Democratic candidates Sam Bregman and Deb Haaland faced off in a PBS debate, filmed Saturday at CNM and aired Thursday, as the race for New Mexico governor intensifies ahead of the June 2 primary election. The debate featured a live audience and a group of undecided voters who judged the candidates’ answers by waving flags if they felt the responses were clear. If the group did not wave their flags, the candidates had less time to answer. Haaland and Bregman presented their visions for leading New Mexico over the next four years, with several contentious exchanges. One recurring issue was how each candidate would handle President Donald Trump’s administration. “Trump has an obligation to New Mexico,” Haaland said. “And I know how to hold his feet to the fire because I’ve done it before.”Bregman responded, “I actually am not aware, Deb, of any holding Mr. Trump’s feet to the fire on your part, but I’ll accept your answer for what it is.” Immigration enforcement was another flashpoint, with both candidates addressing how they would respond to federal raids in New Mexico. If “ICE comes into New Mexico and violates the law. I will charge them with a crime like I will anybody else. Just because you have a badge and a gun does not make you above the law,” Bregman said. Haaland responded, “We should pass laws that say ICE should not be at public schools. They should not be at courthouses. They should not be at sacred sites. They should not be in churches or religious sites. These are areas where New Mexicans should feel safe.” The environmental impact of large-scale data centers, such as Project Jupiter, also sparked debate. “If done right, data centers can provide a benefit to a community and actually accelerate clean energy, if done right,” Bregman said. Haaland said, “I just believe very strongly that data centers don’t have the best interests of our community at heart.” Both candidates used their closing statements to appeal to voters. “I appreciate being at ‘the debate games,’ but the games of the future are not games. They’re serious when it comes to the governor’s race. This is too important. We have too many challenges, and we need leadership,” Bregman said. Haaland said, “I have a record of protecting our natural resources. I have a record of moving clean energy forward. I have a record of managing a very large department, and I’m ready to be New Mexico’s next governor.” Voters on Thursday gathered at a local restaurant for a watch party to discuss the debate. “They both have pretty good performances, I thought,” one attendee said. “She performed a little bit better, but I really liked Bregman’s answers on ICE and education,” another said. “I like Deb Haaland on the answers,” a voter said. “I thought she was much more firm on the environmental protections,” another added.
Democratic candidates Sam Bregman and Deb Haaland faced off in a PBS debate, filmed Saturday at CNM and aired Thursday, as the race for New Mexico governor intensifies ahead of the June 2 primary election.
The debate featured a live audience and a group of undecided voters who judged the candidates’ answers by waving flags if they felt the responses were clear. If the group did not wave their flags, the candidates had less time to answer.
Haaland and Bregman presented their visions for leading New Mexico over the next four years, with several contentious exchanges.
One recurring issue was how each candidate would handle President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Trump has an obligation to New Mexico,” Haaland said. “And I know how to hold his feet to the fire because I’ve done it before.”
Bregman responded, “I actually am not aware, Deb, of any holding Mr. Trump’s feet to the fire on your part, but I’ll accept your answer for what it is.”
Immigration enforcement was another flashpoint, with both candidates addressing how they would respond to federal raids in New Mexico.
If “ICE comes into New Mexico and violates the law. I will charge them with a crime like I will anybody else. Just because you have a badge and a gun does not make you above the law,” Bregman said.
Haaland responded, “We should pass laws that say ICE should not be at public schools. They should not be at courthouses. They should not be at sacred sites. They should not be in churches or religious sites. These are areas where New Mexicans should feel safe.”
The environmental impact of large-scale data centers, such as Project Jupiter, also sparked debate.
“If done right, data centers can provide a benefit to a community and actually accelerate clean energy, if done right,” Bregman said.
Haaland said, “I just believe very strongly that data centers don’t have the best interests of our community at heart.”
Both candidates used their closing statements to appeal to voters.
“I appreciate being at ‘the debate games,’ but the games of the future are not games. They’re serious when it comes to the governor’s race. This is too important. We have too many challenges, and we need leadership,” Bregman said.
Haaland said, “I have a record of protecting our natural resources. I have a record of moving clean energy forward. I have a record of managing a very large department, and I’m ready to be New Mexico’s next governor.”
Voters on Thursday gathered at a local restaurant for a watch party to discuss the debate.
“They both have pretty good performances, I thought,” one attendee said. “She performed a little bit better, but I really liked Bregman’s answers on ICE and education,” another said.
“I like Deb Haaland on the answers,” a voter said. “I thought she was much more firm on the environmental protections,” another added.
