A new poll from the Albuquerque Journal suggests New Mexico Democrats may be facing a growing enthusiasm problem in several key statewide primary contests, with massive numbers of voters still undecided and some far-left legislative candidates struggling to gain traction despite years in office.
According to the Journal poll, outgoing Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver holds a commanding lead in the Democrat primary for lieutenant governor, pulling 54% support compared to just 10% for state Sen. Harold Pope Jr.. Roughly 36% of voters remain undecided. The poll was conducted by Research & Polling Inc. for the Albuquerque Journal from April 17–24 among likely Democrat primary voters.
The lopsided margin suggests Pope, despite years in the Legislature and heavy promotion from progressive circles, has failed to connect with rank-and-file Democrat voters statewide.
Journal pollster Brian Sanderoff told the paper that Toulouse Oliver’s statewide name recognition is likely fueling her advantage, noting that “name recognition plays an important role in these lower-profile races.”
That dynamic appears to be hurting several other Democrat hopefuls as well.
In the Democrat primary for commissioner of public lands, longtime far-left state Rep. Matthew McQueen is badly underperforming, tied for second place at just 11% despite having served six terms in the Legislature and tyrannically chairing one of the House’s most influential committees.
McQueen trails former Democrat Party insider Juan Sanchez, who leads the race with 20%, while another 58% of voters remain undecided.
For a veteran legislator who has spent years championing left-wing environmental and regulatory policies at the Roundhouse, the showing is a striking sign that McQueen’s far-left record may not be resonating outside the Santa Fe political bubble.
Meanwhile, the Democrat primary for secretary of state is even more unsettled, with fully two-thirds of voters undecided between Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark and Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin, according to the Journal poll.
Taken together, the results paint a picture of a Democrat electorate that appears disengaged and unenthused in several major down-ballot races despite the party’s statewide dominance.
While establishment figures like Toulouse Oliver are benefiting from name recognition and incumbency-adjacent status, lesser-known progressive lawmakers and insiders appear to be struggling to motivate voters.
The poll also suggests that many Democrat voters may know little about the candidates seeking to fill critical statewide offices, including positions overseeing elections and public lands.
That lack of enthusiasm could create openings for Republicans in races Democrats typically expect to win comfortably, especially if GOP nominees can capitalize on voter fatigue with one-party Democratic rule in Santa Fe.
Toulouse Oliver’s lead also comes as she remains embroiled in a high-profile legal fight with President Donald Trump’s administration over access to voter registration records, a battle she has prominently used in campaign messaging.
Still, beyond the lieutenant governor race, the Journal poll indicates many Democrat primary voters remain uncommitted and perhaps unconvinced by the field of candidates their party has put forward.
With early voting beginning on May 5, several Democrat hopefuls now face a difficult reality: despite years in office and establishment backing, many New Mexicans in their own party still do not appear particularly excited to vote for them.
All of the democrats listed in the above article are failures. we dont need any of them to keep in office. they are the reason NM is in last place in everything. wont people ever learn in this state ? repubs – are you going to get out and vote or let your state continue to rot ?
Absolutely well said!!!!!
Why don’t Republicans have candidates for state auditor and state treasurer and wait until last minute to get someone? Same for the US Senate race and for AG. There has to be a more coordinated effort to vet candidates that can win these races. Give the conservative base, which is the majority in this state, someone to vote for.
Joshua J Lawrence is running for state auditor