Duke Rodriguez brushes off residency concerns, calls for new $200M stadium in Albuquerque

Since launching his campaign in December, Duke Rodriguez has already faced two court challenges from fellow Republicans challenging his eligibility to serve as New Mexico’s governor.

While those court challenges have been unsuccessful, Rodriguez said this week he expects the questions to resurface as the June primary election approaches — and possibly even after that.

“I have resided continuously for nearly 54 years in this state,” Rodriguez said during an appearance at the Journal’s Community Leaders town hall series.

When asked why he voted in Arizona in several recent elections, Rodriguez responded in part by saying COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration were to blame.

“They may frame it a certain way, but the actual truth is I am a resident of New Mexico, and I can be a resident who resides and has a home in other locations,” he said.

Rodriguez, who owns houses in both Albuquerque and Scottsdale, Arizona, voted in both the 2022 and 2024 general elections in Arizona, where he first registered to vote in 2001, according to Maricopa County records obtained by the Journal.

However, he voted in Albuquerque's regular local election — and its runoff election — last year, and was certified as a candidate by Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver's office this week after filing the necessary paperwork.

Under the state Constitution, candidates for governor and other statewide offices must have "resided continually" in the state for at least five years before being elected.

A former state Cabinet secretary, Rodriguez is currently the president and CEO of Ultra Health, New Mexico's largest medical cannabis company, and has filed multiple lawsuits against state officials in recent years. He is one of three Republicans vying for the party’s nomination in this year’s open race for governor — along with Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and Albuquerque small business owner Doug Turner.

During Wednesday’s town hall event, Rodriguez said new policies are necessary to bolster New Mexico’s economy and improve the state’s health care system.

He voiced support for the state prioritizing artificial intelligence technology projects, including the hotly-debated Project Jupiter data center complex in Doña Ana County.

On the issue of health care, Rodriguez expressed concern about recent financial losses of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, one of state’s largest health care networks, and suggested a possible merger between Presbyterian and the University of New Mexico Hospital system.

“I do believe we are a great state. I do not believe we are a poor state,” he said. “I absolutely will argue and discuss it over and over with anyone who will listen — we are absolutely a poorly managed state.”

Rodriguez also called for construction of a new state-of-the-art sports stadium in Albuquerque, saying a $200 million-plus facility with a retractable roof would create jobs.

But he stopped short of saying such a stadium should be located near the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque, after the governor and local leaders voted this week to move forward with such a project.

“A major trophy asset like that doesn’t always have to be in the heart of town and increase traffic,” Rodriguez said.

New Mexico United, a professional soccer team, has been looking for a new permanent home in recent years, but Rodriguez said the stadium he envisions would not necessarily belong to a single team.

Rodriguez, who has sought to portray himself as a political outsider in this year's open race, also said he is sometimes troubled by President Donald Trump’s remarks and conduct but said the president’s political intuition is “very effective.”

He also pointed out New Mexico is especially vulnerable to federal budget cuts due to the state’s high Medicaid enrollment, oil and gas industry and multiple military bases and national laboratories.

“I will not be a pushover — I will make sure the interests of New Mexico go first,” he said. “I will encourage compassion when it’s due. But I’ll protect the borders when necessary — I will stop fentanyl but I’ll do the things that are necessary.” 

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.