office has flipped back and forth between Democrats and Republicans over the last 40-plus years. The last time a governor was elected to replace an outgoing governor of the same political party was in 1982, when Toney Anaya was elected to succeed fellow Democrat Bruce King.
In the last 30 years, New Mexicans have only elected Republicans Gary Johnson and Susana Martinez to the Governor’s Office each serving two four year terms for a total of 16 years. However, no Republican has won a statewide race in New Mexico since former Supreme Court justice Judith Nakamura did so in 2016. Today, New Mexico is considered “solid blue” Democratic state.
Democrats currently hold virtually all statewide offices and a majority in both legislative chambers. Democrats have large majorities in both the New Mexico State Senate and House of Representatives and that will not change. There are 26 Democrats, 16 Republicans in the NM Senate. In the NM House of Representative there are 44 Democrats and 26 Republicans.
All 5 of New Mexico’s federal congressional delegation of 2 United States Senators and 3 Representatives are Democrats. In the last 3 Presidential elections, Donald Trump lost New Mexico to Democrats. In 2016 Donald Trump lost to Hillary Clinton, in 2020 Trump lost to Joe Biden and in 2024 Trump lost to Kamala Harris.
It’s more likely than not that Deb Haaland will use the identical strategy to run for Governor in the general election and she did in the primary. She will raise millions, outspend her Republican opponent and ignore and simply refuse to debate and rely on paid media to get elected.
Links to review all election results state wide is here:
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-statewide-office-election-results-primary-2026/71284570
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-primary-election-results-june-2026/71272976
The links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here:
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/deb-haaland-leading-in-democratic-race-for-governor/
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/gregg-hull-leading-in-republican-race-for-governor/
Links to related Dinelli articles are here: