This article is an in-depth report on the State Democratic Party’s selection process to replace Maggie Toulouse Oliver for Lieutenant Governor. The article reviews the 4 announced candidates, compares the qualifications of the two front runners concluding with a final analysis and commentary identifying the best candidate for Lt. Governor.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
On June 2, two term Democrat Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver won the Democratic Party nomination to be New Mexico’s next Lieutenant Governor in a landslide primary election victory over her opponent State Senator Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque). Toulouse Oliver garnered 80% of the vote (168,109) to Pope’s 20% (42,127). On June 18, Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced she was suspending her campaign and dropping out of the race due to health concerns.
On June 25, Maggie Toulouse Oliver officially withdrew as the Democratic Party nominee for Lt. Governor. On the same day Sara Attleson, Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico sent out the official call to the Democratic Party State Central Committee to fill theLieutenant Governor ballot position.
On July 25th, 2026 the New Mexico Democratic Party State Central Committee (SCC) will convene and hold a special election to fill the vacancy for lieutenant Governor. The Spring 2026 SCC Meeting will be held as a virtual meeting with the vote to be taken online.
PROCESS USED TO FILL VACANCY
Under New Mexico primary election laws, candidate for governor and lieutenant governor run independently in the primary. The winners of these races who share the same party affiliation are then paired on a ticket for the general election. Under the state’s election code, when a candidate is elected in a Democratic Party primary election, and then drops out, it is the Democratic Party State Central Committee that has the exclusive authority to nominate and select candidates to fill the vacancy. The State Central Committee (SCC) membership are elected every two years by individual County Democratic Party Organizations. Registered voters and members of the county party can attend to elect the SCC membership. Any New Mexico Democrat in good standing is a member of their local county party organization and can run or vote for SCC. Currently, there are 480 SCC members statewide. The 480 SCC members hail from every county in the state and include elected officials, as well as party officials. Approximately 40% of SCC membership are from Bernalillo County.
FOUR DEMOCRATS SEEK LUIETENANT GOVERNOR SCC NOMINATION
On July 13, the Democratic Party of New Mexico emailed all State Central Committee members the following updated list of Democratic candidates who have applied with the party and who are seeking the State Central Committee nomination for Lieutenant Governor:
- State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
- NM State Senator Harold Pope, District 7
- Toni Pinedo
- Geoffrey P. Luehring
State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard and NM State Senator Harold Pope are considered the two leading candidates actively contacting State Central Committee members and campaigning for the Democratic Party State Central Committee nomination for Lt. Governor. Toni Pinedo and Geoffrey P. Luehring hold no public office and have never run for office and offered no information on their qualifications to be Lt. Governor. Stephanie Garcia Richard is a two-term State Land Commissioner and Harold Pope is a State Senator.
Following are each of the candidate’s statements which include biographical information provided by the candidates themselves to the Democratic Party State Central Committee:
- STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Following is the application statement submitted by Stephanie Garcia Richard to the State Democratic party:
“In March of 2025, I launched my campaign for Lieutenant Governor — filled with excitement and ready, with a dedicated team beside me, to engage voters across our great state.
Then, life intervened. My husband, Eric, received a cancer diagnosis, and it quickly became clear his treatment would be more intensive than we ever imagined. So I made the only choice that mattered: I stepped back to give Eric my full, undivided attention, and last fall I suspended my campaign. It was the hardest decision of my career — and the right one for my family.
Seven months later, I’m sharing wonderful news: Eric has completed his treatment and received a clean bill of health. He’s growing stronger every day.
So when I heard that Maggie Toulouse Oliver had suspended her campaign to care for her own health, my heart broke for her. I know what that moment feels like — the fear, the uncertainty, the way everything else in the world goes quiet. Maggie has given so much of herself to New Mexico, and stepping back to focus on her health takes real courage. She and her family are in my heart, and I hope every New Mexican will hold them there too. Health and family come first. Always.
