Gov. Lujan Grisham endorses candidate in Santa Fe mayor's race

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham threw her political influence as the state’s top elected leader behind JoAnne Vigil Coppler’s bid for Santa Fe mayor.

“The next mayor of Santa Fe must be someone who understands the challenges we face that demand our urgent attention and has the managerial and leadership background to tackle them. That leader is JoAnne Vigil Coppler,” the governor said in a statement Monday.

Coppler is a former District 4 Santa Fe city councilor who held office from March 12, 2018, through Nov. 8, 2021. She came in second in that year’s mayoral race, earning 35% of the vote against current office holder Alan Webber, who isn’t running for a third term in the upcoming Nov. 4 election.

A total of eight candidates have entered the field this year to lead the capital city: Michael Garcia, Justin Greene, Letitia Montoya, Tarin Nix, Jeanne O’Dean, Oscar Rodriguez, Ron Trujillo and Vigil Coppler.

Lujan Grisham’s endorsement comes at a critical point in the 2025 race, with just three weeks left before early voting begins.

“The governor’s endorsement means a great deal to me, first of all, it certainly is exciting, because she’s recognized my work,” Vigil Coppler told the Journal on Tuesday. “She certainly knows that I can step into the role very quickly and make some really good, fulfilling changes to Santa Fe because of my experience, and she knows I’ve worked in city government before.”

Vigil Coppler, who also worked on former Gov. Bill Richardson’s transition teams, said she’s running on a platform that emphasizes a return to “good governing, less crime, more housing and more reliable, functioning infrastructure.”

Lujan Grisham’s endorsement came from a consultancy outside the Governor’s Office. Although Lujan Grisham has used her position to support other candidates in years past, including Anita Gonzales’ successful bid for New Mexico House District 70 in 2024, the agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment as to why the governor chose to endorse in this year’s race or whether she has supported a Santa Fe mayoral candidate since taking office in 2019.

“JoAnne is ready to lead Santa Fe on day one and implement her 10-point plan to turn around Santa Fe,” the governor’s statement continued. “I have a decades long relationship with JoAnne and know more than capable to lead the city.”

Vigil Coppler said she and Lujan Grisham have never “really socialized,” but both were born and raised in Santa Fe.

“She was a St. Michael’s Horseman, and I was a Santa Fe High School Demon,” the former city councilor said. “I guess we had a great affinity for each other growing up because she was in government and I was in government. I’ve watched her for many years, most notably when she was appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson as the Aging and Long Term (Services) secretary. I’ve always been interested in what she’s doing because I’ve always thought she was so good at it.”

Early voting is from Oct. 7-Nov. 1. For more information, visit the Office of the Santa Fe County Clerk at santafecountynm.gov/clerk/elections/pollinglocations.