Gregg Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho, won the Republican nomination for New Mexico governor on June 3, 2026 [1].
The victory sets the stage for a challenge to Democratic control of the state's executive branch. Republicans are attempting to flip the governor's office after a period of Democratic dominance in statewide positions [2].
Hull emerged victorious in a three-way contest [4]. The former mayor of the Albuquerque suburb seeks to end a streak where Republicans have not held the New Mexico governor's office since 2019 [5].
Following the results of the primary, Hull addressed his supporters. "I just wanted to start off saying thank you. Thank you thank you to everyone who came out tonight, to everyone who voted for us," Hull said [3].
The campaign focused on the goal of ending nearly a decade of Democratic control [2]. By securing the nomination, Hull becomes the official GOP candidate to challenge the incumbent administration in the general election [1].
New Mexico's political landscape has shifted significantly over the last several years. The Republican strategy relies on Hull's experience as a local leader in Rio Rancho to appeal to a broader statewide constituency [1].
“Republicans have not held the New Mexico governor’s office since 2019”
Hull's nomination represents a strategic effort by the New Mexico Republican Party to reclaim the governorship. Because the GOP has been shut out of the office since 2019, the party is betting on a candidate with municipal executive experience to break the Democratic stronghold on statewide offices.