It was in the days that followed that something I never expected began to happen. My phone started ringing — supporters from every corner of New Mexico, urging me to reconsider my candidacy. I’ll be honest: it’s been a whirlwind. But I’ve come to see it as a rare gift, and a call I can’t ignore.
The chance to serve New Mexico is a privilege I would never take for granted — and I’m ready to serve again if called upon.
Having run statewide twice before, I know what it takes to win and to govern. Before I suspended my campaign last fall, we’d already raised more than $165,000 — a testament to the belief so many of you share in what we can build together.
That foundation is still here. So am I.
It’s critical that the next Lieutenant Governor be a true partner to Deb Haaland — working in lockstep to deliver real results for New Mexico families. That decision now rests with Deb and our Democratic State Central Committee. I trust the process, and I also believe the people of New Mexico should be heard in it.
I’m ready to serve. Let’s get back to work — together.”
2026 CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FOR STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Even though Stephanie Garcia Richard dropped out of the race for Lieutenant Governor on October 16, 2026, she was still required by law file with the Secretary of State campaign finance reports on donations raised and expenses during her brief campaign. According to the latest campaign finance reports filed on July 2, 2026 with the Secretary of State, contributions and expenditures by the Stephanie Garcia Richard campaign for Lt. Governor were as follows:
- Total Contributions: $171,921.52
- Total Expenditures: $147,396.98
- In-Kind Contributions: $60.00
- Current Debt Balance -$2,500.00
- Current Cash Balance: $66,553.17
The link to review fiancé reports for Stephanie Garcia Richard is here:
2. HAROLD POPE
Following is the application statement submitted by Harold Pope to the State Democratic Party:
“I have been vigorously running for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico since July of last year, and I am proud to once again officially declare my candidacy.
When I originally announced that I would run for this important office, I did so because I believe we deserve leaders who will show up, listen to, and fight for the people they serve. Every. Single. Day. That is the kind of leader I have always tried to be.
Today, as the Trump Administration systematically dismantles democracy and the inclusive American way of life, we need persistent, focused, energetic leadership more than ever. New Mexico must remain a shining beacon of resistance to Trump and his Republican enablers. This fall, we can loudly, proudly demonstrate our values by beating Republicans up and down the ballot.
My campaign slogan, “Pope for the People,” defines my vision of elected office: public officials work FOR the people. It’s not about a title, or just one person. It’s about all of us, together, making sure that every New Mexican has a fair shot at a good, safe, and happy life. I’m enormously proud that my work in the State Legislature has been grounded in what I have heard directly from people across our great state.
After flipping a Republican-held district in 2020, I became a State Senator. During my tenure in the Senate, including as the Majority Caucus Chair, I collaborated with other state leaders to pass bills that help offset the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and childcare. I’ve introduced and passed bills to battle institutional racism, support a variety of educational programs, and bring transparency into government processes. My work has supported the preservation of culture and heritage in education. I have championed water and environmental protections. Not all of these bills have been popular. But I’ve never been guided by what’s popular; I’ve been guided by what’s right and worked incredibly hard to get important things done for New Mexicans.
As I traveled all over our state for the last year, what I already knew and loved about New Mexicans was reinforced time and time again: our resilience and spirit push us onward, but it’s our hope in a better future that fortifies us.
My own history of growing up in a working-class family also informs the decisions I’ve made as a state Senator. The twenty years I spent serving our nation in the Air Force remind me that when we put people before politics, we all win. Also, being a demographic “first” to occupy spaces that were never meant for people like me is the reason I persevere. I want to give others hope that doors are open, seats at important tables are available, and exclusionary glass ceilings can and must be broken.
I saw evidence that these hopes can come true earlier this year when I was collecting nominating petition signatures. I saw other candidates struggling to meet the qualifying numbers, and I was enormously proud to have collected enough signatures to FAR exceed the requirement. As we spoke, voters from every corner of the state repeatedly shared that they supported me because they see themselves in me, they see that I represent their desire to break free of the institutions that have bound us, and they see I lead with the courage, integrity, and values that they share. The momentum we’ve built from those early campaign days to now has been phenomenal.
