ALBUQUERQUE — State Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, has announced he is running for lieutenant governor of New Mexico, saying he wants to bring a rural perspective to the executive branch and focus on public safety, education and economic policy.
Gallegos, who has served in the Legislature since 2013, said during a recent interview in Albuquerque that his decision to seek statewide office stems from what he views as a need for greater representation of rural communities in Santa Fe.
“It’s important that we have someone in that governor’s office that actually understands rural life,” Gallegos said, pointing to geographic and economic differences between southeastern New Mexico and larger metropolitan areas.
Gallegos was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2012, becoming the first Hispanic lawmaker to represent Lea County, according to his account. He served eight years in the House before winning a seat in the Senate, where he has served for six years and currently chairs the Republican caucus. He also has served for more than two decades on the Eunice school board.
In outlining his campaign priorities, Gallegos cited access to health care in rural communities, arguing that residents in his district often travel out of state for specialized treatment. He said malpractice laws and other regulatory policies have made it more difficult to recruit and retain physicians in parts of New Mexico.
“We want to support our state first,” he said, adding that long travel distances can create challenges for patients seeking care.
Education funding and accountability are also central to his platform. Gallegos said lawmakers have increased spending on public schools in recent years but have not seen corresponding improvements in student outcomes. He referenced disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic as having long-term academic and mental health effects on students.
“Education should not be a political football,” Gallegos said, calling for policies he believes would better prepare students for the workforce.
Gallegos also addressed public assistance programs, arguing that benefit eligibility thresholds can discourage wage increases for low-income workers. He described situations in which employees reduced work hours to avoid losing benefits, and said he supports policy changes that would phase out assistance more gradually.
On a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to determine whether state legislators receive a salary, Gallegos said he opposes the measure. New Mexico is the only state that does not provide lawmakers a base salary, though they receive per diem payments and mileage reimbursements during sessions and interim meetings.
“I think it’s an honor to serve, not a job,” Gallegos said, adding that he believes budget priorities such as education and public safety should come first.
If elected lieutenant governor, Gallegos would preside over the Senate and serve on various state boards and commissions. He said he hopes to build coalitions and act as a liaison between constituents and the governor’s office.
Among his legislative efforts, Gallegos highlighted his sponsorship of changes to the state’s Safe Haven law, including the installation of secure baby boxes at fire stations to allow parents to surrender infants anonymously. He described the program as one of the most meaningful initiatives of his tenure.
Gallegos is one of several Republicans seeking the nomination for lieutenant governor. He said he intends to focus his campaign on his legislative record and his background in rural New Mexico as he travels the state in the coming months.
