Democratic gubernatorial candidates clash over debates, after Haaland eschews some invitations

SANTA FE — With New Mexico’s primary election less than three months away, the two Democrats vying for the party’s nomination in this year’s open race for governor are in a debate over debates.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has declined invitations from two Albuquerque-based network television stations to participate in debates with her opponent Sam Bregman, prompting Bregman’s campaign to accuse Haaland of running scared.

Instead of a traditional debate, Haaland’s campaign has announced she will take part in an “innovative policy forum” in May that will be filmed and broadcast by the state’s public television station. The event will be hosted by an Albuquerque charitable corporation called Dukes Up Productions.

“I am excited to share my agenda with New Mexicans,” Haaland said this week in announcing her participation. “From standing up to Donald Trump to lowering costs to expanding access to health care, I have the most experience of any candidate running for governor. I look forward to meeting my opponent on the stage and letting voters decide.”

In addition, Haaland has agreed to participate in other candidate forums, including one hosted Wednesday by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.

She also plans to take part in a live question-and-answer forum with KRQE-TV, though she declined the station’s invitation to participate in a debate with Bregman.

Jeff Miller, KRQE’s vice president and general manager, said Thursday that both Democratic candidates were invited to attend.

“We strongly believe debates provide voters the best opportunity to hear candidates engage directly on the issues, and we will continue to encourage all candidates to participate in that kind of public dialogue,” Miller said in an email.

Haaland’s campaign also declined a similar invitation from KOAT-TV, along with its news partners News Radio KKOB and the Journal.

In an email, a Haaland campaign spokeswoman cited scheduling as the reason for declining the invitation, but also said Haaland was a “long-time supporter” of public broadcasting and wanted to take the opportunity to support the state’s PBS station.

Bregman, who is currently the Bernalillo County district attorney, has been challenging Haaland to debate him since he released his policy plan in September 2025. His campaign even launched a website with a timer marking how much time has passed since the challenge was first issued.

A Bregman campaign spokeswoman this week accused Haaland of intentionally dodging the debate stage, saying New Mexico voters deserve more transparency.

“Deb Haaland and her campaign know exactly what the difference is between a real debate and a forum,” Bregman campaign spokeswoman Joanie Griffin told the Journal. “A debate is independently moderated, covers a broad range of issues, and allows candidates to challenge each other’s claims in real time. A forum is controlled and limited and it’s not the same thing.”

However, a Haaland campaign spokeswoman countered the former Interior secretary has been meeting with New Mexico residents frequently since launching her campaign more than a year ago.

“Deb continues to share her vision with thousands of New Mexicans every day and agreed months ago to a debate that airs statewide on PBS before early voting begins,” said Haaland campaign spokeswoman Hannah Menchhoff. “Deb is the only candidate who has travelled to all 33 counties and spoken to thousands of New Mexicans.”

Longtime New Mexico political observer Brian Sanderoff said most voters appreciate and expect debates between candidates in high-profile races like governor.

But he also said there are reasons that Haaland might be less inclined than Bregman, a former defense attorney with a history of high-profile cases, to appear on the debate stage.

“Strategically, front-runners often shy away from debates while underdogs look for more opportunities to reach voters,” said Sanderoff, who is the president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc. 

Both Haaland and Bregman will make their cases to Democratic Party insiders this weekend, as the state party holds its pre-primary convention in Mescalero on Saturday.

Republicans will hold their pre-primary convention on the same day in nearby Ruidoso. Five Republicans are running for governor: Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, small business owner Doug Turner of Albuquerque, former Public Regulation Commission member James Ellison of Cedar Crest, state Sen. Steve Lanier of Aztec, and cannabis entrepreneur Duke Rodriguez. 

Meanwhile, additional debate invitations could be in the works.

Matt Grubs, the news director for KOB-TV, said Thursday the station plans to ask gubernatorial candidates to debate, but added a date for the event has not yet been set. 

New Mexico’s primary election will take place June 2, with the general election set for November.

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on X at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at dboyd@abqjournal.com.