2026 Elections Coverage

As the votes started rolling in during New Mexico’s primary election Tuesday, the results of one race in particular surprised even the candidate in question. KUNM’s Daniel Montaño was at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters Tuesday night as Larry “Lead” Marker not only met, but far exceeded the number of write-in votes needed to get on the November ballot as a candidate for U.S. Senate.

New Mexico – and the United States are one step closer to having the first female Native American governor as former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland beat out her Democratic opponent Sam Bregman with 72% of the vote Tuesday night in the primary election.

The latest results in New Mexico's 2026 primary races.

Election officials in Sandoval County, which includes growing suburban Rio Rancho, said they expect Tuesday’s voter turnout in their New Mexico county will break the record previously set in the 2016 presidential primary election.

Doug Turner said on New Mexico in Focus that his job running a strategic communications firm has prepared him well to be governor.

Ahead of the primary election, KUNM answers a listener question about the Commissioner of the New Mexico State Land Office and what it does.

Greg Hull describes himself as a pragmatic leader rather than an ideological Republican, and he tells New Mexico in Focus correspondent Gwyneth Doland the things that made him a successful mayor in one city will serve him well as governor overseeing a whole state.

Duke Rodriguez says his upbringing and his experience distinguish him from other Republican candidates running in the primary for governor.

Early voting for New Mexico’s primary continues through Saturday and Election Day is June 2nd. This year marks the state’s first semi-open primary election, which means independent and unaffiliated voters can now participate in primary races.

Sam Bregman is running against Deb Haaland to be the Democratic candidate for governor.

Deb Haaland is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in the New Mexico state primary. She spoke to New Mexico PBS.