In the Democratic Primary election, over 42,000 New Mexicans joined our movement, and in the weeks since the vacancy in this nomination occurred, I have been so overwhelmed with support from leadership and community that my team and I (happily) have worked overtime to keep up!
We, the people, are ready to create a New Mexico that thrives, not just survives.
As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will continue to lead from the front and govern with transparency and accountability.
As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will open the doors of government to the people of New Mexico to ensure that their voices are heard in the halls of power.
As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will work tirelessly with our Governor to build a state that’s more affordable, where water and environmental protections secure our future, and public education systems are strong.
Together, we will build a New Mexico that expands access to healthcare, a future where working families can afford to stay in the communities they love, and a future where veterans are honored with action, not just words. A New Mexico that puts people first.
As a member of the State Central Committee, I thank you for your own work in your community, and I ask you to join our movement of courage, strength, and hope and cast your vote for me.”
In Solidarity,
Sen. Harold Pope Jr.
2026 CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FOR HAROLD POPE, JR.
According to the latest campaign finance reports filed on July 2, 2026 with the New Mexico Secretary of State office, the contributions and expenditures by the Harold Pope campaign for Lt. Governor were as follows:
- Total Contributions: $81,691.06
- Total Expenditures: $80,775.82
- In-Kind Contributions: $4,294.32
- Current Debt Balance: $0.00
- Current Cash Balance: $11,026.76
The link to review fiancé reports for Senator Pope is here:
3. TONI PINEDO
Following is the application statement submitted by Toni Pinedo to the State Democratic Party:
“I am declaring myself to run for Lt. Governor of New Mexico. Thank you.”
4. GEOFFREY LUEHRING
Following is the application statement submitted by Geoffry Luehring to the State Democratic Party:
“I am writing to formally request an interview for the Lieutenant Governor selection. I believe my ideas and my dedication to continuous improvements can help build on Deb’s platform and address critical gaps that voters care about deeply. Specifically, I have proposals for expanding the Rail Runner, establishing permanent housing solutions for the homeless, and developing state-built, mixed-income, rent-capped housing. I also have a actionable plan to reform CYFD to ensure no child is left sleeping on an office floor, alongside the smarter law enforcement strategies Deb is seeking.”
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR
The duties, responsibilities and powers of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor need to be delineated in order to determine if the applicants possess the necessary skills, credentials and qualifications to perfume the job of Lieutenant Governor. It is Article 5, Sections 1 through 17, of the New Mexico Constitution that outlines the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico. There are very clear differences and major distinctions between the powers of the Governor and the role of the Lieutenant Governor.
According to New Mexico law, the Governor holds the “supreme executive power of the state” responsible for enforcing state laws and ensuring that state laws are faithfully executed. The Governor is responsible for overseeing and managing all of state government and its agencies. The Governor appoints all executive cabinet members and heads of state departments and state boards and commissions, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Governor has the authority to call special sessions of the legislature and can veto bills passed by the legislature. In times of emergency, the Governor can take necessary actions to protect public safety and welfare, including calling out the National Guard and issuing Executive Orders. The Governor’s responsibilities include appointing all cabinet members and overseeing state agencies, prepare, propose and submit state budgets to the legislature, and representing New Mexico in various capacities. The Governor has the authority to appoint and remove officials, grant pardons, and reprieve sentences. The Governor acts as the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces.
The duties, responsibilities and executive authority of the Lieutenant Governor are limited. The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the New Mexico Senate, “acting Governor” in the absence or incapacity of the Governor, holding all powers and duties until the Governor can resume them. The Lieutenant Governor is member of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet keeping a record of their activities and submits an annual report to the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor serves on the following boards and commissions: the Border Authority, the Community Development Council, the Workforce Development Board, the Mortgage Finance Authority, the Space Commercialization Commission, the Military Base Planning Commission and the State Board of Finance. The Lieutenant Governor is the chairperson of the Children’s Cabinet, a body composed of department secretaries and agency heads who deal with children’s issues.
