Filing day for the 2026 primary election cycle took place Tuesday, March 10, locking in a wide range of candidates seeking seats in the New Mexico Legislature. With paperwork submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office by the afternoon deadline, dozens of state House races across the state are now set for both primary contests and general election matchups.
The filings reveal a mix of contested primaries, head-to-head general election races, and several districts where incumbents or candidates will face no opposition.
One of the most notable races is in State Senate District 33, where Democrat William Neil Griffin of Ruidoso filed to challenge appointed Republican Sen. Rex A. Wilson of Ancho. The district, which covers Lincoln County, will be closely watched as both parties attempt to gain ground in southern New Mexico.
In the New Mexico House of Representatives, several incumbents have filed for reelection, though many will face either primary challengers or general election opponents.
In House District 1 in San Juan County, Republican Rod Montoya filed for reelection. Nearby, District 2 will see Republican Mark Duncan on the ballot, while District 3 has Republican William Hall II seeking to hold the seat.
One of the most crowded Democrat primaries appears to be in House District 6, which spans parts of Cibola and McKinley counties. Multiple Democrats filed in the race, including David Alcon, Martha Garcia (the incumbent), Johnny Valdez, Priscilla Benally, and Leonardo Torrez. Republican Paul Spencer also filed, setting up the likelihood of a competitive general election once the Democrat primary is decided.
In House District 7 in Valencia County, Democrat Rickie Allen Gonzales II filed and will face incumbent Republican Rep. Tanya Mirabal Moya in November.
Another Valencia County race, District 8, will feature Democrat Katherine Joanna Gauer against incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Baca.
In McKinley County’s House District 9, incumbent Democrat Rep. Patricia “Patty” Lundstrom faces a Democrat primary challenge from Brandy Laughter, meaning voters will decide the nominee before the general election.
Several Albuquerque-area seats also feature competitive races. In House District 10, Democrat Andrés Romero will face Republican Christopher Crane. In District 12, Democrat Art De La Cruz filed and will run against Republican Steven Tafoya.
In House District 13, incumbent Democrat Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero will face Matthew E. Archuleta in the Democrat primary.
Other Bernalillo County races include District 17, where Democrat Rep. Cynthia Borrego will face Republican Stacey Rich, and District 21, where Democrat Rep. Debbie Sarinana will compete against Republican Robert Mason.
In the East Mountains area, House District 22 will again see a matchup between Democrat William “Bill” Scott and incumbent Republican Rep. Stefani Lord, setting up another partisan contest in the district.
Further north, House District 23 in Sandoval County will feature Democrat Elise Falanga Taylor against Republican Rep. Alan Martinez, who serves as the House Republican whip.
Several Albuquerque-area districts will also feature Democrat primaries. In House District 24, both Frankie McQuerry and incumbent Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson filed as Democrats. In District 27, Democrat Marian Matthews faces a primary challenge from Abby Foster, while Republicans Robert Godshall and Jahnell Garcia also filed, ensuring both parties will hold primaries.
In southern New Mexico, House District 32 in Luna County will feature Democrat Laura Parra against Republican Jenifer Jones.
In House District 33 in Doña Ana County, Democrat Micaela Lara Cadena faces a Democrat primary challenge from Ramona Martinez, while Republican Enrique “Kiki” Vigil filed for the seat. Another Democrat primary will take place in House District 34, where Juan Fuentes and Raymundo Lara both filed.
Additional southern New Mexico races include District 36, where Democrat Nathan Small will face Republican Julia Ruiz, and District 39, where Democrat Raul Turrieta will compete against Republican Luis Terrazas.
In Otero County, House District 51 will not see a contested race this cycle, with Republican incumbent John Block filing for reelection without opposition.
In House District 53, first-term Democrat Sarah Silva of Las Cruces, who is in a moderate seat, is being challenged by Republican Ben Luna of Chaparral.
Several Republican primaries are also forming in southeastern New Mexico. In House District 59 in Chaves County, Republicans Stephen Ryan Dodson and Mark Murphy both filed, meaning GOP voters will determine the nominee.
Another Republican primary will occur in House District 66, where Dan Lewis, Leanne Gandy, and Trinidad Malone all filed for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jimmy Mason.
Other uncontested Republican filings include Rebecca Dow in House District 38 (House GOP caucus chair), Gail “Missy” Armstrong in District 49 (House GOP leader), Angelita Mejia in District 58, Jon Henry in District 54, Cathrynn Brown in District 55, Harlan Vincent in House District 56, and Elaine Sena Cortez in District 62, among others.
With filing day complete, the candidate field is largely set ahead of the June primary election, where voters will narrow crowded races and determine each party’s nominees for the November general election.
Campaigns are expected to ramp up quickly in the coming weeks as candidates begin fundraising, organizing volunteers, and introducing themselves to voters across the state. Republicans currently hold 26 out of the 70 House seats, while Democrats hold the remaining 44. An increase in Republican legislators could shakeup the composition of legislative committees and secure more conservative legislative victories.
I hope that the People of New Mexico use their brains this time and vote for the ones that will serve the people and help the state out of the doldrums that the Democrats have put us in. In other words my friends, stay away from voting demon-0-rat if you can.