Republican Gregg Hull and Democrat Deb Haaland are emphasizing key concerns: affordability and infrastructure.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
New Mexico is set to elect a new governor on November 3, with Republican Gregg Hull and Democrat Deb Haaland vying for the position.
Hull, a three-term mayor of Rio Rancho, recently campaigned at a Toys for Tots drive, while Haaland, a former congresswoman and U.S. interior secretary, appeared alongside Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Both candidates have identified affordability as a top concern but are proposing different solutions.
“I’ve introduced the Four Steps to Zero plan, which would eliminate personal income tax in the state of New Mexico, putting money in the lowest income individuals’ pockets first,” Hull said.
Haaland is advocating for expanded tax credits and continued investment in clean energy.
“I want to enhance the child tax credit and the working families tax credit,” Haaland said. “I want to keep moving our clean energy transition forward because that will lower utility costs.”
On housing and economic growth, Hull pointed to his 12 years as Rio Rancho mayor and the city’s approach to tax rates.
“We kept our tax rates flat, and that way we could leave more money in the pockets of citizens, which drove economic growth. It drove economic prosperity,” Hull said. “Rio Rancho is proof of it.”
Haaland emphasized the need for greater oversight of corporate landlords.
“There are some corporate landlords who set rent prices with AI algorithms, and it inflates the cost of rent. It outpaces what people can earn in New Mexico,” Haaland said.
Infrastructure is also a priority for both candidates, including long-term water supplies and modernizing roads across the state.
“I want to work with our communities across the state to bring aquifer recharge into our communities so that we are creating a long-term sustainable water plan,” Hull said.
“In a lot of rural communities, people have to drive a long way to get from point A to point B,” Haaland said. “You can see how important it is to have good roads because it’s a safety issue as well.”
A recent poll conducted by the Albuquerque Journal shows Haaland leading Hull 49% to 42%.