https://law.justia.com/constitution/new-mexico/article-v/
DEB HAALAND ENDORSES STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
On Friday, June 25, Democratic Party nominee for Governor Deb Haaland sent the Democratic Party State Central Committee the following email notifying them that she endorsed Stephanie Garcia Richard For Lt. Governor. Following is the email:
“Dear Distinguished Democratic State Central Committee Member:
I thank each person who put their name forward and who participated in this endorsement process of the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Each candidate I spoke with has a deep love and commitment to moving New Mexico forward. This was a difficult decision to make and I’m grateful for your patience and respect.
I am proud to endorse Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. I’ve made the decision based on a thorough process and who I believe will be the best running mate and leader to lower costs, increase access to healthcare, build safe communities, and improve our schools. Stephanie brings the energy, compassion, leadership, and proven ability to bring people together that I believe will strengthen our campaign and our ability to deliver for New Mexicans. I respect the role the SCC plays in this selection and I hope I can count on the support of Committee members for Stephanie.
The stakes of this race couldn’t be higher because of who is in the White House. New Mexico needs leadership that can deliver, but we can’t deliver on our promises unless we win in November.
Stephanie has won two statewide elections, even when the odds were stacked against her. She is a proven leader – in the classroom as a teacher, as a member of the New Mexico House helping carve the path for universal childcare, and now as the Land Commissioner she has delivered real results for working families. While I was advancing our clean energy economy across the country, Stephanie was leading the same fight here at home. She has grown critical state funding for education, overseen job creation in our energy economy, and implemented policies that protect our air, land, and water.
Her roots stretch across New Mexico, from growing up in Southern New Mexico to raising her family in Northern New Mexico, giving her a deep understanding of the people, communities, and diversity that define our state. Like me, she’ll always stand with our rural communities, from Silver City to Jal to Las Vegas and everywhere in between, because she knows that our people make New Mexico strong.
New Mexicans deserve a government that works just as hard as they do. They deserve leaders who will stop at nothing to fight for lower costs, provide a quality public education, expand access to healthcare, and make our communities safer. Stephanie is that leader and is the best prepared to serve. In our conversations, what impressed me most was her vision for this role. She sees the Lieutenant Governor’s office as an opportunity to build partnerships, solve problems, and help deliver on the promises we’ve made to New Mexicans. I know she’ll be an engaged, collaborative partner from day one, and that’s why I am endorsing her as my running mate.
Onward,
Deb Haaland”
HAALAND’S VETTING PROCESS AND QUESTIONARE
On Monday, June 22, 2026 Deb Haaland notified all members of the Democratic Party State Central Committee by email that she would get involved with the vetting of a new running mate for Lt. Governor. A confidential source not associated with the Haaland campaign sent to www.PeteDinell.com the questionnaire sent to Lt. Governor applicants. The accuracy of the questionnaire received has been verified by the Haaland campaign.
The candidate questionnaire received is entitled “CANIDATE ENDORSEMENT QUESTIONARE FOR LT. GOV”. The questionnaire is four pages long and contains a total of 47 questions. The questionnaires along with the applicant’s answers are confidential and were not be released to the public.
The questionnaire is broken down into the following 3 major categories:
- Vision & Collaboration
- Leadership
- Due Diligence
The Six Vision & Collaboration questions were:
- What do you think are the biggest issues facing New Mexicans today?
- In what regard to you see New Mexico making the most progress over the next four years?
- In your view, what is the main function of the Lieutenant Governor?
- What would be your priorities as Lieutenant Governor?
- Why should voters elect you as the next Lieutenant Governor?
- Describe what a successful dynamic would look like between a Governor and Lieutenant Governor?
The Six Leadership questions were:
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- What is your approach to fundraising? Have you made any public pledges?
- What is the biggest asset you would bring to the campaign trail?
- Please list each election you have been a candidate, including the result.
- Please list any fellowships, scholarships, honorary degrees, academic or professional honors, honorary society membership, military awards, or any other special recognition for outstanding service or achievement.
