NM Dems react after first GOP candidate Gregg Hull steps into governor’s race

Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory “Gregg” Hull has officially launched his campaign for governor in New Mexico’s 2026 Republican primary, igniting swift backlash from the state’s Democrat establishment—but also shining a spotlight on the growing dissatisfaction many New Mexicans feel under current Democratic leadership. In a release, Hull stated he will formally announce his campaign on June 2, precisely one year before the general election, marking his transition from municipal leadership into the state’s highest-stakes political arena.

Hull, who has served as mayor of Rio Rancho since 2014 and won his third term in 2022, emphasized public safety, job creation, infrastructure development, and education as cornerstones of his platform. On his campaign website, he notes that during his tenure, the Rio Rancho Police Department’s budget has more than doubled, and the city has consistently ranked among the safest in New Mexico. Although 2024 did see a rise in homicides, Rio Rancho still earned a place on Livability’s list of the top 25 best places to live in the Southwest, a reflection of the city’s overall strong governance under Hull.

Hull’s focus on combating crime sharply contrasts with the soft-on-crime policies that have plagued the state under Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is term-limited. Hull is advocating for increased law enforcement presence across the state, greater border security to combat the fentanyl epidemic, and a zero-tolerance stance on violent crimes and offenses against children. These priorities are resonating with many New Mexicans frustrated by skyrocketing crime and a state government that seems more interested in progressive virtue signaling than solving real-world problems.

Within hours of Hull’s announcement, the Democratic Party of New Mexico issued an aggressive statement attempting to discredit his candidacy, claiming, “New Mexicans remember how disastrous a GOP governor can be,” and referencing the Susana Martinez administration. They accused Hull of being a “Trump lackey” and painted a glowing picture of Democratic rule, touting so-called progress on abortion access (legalization of abortion up-to-birth with no protections for women, children, or medical professionals), early childhood education (a multi-billion-dollar slush fund), and “climate” initiatives that are driving jobs out of the state in droves.

However, their rhetoric quickly falls apart under scrutiny. Under Democrat control, New Mexico has consistently ranked among the worst states in the nation in multiple key categories. The state is dead last in education, with some of the lowest math and reading proficiency scores in the U.S. It also ranks at or near the bottom for child well-being, economic opportunity, infrastructure quality, and healthcare access. According to U.S. News and World Report, New Mexico remains the most dangerous state in the country, plagued by violent crime and drug abuse. The state is also among the worst for child poverty and unemployment. These aren’t abstract issues—they are measurable failures that have left everyday New Mexicans worse off.

While far-left Democratic candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman may be leading in fundraising (due to them announcing sooner), Hull’s campaign represents something far more potent: the potential for accountability and a return to common-sense governance. Despite that, he has already reportedly raised $210,000.

As crime surges, the economy stagnates, and public schools continue to fail, many voters are questioning whether the so-called “progress” under Democrat leadership has amounted to anything more than empty slogans. Hull’s entry into the race offers a stark alternative—one grounded in results, not political cheap shots. Learn more about Hull’s campaign via his website.