High-profile Dem jumps into governor’s race, rebuking Trump, ‘radical left’
The New Mexico gubernatorial race is heating up with the entry of Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman into the Democrat primary. Bregman, a seasoned attorney with over three decades of legal experience, officially announced his candidacy for governor in the upcoming 2026 election.
In a campaign video, Bregman attacks President Trump and Department of Government Efficiency advisor Elon Musk, claiming Musk is a puppet of the president and that they are “attacking” the state. He erroneously claimed the same long disproven talking points that Trump is “gutting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.”
Bregman’s legal career has been marked by attempts at “social justice” and pushing radical anti-gun legislation. Appointed as Bernalillo County District Attorney in January 2023 by lame-duck Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, he has claimed to put a focus on combating rising crime rates and building safer communities.

Bregman will face Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Joe Biden and a former congresswoman representing New Mexico’s 1st District. She announced her gubernatorial bid in February 2025, emphasizing her dedication to addressing issues such as climate change, tribal sovereignty, and social justice.
But Bregman appears to be tying Haaland to “weak” Democrats by saying regarding supposed “attacks” from Trump that they have been “weak, ineffective, and complicit with all this madness. And it’s the intolerance of the radical left that has divided our party.” He added, “Whether it’s them or the MAGA extremists, they’ve all hijacked our politics.”

While Haaland’s candidacy has garnered national attention due to her historic role in the federal government, Bregman’s extensive experience within New Mexico’s legal and political landscape positions him as a formidable contender. His background as a defense attorney and his leadership in the state’s busiest judicial district have provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges facing New Mexico communities. Bregman’s focus on public safety, judicial efficiency, and community collaboration resonates with voters concerned about crime and justice.
As the Democrat primary approaches, the race between Bregman and Haaland is expected to be closely watched. Both candidates bring strangely similar perspectives and policy positions. With two high-profile names on the Democrat side for governor, it is sure to be a present to the Republican Party, as the matchup between the two Democrats is sure to get nasty and expensive.
As of now, no Republican candidates have formally announced their intention to run for governor in the 2026 election.
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