- Please list your community service and/or pro bono activities.
In the interest of brevity, 34 “Due Diligent” questions are not provided. The questions include a wide array of very personal and intrusive questions including biographical questions, family history questions, educational history, work history with resume requested, military service history, real estate and asset ownership history, partnership and business interests owned, all sources of income and investments, tax history, political and civic affiliations, history of political donations, lobbying activities, history of positions held in profit and nonprofit organizations, civil litigation history, criminal arrest record history, published writings and disclosure of financial and investment interests. The last question is “Please disclose anything you believe may appear in a professional background check that could require explanation.”
It has been confirmed that Deb Haaland personally met with and interviewed the candidates and reviewed their answers to the questionnaire . The candidate interviews and their questionnaire answers were confidential. After all the interviews were conducted, Deb Haaland deliberated and then announced her endorsement of Stephanie Garcia Richard.
It is clear Deb Haaland and her campaign went the “extra mile” and conducted a strong vetting process including sufficient background checks to determine who Deb Haaland believes is the most compatible candidate to run with her as Lieutenant Governor. Only Deb Haaland, her campaign staff, know what was discussed.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
DEB HAALAND’S ENDORSEMENT OF A LT. GOVERNOR CANDIDATE
Deb Haaland had every right to endorse a candidate given that she is now the Democratic Party’s nominee for Governor. Deb Haaland is essentially the titular head of the Democratic Party. She earned the right to endorse by winning the Democratic nomination for Governor in the largest landslide in State Democratic Party history securing 72.3% of the vote (156,861 votes) to Sam Bregman’s 27.7% of the vote (60,189). Deb Haaland now heads the Democratic Party ticket for state government elective offices.
Simply put, Deb Haaland needed to make her thoughts known as to who she wanted as her running mate for Lt. Governor and especially who she feels she can trust. She needs a team player. New Mexico history is replete with too many New Mexico Governors and Lt. Governors, who ran independently in the primary, who were then elected as a ticket, who simply did not get along, who did not like each other, who did not trust each other and where relations were strained.
With her endorsement of Stephanie Garcia Richard, Deb Haaland has made her feelings known as to who she believes is the most compatible with her, who she feels she can trust and who she will be able to work with once they are elected as a ticket. Simply put, Deb Haaland needs a team player and that is exactly what Stephanie Garcia Richard represents.
STATE SENATOR HAROLD POPE
Senator Harold Pope Jr., age 53, was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Pope was commissioned in the US Air Force and eventually became a Captain specializing in satellite programs, weapon systems, and nuclear deterrence. In 2018, Pope retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. Harold Pope retired to Albuquerque and it is believed he has resided in New Mexico for 8 years. After his retirement, Pope was appointed as a “facilities transition advisor” in the administration of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.
Pope has three master’s degrees. He has a Business Administration Masters degree from the University of New Mexico, an operational leadership degree from the Air Force Air Command and Staff College and a Pharmaceutical Chemistry Degree from the University of Florida. In January, 2025, Pope announced that he is seeking a doctorate in education at Vanderbilt University.
SENATOR POPE’S LANSLIDE DEFEAT
Just because Senator Harold Pope ran for Lt. Governor does not mean he should automatically be the replacement for Maggie Toulouse Oliver as many of his supporters and some Democrats have suggested. That is not what the state election code mandates. It mandates that the Democratic Party State Central Committee make the final selection.
Democratic Party voters have already said NO to nominating Senator Pope for Lt. Governor. Maggie Toulouse Oliver was elected in a landslide victory over state Sen. Harold Pope Jr., securing 80% (168,109) of the votes to Pope’s 20% (42,127) cast around New Mexico. Replacing Maggie Toulouse Oliver with her primary opponent Harold Pope she defeated in a landslide would be an insult to her legacy.
