Polls tank, donors panic: Dem lieutenant governor candidate’s bid implodes

Outgoing far-left Democrat New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, known for her aggressive eco-left agenda and anti-industry policies, announced Thursday she is suspending her campaign for lieutenant governor — a move that comes as her political prospects appeared increasingly uncertain heading into the 2026 race.

Garcia Richard, a Democrat serving her second and final term as land commissioner, said she decided to pause her campaign after her husband, Eric Velasquez, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. While she cited his health as the reason for stepping aside, the decision comes amid poor polling numbers and waning enthusiasm for her bid.

“A statewide campaign and election is so grueling, so taxing, that we could not focus on both and do both justice,” Garcia Richard said. “We really had to prioritize Eric’s health, recuperation, recovery, and focus on that.”

The announcement followed a recent Blueprint Polling survey showing Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver — another far-left Democrat who is term-limited in her current post — with a commanding lead among likely Democratic voters. According to the poll, Toulouse Oliver is recognized by nearly three-quarters of primary voters, while Garcia Richard’s name ID hovers at just over one-third.

The same poll found State Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, trailing even further behind, with only 21 percent of voters aware of who he is.

Garcia Richard insisted her decision had nothing to do with Toulouse Oliver’s likely candidacy, saying, “I need to do what’s best for my family.” Still, the timing and tone of her exit make clear that Garcia Richard’s campaign — despite early fundraising strength — was failing to gain traction beyond her small circle of progressive allies.

Known for her deep ties to radical environmental groups, Garcia Richard’s tenure as land commissioner has been defined by hostility toward New Mexico’s oil and gas producers — the very industries that fund the state’s public schools and infrastructure. She repeatedly clashed with the energy sector, pushing restrictive land-use regulations and aligning herself with national “climate justice” activists at the expense of working New Mexicans.

Even as she sought higher office, Garcia Richard’s record alienated many rural Democrats and independents who view her policies as out of touch with New Mexico’s economic reality.

While she raised roughly $165,000 over the last six months — far more than Pope or Toulouse Oliver — her campaign lacked grassroots enthusiasm. Her environmental extremism and reputation for political grandstanding had already sparked quiet concern among Democrats who feared she would struggle in a statewide general election.

In announcing her campaign pause, Garcia Richard described her husband’s illness as the “C word” and said her focus would shift to his recovery. “It was through much conversation, not just with each other but with supporters, with folks we trust, to come to this determination,” she said.

Still, Garcia Richard left the door open to restarting her campaign, saying she was merely “suspending” it, not ending it altogether.

“I use the word ‘suspend’ for a reason,” she said. “I don’t want to speculate what the future holds.”

Suppose Garcia Richard does attempt a political comeback. In that case, she will likely face skepticism not only from moderates but also from within her own party — many of whom see her as a divisive figure whose eco-radicalism has done lasting damage to New Mexico’s land and energy policy.