Money race heats up in NM's open contest for governor

SANTA FE — While the first votes in New Mexico’s open contest for governor won’t be cast for nearly a year, the money race is already in full swing.

Democrat Sam Bregman recently announced he had raised more than $1 million in campaign contributions in the five weeks since launching his campaign on April 10.

His Democratic primary rival, former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, said she has received nearly $3.7 million in donations since announcing her campaign in mid-February.

The hefty early fundraising hauls indicate next year’s gubernatorial race will, as expected, be an expensive one, following on the heels of the 2022 race between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican Mark Ronchetti.

In that year’s race, Lujan Grisham spent roughly $13 million on her successful re-election campaign, while Ronchetti spent more than $9 million. Those figures do not include hefty spending on the race by outside groups.

Bregman, who is currently the Bernalillo County district attorney, said his fundraising figure shows he has built momentum in the race.

“For too long, the status quo has left too many behind,” he said in a statement. “Now, people across the state are stepping up because they’re ready for change.”

The $1 million-plus in contributions does not include any personal loans from Bregman to his campaign or any contributions from his son Alex Bregman, an All-Star third baseman with the Boston Red Sox, said Bregman campaign spokeswoman Joanie Griffin.

She also said the Bregman campaign has about $850,000 in its account, with some spending on digital advertising.

For her part, Haaland said her campaign has received contributions from roughly 51,000 people, with an average donation of about $72 per donor.

Her campaign had a balance of about $1.7 million in its account as of last month, according to a report filed with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s office.

“We’re running a grassroots campaign to fight for hardworking New Mexicans,” Haaland said in a statement. “This campaign is going to be funded by the people, and that’s the way it should be.”

Bregman and Haaland will soon be joined in the Democratic primary race by former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, who plans to launch his campaign officially next week after previously setting up an exploratory committee. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales is also considering entering the race.

On the Republican side, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull confirmed his plans to run for governor last month after reporting more than $200,000 in campaign contributions. He’s expected to announce his campaign formally next month.

Cannabis entrepreneur and former state Cabinet secretary Duke Rodriguez is also weighing a GOP bid for governor, with a final decision expected by this summer. Other candidates could also join the race in the coming months.

New Mexico’s 2026 race for governor is an open contest, since Lujan Grisham is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.

The state’s primary election is scheduled for June 2026, with the general election then set for Nov. 3.