Haaland to seek Dem nomination for governor; rumors swirl about Hull

SANTA FE — The 2026 race for governor is starting to take shape in New Mexico.

Deb Haaland, former secretary of the Interior, is running for the Democratic nomination, according to the Associated Press.

Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, which reaches into Sandoval County, was the nation’s first Native American Cabinet secretary under President Joe Biden. She is the first to begin assembling her machine for what will be a lengthy campaign as the governor’s election is not until November 2026, when Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham terms out of office. Formal paperwork still has to be filed with the secretary of state, according to the AP report.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich ruled himself out of the governor’s race last week, and no Republican candidates have initiated a run.

However, rumors have been swirling about a potential run by Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull. When asked about the rumors, he said in an email last week that he is still considering his options.