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.
I live in Rio Rancho & I don’t like Hull. The city of Rio Rancho is run like an HOA & city departments are extremely authoritarian & punitive in response to citizen concerns & complaints. Rio Rancho levies fines in the hundreds of dollars for weeds, the utility company is brutal if you pay 1 day late. Rio Rancho got a $10 million account approved with NO audit requirement. NOT my choice I would definitely take a risk on Steve Lanier.
Susan thanks for the input, us folks in Southern NM do not hear the stories from the north.
I must state that the NM republican party sucks. There is not much out reach to the south. I live in Otero and hear nothing but did go to a meeting where our sister county did have a rep come down to talk to the limited folks that showed up. NM is full of conservative democrats, not sure why the Republican Party is not helping us show these type democrats the error of their ways. I am a conservative that just happens to vote republican because the dems are so woke and away from my values. Most “Hispanics” are the same way. Not sure why the Republican Party does not have a plan, do not do out reach in the smaller communities across NM.
The Republican Party here votes themselves in. Why we have no representation
Susan, think hard about your vote. Deb Haaland wants to be governor. would she be better than Greg Hull ? Rio Rancho has a city manager form of govt and Hull does not run much of how govt operates. Repubs get off your rear ends and vote. Quit being a circular firing squad. Republican turnout should be 100 percent for this election. the democrats will blindly vote for anyone with a D by their name. chances are extremely high NM will have another dem governor and continue to be a failure.
I will vote for Steve Lanier and hope that the Republican Party can make a difference. As for Hull from Rio Rancho, I will pass considering all the things that people who live there have many issues about the city. And why would people vote for Haaland who is a dumb as a rock. It any of you watched here testifying in various hearings in DC you would have seen it first hand. She could not answer any questions and did not know what the department of the interior was doing without asking staff. Yup, dumb as a rock…
You are right about Deb Haaland. her testimony before Congress was abysmal. She couldn’t answer questions, seemed illogical and I doubt she could run a department much less the Governor’s office.
Perhaps, but remember, the people (majority) that will vote for Haaland have no idea that she is dumb as a rock and really do not care. They vote for anyone that say “I will give you free stuff”. They do not vote for white haired white guys.
Rio Rancho is run a heck of a lot better than Albuquerque and has been for some time, particularly when it comes to crime/juvenile crime and not blowing off the law. I think that that’s a solid reflection on Gregg Hull’s leadership. I’m happy to learn about other potential candidates and what they can bring to the table, but I’m not ready to dismiss Gregg Hull. And NM GOP please get the word out ASAP in social media, TV news, radio, neighborhood canvassing, billboards, overpass signs etc about all conservative candidates or they don’t stand a chance. As of now, every one of them is behind the eight ball when it comes to state wide name recognition.
We have two strong candidates that will be better than what’s in there now. As Republicans let us do our job and individually vett and pray about them. Then send that candidate to victory in November against whatever “emerges” from the Dems.
E, don’t complain about the Republican Party unless you are involved and active in your county party and a CCC and SCC voter in the Republican Party.
If you don’t like how things are run you can start by running for office in your local party, volunteer to help candidates get elected, donate, and show up. newmexico.gop for county info
Republicans need to get behind their Republican candidates, like Darren White and Greg Hull and Steve Lanier and whoever runs and has a chance to win. Stop tearing down people who get out there, run for office in NM and get shredded by their own party.
Agree!
I disagree with those here who are complaining about Hull. I have lived in Rio Rancho for 44 years and he is by far the best mayor we have had. He is the only Republican candidate who has actual experience running a government. There’s a reason that Rio Rancho consistently rates on the list of the Best Places to Live in the US and the Best Places to Raise a Family. Roads are continually being repaired or repaved. Police always respond promptly when called. I find our Code Enforcement very efficient. We have an app where residents can report code violations and officers normally respond within a day. Offenders are given several warnings before fines are levied. I’ve never heard of “hundreds of dollars” in fines for weeds before but, if so, offenders have probably ignored several warnings. As far as the RR Water Department being “brutal” after one day late, I disagree. I volunteer with an organization which assists residents in financial straits with utility payments. I speak with reps from the Water Department frequently and they are normally understanding with those who can’t pay on time. Water is not shut off unless the past due is over $100 and is overdue more than a month. If anyone reports being treated brutally, it’s likely because their accounts are in arrears hundreds (sometimes over $1000) without a payment being made. I hope that Mayor Hull is successful in this race. I believe he is the candidate who can make a real difference in governing New Mexico.
I have lived in Rio Rancho for 44 years and Gregg Hull is by far the best mayor we have had. He is the only Republican candidate who has actual experience running a government. There’s a reason that Rio Rancho consistently rates on the list of the Best Places to Live in the US and the Best Places to Raise a Family. Roads are continually being repaired or repaved. Police always respond promptly when called. I find our Code Enforcement very efficient. We have an app where residents can report code violations and officers normally respond within a day. Offenders are given several warnings before fines are levied. I’ve never heard of “hundreds of dollars” in fines for weeds before but, if so, offenders have probably ignored several warnings. As far as the RR Water Department being “brutal” after one day late, I disagree. I volunteer with an organization which assists residents in financial straits with utility payments. I speak with reps from the Water Department frequently and they are normally understanding with those who can’t pay on time. Water is not shut off unless the past due is over $100 and is overdue more than a month. If anyone reports being treated brutally, it’s likely because their accounts are in arrears hundreds (sometimes over $1000) without a payment being made. I hope that Mayor Hull is successful in this race. I believe he is the candidate who can make a real difference in governing New Mexico.