Duke Rodriguez, a longtime New Mexico healthcare executive and entrepreneur, officially launched his campaign for governor on Monday, entering the 2026 Republican primary with a message focused on management reform, government accountability, and fixing what he says is a “poorly run” state.
Rodriguez, who previously served as Secretary of the Human Services Department under Gov. Gary Johnson, framed his candidacy around real-world experience and a track record in restructuring large systems. Speaking from Albuquerque, he said New Mexico’s persistent struggles stem not from a lack of resources, but from failures in leadership.
“New Mexico is not a poor state. It’s a poorly run state — and families feel that failure every day,” Rodriguez said, adding that his roots in the state and professional background shaped his decision to run. “I grew up here, built my career here, and raised my family here. I know what it means to work in the fields and to work your way up.”
Rodriguez began his professional ascent in the healthcare sector, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer of Lovelace Health System, then the state’s largest hospital network. In the Johnson administration, he helped design and implement major changes to New Mexico’s Medicaid program. More recently, he founded Ultra Health, which grew into the state’s largest medical cannabis company, operating under some of the most complex regulatory and economic conditions in the industry.
Throughout his announcement, Rodriguez emphasized that New Mexico’s problems require hands-on problem solving, not political talking points. “I’ve led healthcare systems, reformed Medicaid, and managed large, complex budgets,” he said. “I understand the difference between promises and performance. New Mexico doesn’t need more slogans. It needs leadership that knows how systems actually work.”
He also signaled that his campaign will lean heavily on blunt, direct messaging — even when that approach risks criticism. “I respect voters enough to tell them the truth,” Rodriguez said. “You may not agree with everything I say, but I will never insult you with a kind lie.”
The candidate laid out several priorities he would pursue if elected, including rebuilding public trust in state government, improving health care access and affordability, increasing educational performance, tackling crime and homelessness, and addressing what he calls long-ignored fiscal threats — such as the state’s underfunded pension systems.
Rodriguez argued that Republicans will need to broaden their appeal to win in 2026. “If doing things the same way worked, Republicans would have won the Governor’s Office by now,” he said. He called for a coalition that includes independents, moderates, and working families who feel underserved by both parties. “Responsibility and results shouldn’t be partisan.”
He ended his announcement with a message directly to voters, pledging to spend the next year traveling the state and engaging in candid conversations. “I’m not asking for blind loyalty or blind donations,” Rodriguez said. “I’m asking you to run with me — to put people first, tell the truth, and make life in New Mexico better, not bitter.”The campaign launched the website www.RunWithDuke.com and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X under the handle @DukeForNM.
There has been some negative news stories about Duke voting in Arizona. if he has any chance to proceed those questions need to be answered beyond any doubt. Every thing he says about NM is true. we are poorly run. democrats have about a 15 point advantage in every election with the voting rolls as they are. if you are gonna run, you better be ready to call out the failing policies and name the names of those democrats that push them. otherwise your chances are zero. the democrats will say anything to slander you whether true or not. its who they are. “their values” on full display
There are some serious questions about his residency and being a valid NM resident. He spend a huge amount of time in AZ and has mail returnded to sender when sent to his ALB address.
I would like to hear more about his viewpoints and plans once he is confirmed to be a viable candidate with residency issues cleared. His background sounds solid on what little I know about him but he needs to get out here and let his plans to repair our broken state to “All” New Mexico voters. I suspect he will have funding to get going and our Republican leaders need to Vett all candidates so we can have at least a one viable gubernatorial candidate to get behind. Ex Las Cruces Mayor Ken has a great track record and plans already being circulated on the democrat side and I have not seen any from republican candidates. Republicans need to get with it if we want a chance to save New Mexico from democrats that have made themselves richer and more powerful at the expense of the average New Mexican citizens being kept at near poverty levels.
At this point, I feel like any port in a storm is better than what we have now. Heinrich has been voted in over and over and yet he lives in Maryland. At least this fellow will be close to NM and will have the opportunity to see first hand all of the problems we have. I would vote for a monkey before I would continue on the path we are on.
Greg Hull, RIO RANCHO Mayor has Lead that community to #6 in the US as a place to live, work, and retire. Pretty amazing as it butts up to one of the most dangerous cities in the US. WE the People need Greg to lead this State.
I’m with Greg Hull.