SENATOR POPE’S REPUTATION AMONGST SENATE COLLEAGUES
In the event Senator Pope becomes Lt. Governor, he will become President of the New Mexico State Senate. Discussion of Senator Pope’s reputation amongst his senate colleagues is therefor in order. Pope has served as a State Senator for almost six years with two years remaining on his current Senate term. Confidential N.M. Senate sources have said that Senator Pope is viewed by more than a few of his Senate colleagues as independent and uncompromising and that he is a “loner” and an “ideological purist” who has a sense entitlement causing resentment.
Senator Pope has been described by Senate colleagues as a “political opportunist” with a “holier than thou” and “self-righteous” attitude. Simply put, Senator Pope is viewed as not a “team player.” Legislators get uncomfortable each year when Pope proposes a measure that would ban lawmakers from drinking alcohol before or during any floor session or committee meeting. It routinely fails to pass the Senate, but Pope sends the message that he believes business is being conducted during legislative sessions while elected officials are under the influence of alcohol.
“POPE FOR THE PEOPLE” POLITICAL POPULIST AGENDA
The duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor are very limited and are not as extensive as the Governor’s. The job of Lieutenant Governor is largely ceremonial, and it pays a full-time salary of $144,000. The biggest responsibility of the Lieutenant Governor is to presides over the State Senate serving as the President of the Senate.
According to his words and actions, Senator Pope will advocate for his own “Pope for the People” political populism agenda. Senator Pope has said this about his candidacy:
“My campaign slogan, “Pope for the People,” defines my vision of elected office: public officials work FOR the people. It’s not about a title, or just one person. It’s about all of us, together, making sure that every New Mexican has a fair shot at a good, safe, and happy life. … As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will open the doors of government to the people of New Mexico to ensure that their voices are heard in the halls of power.”
With these words, Senator Pope essentially declares a political populist agenda that reflects his own personal vision and priorities. Senator Pope has said this from the get-go:
“I just feel like I can do more in the executive position of lieutenant governor working for the governor full time. I think, more importantly, it’s having someone at the table on the fourth floor being a voice for New Mexicans, and that’s really what I want to be.”
A Lieutenant Governor does not work full time for the governor. The Lieutenant Governor is the President of the Senate and that is the primary job duty and function of the office. It is the Governor “on the fourth floor” of the capital who is the voice for all New Mexicans. It is the Governor, not the Lieutenant Governor who leads State Government and sets policy and appoints a cabinet.
Senator Pope has said this in social media postings:
“I believe leadership means leading from the front. It means being willing to have difficult conversations, standing up to powerful interests, and fighting for the people who too often feel ignored by those in power. … The people of New Mexico do not need political establishment deciding their future for them. They need leaders who will show up, listen, and fight alongside them. That is the leader I have always been, and it is the leader I will continue to be as Lieutenant Governor.”
When Senator Pope says “leading from the front”, “willing to have difficult discussions” and “standing up to powerful interests”, he is sending a clear message to all, especially Deb Haaland, that if he is elected Lt. Governor with her, he intends to stand up and advocate for his own populist agenda. It is a clear message of confrontation and advocating his own political populist agenda. It is a clear message that he intends to call out Deb Haaland on any actions and policies when he disagrees with her.
When Pope says “The people of New Mexico do not need political establishment deciding their future for them” he is denying that as a State Senator and as a Lt. Governor, he is and will be part of the very political establishment he condemns making decisions that affect the future of his constituents.
All of Senator Pope’s comments taken together reflect that he does not understand that a Lieutenant Governor’s primary role is strictly that as a “support role”, to be a team player to the Governor who sets the all the priorities and legislative agenda for the Governor’s administration.
STATE LAND COMMISSIONER STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD
Stephanie Garcia Richard, age 52, was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico and raised in Silver City, New Mexico. Garcia Richard grew up in a family that operated ranches on the eastern plans and northern mountains of New Mexico, sparking the strong connection to our land that she holds today. Garcia Richard says she learned at a young age from her parents the importance of serving others. Her father, a WWII veteran, was a teacher and her mother was active in their church and community. After graduating from Silver High School, Garcia Richard went on to earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Barnard College at Columbia University in New York, and her teaching certificate from UCLA. She is married to Eric Vasquez and the couple have two adult children.
STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD’S RECORD AS STATE REPRENTATIVE
Stephanie Garcia Richard understands fully the state’s legislative process in that she was elected three times to the New Mexico House by comfortable margins. She served in the House for a full six years. As a State Representative she championed laws to increase access to quality education, transparency, and investments in renewable energy, job training, and economic development.
While serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives, she served on the Education and Labor & Economic Development committee and served as chair for the House Education Committee. During her tenure in the House of Representatives, Garcia Richard sponsored 105 bills and acted as a co-sponsor for 115 bills. Garcia Richard served all six years when Republican Governor Susana Martinez was in office and 2 years in the minority, when the Republicans took over the House. She was part of the House leadership team that battled Governor Martinez every step of the way and was instrumental in helping the Democrats take back the house in 2016.
STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD RECORD AS LAND COMMISSIONER
In 2018, Stephanie Garcia Richard was elected the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands to serve a four-year term and began serving on January 1, 2019. In 2022, Garcia Richard was elected to a second four year term as Commissioner of Public Lands. Stephanie Garcia Richard is the first woman, the first Latina, and the first educator to serve in the position as New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands.
As Land Commissioner, Garcia Richard has been focused on raising state funding by administering public lands while always keeping an eye toward stewardship and preserving the land for generations to come. She believes that the state can diversify the revenue that comes into the Land Office by tripling the number of renewable energy projects, promoting outdoor recreation, and encouraging new and innovative commercial development on state trust land.
With the largest continuous oil and gas resources potential ever assessed in the world sitting in Southeast New Mexico, and land that is prime for wind and solar development, Commissioner Garcia Richard has been committed to working to increase funding for the state while protecting the health of our public lands.
Major accomplishments by Land Commissioner Garcia Richard during her 8 years in office include expanding renewable energy on state trust lands by nearly sevenfold, launching New Mexico’s first community solar projects on state trust lands and generating more than $15 billion for New Mexico public schools and beneficiaries with her effective management of public lands
STEPHANIE GARCIA RICHARD AS A STATEWIDE CANDIDATE
Stephanie Garcia Richard has run successfully twice for Statewide office and won by very comfortable margins. She has the ability to raising an impressive amount campaign donations. Before dropping out of the race initially, she was considered the clear front runner having raised $171,921.52 . On the other hand, Senator Pope was never considered the front runner for Lt. Governor and he raised only $81,691.06. Senator Pope did not carry his own Senate District when he ran and lost to Maggie Toulouse Oliver by a whopping 60% of the vote or by 80% to 20%
Stephanie Garcia Richard has a much larger following and base of support within the Democratic Party statewide than Harold Pope. She will be able to tap into her statewide organization to run a statewide campaign in conjunction with Deb Haaland. State Senator Harold Pope’s base of support is primarily the Albuquerque area where his Senate District is located.
The selection of Stephanie Garcia Richard as the Democratic Party Lt. Governor replacement nominee for Maggie Toulouse Oliver will preserve the historical significance of the Democratic party voting for the first time, in an overwhelming landslide, to nominate two women for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
FINAL COMMENTARY
Stephanie Garcia Richard has made it more than clear that she will be a team player as Lt. Governor when she said this:
“It’s critical that the next Lieutenant Governor be a true partner to Deb Haaland — working in lockstep to deliver real results for New Mexico families.”
Stephanie Garcia Richard is clearly the most qualified candidate to be Lt. Governor. She will bring a sense of stability and full cooperation and communication with Deb Haaland to the table that will ensure the election of the Democratic Party ticket for Governor and Lt. Governor. Stephanie Garcia Richard is more than capable and will perform the duties and responsibilities of Lt. Governor. More importantly, she is qualified and can assume the office of Governor should Haaland for some reason leave office before her term ends.
The Democratic Party State Central Committee would be wise to vote Stephanie Garcia Richard as the party’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor.