High-stakes New Mexico governor primary drives turnout with Democrats and Republicans battling hard
“I think this Democratic primary for governor has been one of the most contentious and expensive primaries we’ve ever seen,” said KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff
FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY. YOU CAN ALSO GET THE LATEST ON OUR WEBSITE, THE COMMITMENT 2026 NOW. POLLS NOW OPEN AS VOTERS ACROSS THE STATE GET READY TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS AND START CASTING THEIR BALLOTS IN TODAY’S PRIMARY ELECTION, ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED RACES GOVERNOR, ALSO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE, AND THE U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RACES. THIS IS ALL FOR THE FIRST TIME, INDEPENDENT VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ELECTION. UNTIL NOW, YOU HAD TO BE AFFILIATED WITH A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY. THOSE VOTERS CAN REQUEST EITHER A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN BALLOT. THOSE POLLS CLOSE AT 7 P.M. IN THE GOVERNOR’S RACE, BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES ARE COMPETITIVE AND COULD BE CLOSE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT COULD DRIVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THE POLLS. ALYSSA MUNOZ JOINS US LIVE FROM A POLLING LOCATION HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. ALYSSA, WHAT SORT OF TURNOUT ARE WE SEEING SO FAR? WELL, OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO COME OUT TODAY, MIGUEL, ESPECIALLY HERE. WE’RE AT A SHOPPING CENTER, AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE BUSIEST POLLING LOCATIONS. NOW, AS FAR AS EARLY VOTING, THERE WAS A HIGH TURNOUT. SO IT JUST SHOWS THERE’S MANY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THESE RACES. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DATA. IT SHOWS THE DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT THIS YEAR IS HIGHER THAN 2022 AND 2024. REPUBLICANS ALSO SHOWING SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE COMPARED TO PREVIOUS PRIMARIES. AS WE MENTIONED, INDEPENDENT VOTERS ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR, AND THEIR EARLY VOTING TURNOUT WAS CLOSE TO 5%, AND MOST GOT DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS. KOAT. POLITICAL ANALYST BRIAN SANDEROFF SAYS THIS RACE IS REALLY DRIVING PEOPLE’S INTEREST BECAUSE IT’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUT ALSO HEAVILY FUNDED. I THINK THIS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS AND EXPENSES PRIMARIES WE’VE EVER SEEN. YOU KNOW, THESE CANDIDATES COMBINED HAVE RAISED OVER $16 MILLION. THE NUMBERS SHOW REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RAISED $4 MILLION. THE WINNERS OF EACH RACE TODAY WILL FACE OFF IN NOVEMBER, ALONG WITH INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE KEN MIYAGISHIMA. REPORTING LIVE IN ALBUQUERQUE. I’M ALYSSA MUNOZ KOAT ACTION SEVEN NEWS. THANK YOU ALYSSA, AND WE HAVE SOME UPDATED NUMBERS AS OF 10 A.M. SO AN HOUR AND FIVE MINUTES AGO. WE HAVE SOME NEW NUMBERS ON THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTES. DEMOCRATS CASTING THE MOST BALLOTS SO FAR. REPUBLICANS COME IN BEHIND THEM. THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS ON YOUR SCREEN. YOU CAN SEE ABOUT TWICE AS MANY DEMOCRATS VOTING OVER 20,000 DECLINED TO STATE VOTERS HAVE CAST BALLOTS. JUST OVER 16,000 OF THOSE REQUESTED
High-stakes New Mexico governor primary drives turnout with Democrats and Republicans battling hard
“I think this Democratic primary for governor has been one of the most contentious and expensive primaries we’ve ever seen,” said KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff
The Democratic and Republican primaries for New Mexico’s governor race are expected to be highly competitive, driving higher voter turnout. Early voting data reveals that Democratic turnout this year is well above 2022 and 2024 levels, while Republican turnout is slightly above average compared to previous primaries. Independent voters are also participating this year, with early voting turnout nearing 5%, and most casting Democratic ballots. KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff said the Democratic primary has drawn attention due to its contentious nature and substantial funding. “I think this Democratic primary for governor has been one of the most contentious and expensive primaries we’ve ever seen,” Sanderoff said. “You know, these candidates combined have raised over $16 million … $4 million on the Republican side, these gubernatorial candidates. So, they’ve been able to get their message out there to the voters.” The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face off in November, along with Independent candidate Ken Miyagishima.
The Democratic and Republican primaries for New Mexico’s governor race are expected to be highly competitive, driving higher voter turnout.
Early voting data reveals that Democratic turnout this year is well above 2022 and 2024 levels, while Republican turnout is slightly above average compared to previous primaries. Independent voters are also participating this year, with early voting turnout nearing 5%, and most casting Democratic ballots.
KOAT political analyst Brian Sanderoff said the Democratic primary has drawn attention due to its contentious nature and substantial funding.
“I think this Democratic primary for governor has been one of the most contentious and expensive primaries we’ve ever seen,” Sanderoff said. “You know, these candidates combined have raised over $16 million … $4 million on the Republican side, these gubernatorial candidates. So, they’ve been able to get their message out there to the voters.”
The winners of the Democratic and Republican primaries will face off in November, along with Independent candidate Ken Miyagishima.
