The New Mexico primaries will take place on June 2, 2026, and decide which candidate each party will put forth in the General Election, taking place on Nov. 3. This year, the role of governor is on the ballot, as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s term comes to an end. In the Democratic Party, Sam Bregman and Deb Haaland are campaigning to be the party’s candidate for governor. Ken Miyagishima was previously running in the Democratic primary, but has since withdrawn and is running as an independent.
Experience
Deb Haaland previously held the position of Secretary of the Interior under former President Joe Biden. Before that, Haaland represented New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in the House from 2019-2021. She has also served as Tribal Administrator in San Felipe Pueblo and chaired the Democratic Party in New Mexico.
Sam Bregman currently serves as the District Attorney of Bernalillo County. Previously, he held the positions of Deputy State Auditor, Assistant District Attorney for the Second Judicial District, as well as Chair of the Crime Analysis and Policy Partnership for the Governor.
Lowering Crime
Bregman said his experience as a District Attorney makes him the right person to lead the state in lowering crime rates. His public safety plan includes increasing recruitment, improving collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, and modernizing hate crime laws.
“I know how important it is for the safety of our community,” Bregman said. “People deserve to live in a neighborhood where they’re not in fear of violent crime, or other types of crime that have real impacts on families.”
Haaland said she would want to increase pay parity so all communities receive equal quality law enforcement.
“It’d be great if we could make sure that everyone is earning a livable wage with benefits and the things that they need to support their families, so that they will want to serve in our underserved communities,” Haaland said.
Both candidates said they support improving the behavioral health system and increasing community-based policing.
Affordability
Haaland released her affordability plan on Feb. 25. The plan includes policies such as raising the minimum wage, creating a multilingual calculator that helps citizens know what programs they qualify for, and building housing in rural areas. Haaland said she can empathize with the need for affordability because she used to depend on SNAP benefits herself.
Sam Bregman’s affordability plan, listed on his campaign website, focuses on lowering housing and energy costs. It includes starting a New Homes for New Mexico Program to encourage the construction of starter homes for first-time homeowners. Bregman’s plan also includes starting a New Mexico Insurance Affordability Office to oversee premium increases.
Both candidates are campaigning on protecting consumers and renters from predatory practices, expanding tax credits for families, and supporting small businesses.
Education
Haaland’s education policy includes incorporating outdoor learning for K-12 students, expanding summer reading programs, and offering more opportunities to earn college credit in high school. Haaland said she would want to protect universal child care, something she said would have benefited her.
“[It’s] so beneficial, it would have changed my life,” Haaland said. “You know, I raised my kid as a single mom. Universal child care would have changed my life if we had it back then. So yes, I want to keep that going. I think it will help a lot of parents.”
Bregman’s education policy includes revising graduation standards, hiring more bilingual teachers, and expanding public charter schools. He encouraged increasing accountability and transparency in the school district.
“We need to make sure that we have what our goals are, and then whether or not we’re meeting those goals,” Bregman said. “And when we have troubled schools or classrooms, we need to send in help. That’s what the public education department should be all about. That’s what I’m all about.”
Both candidates are in favor of upgrading school facilities and increasing teacher pay. They also both support programs to connect students to career-technical education and pathways.
Immigration and ICE
Both candidates have spoken against President Trump’s immigration policy. Haaland said she would pass laws to restrict ICE’s presence in New Mexico. She said she wouldn’t allow ICE to operate in masks or without name tags, and pass laws banning ICE from schools, courthouses, places of worship, cultural sites, and public places.
“I think there’s a lot of things we can do and we should absolutely do them,” Haaland said. “I will stand up for every community in New Mexico and make sure that our children can go to school without fear, and that their parents can always care for them.”
Bregman said he would hold ICE agents accountable if they violate the law.
“I’m very, very concerned, because what I’m seeing is things that violate our Constitution, things that may, in fact, violate state law,” Bregman said. “And I want to make sure I lay it out there, very clearly, that I don’t care who you are, you’re not above the law.”
Debate
The candidates will hold a debate on May 2, 2026, at CNM’s Smith Brasher Auditorium. Haaland announced her participation in a press release published March 2.
“I am excited to share my agenda with New Mexicans,” Haaland said. “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.”
Bregman initially asked for the debate in September 2025. He stressed the importance of people knowing what their candidates stand for.
“We desperately need debates . . . so the people know what we stand for and can make an informed decision,” Bregman said.
