Republican state Sen. Steve Lanier of Aztec has officially entered the 2026 race for New Mexico governor, joining what is shaping up to be a competitive GOP primary field.
Lanier, who represents Senate District 2 in the Four Corners region, announced his candidacy Thursday, promising to restore accountability and deliver what he described as “real, servant leadership” for the state. His entry comes as Republicans aim to reclaim the Governor’s Office after nearly a decade of Democratic control under Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“As someone who has spent my life serving this community — in the classroom, on the field, and now in the legislature — I know what makes New Mexico special,” Lanier said in a prepared statement. “Our state deserves leadership that listens, works hard, and puts people first.”
Before his election to the state Senate in 2024, Lanier spent nearly three decades as a teacher and football coach at Aztec High School. A graduate of Western New Mexico University, he later served on the San Juan County Commission from 2020 to 2022 before moving on to the Legislature. His campaign, according to a news release, “aims to rebuild trust in government, support rural communities, enhance education, and develop safe, prosperous neighborhoods throughout New Mexico.”
Lanier’s deep ties to the region and background in public service are expected to be central themes of his campaign. He has built a reputation as a pragmatic conservative who emphasizes traditional values, fiscal responsibility, and respect for local control—issues that often resonate with rural voters across the state.
The Republican field also includes Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who announced his campaign earlier this year and has already begun fundraising. Hull, the city’s longest-serving mayor, is emphasizing economic growth and public safety as key planks in his platform. According to state campaign finance records, Hull is currently the only GOP contender actively raising money. Three other Republicans have filed initial paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office.
On the Democratic side, several high-profile figures are vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Lujan Grisham. They include U.S. Interior Secretary and former Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, and longtime Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
Although Democrats maintain a roughly 130,000-voter registration advantage and hold all statewide offices, Republicans remain hopeful they can capitalize on national momentum and President Donald Trump’s 2024 performance in New Mexico, when he came within six points of winning the state — the best showing for a GOP presidential candidate since George W. Bush narrowly carried it in 2004.
The primary elections for both parties will take place in June 2026, setting the stage for a potentially high-stakes general election in November. Whoever emerges victorious will inherit a state facing challenges ranging from crime and education to economic development and energy policy — issues likely to dominate the campaign trail in the months ahead.
Lanier’s campaign announcement marks a renewed Republican effort to present a united front behind candidates who can appeal to voters across party lines and offer an alternative to years of Democratic rule in Santa Fe.