ALBUQUERQUE — Former Rio Rancho mayor Gregg Hull is making his case for governor as part of a new podcast series highlighting candidates in New Mexico’s 2026 race, emphasizing public safety, economic development and education reform drawn from his tenure leading one of the state’s fastest-growing cities.
Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho who served three terms, joined host Abe Baldonado on The Chile Wire to kick off the show’s “Primary Profile” series, which will feature Republican gubernatorial candidates ahead of the June primary. The interview offered voters a biographical overview of his background alongside his policy priorities and governing philosophy.
A former small business owner, Hull said his entry into politics began after selling his company and becoming frustrated with what he described as a difficult business climate. He was first elected mayor in 2014 with 65% of the vote and later won reelection twice, including a third term with nearly 70%.
The former mayor pointed to his private-sector experience as a foundation for his approach to government, particularly in budgeting and fiscal management. “Those are the qualifications we want to see in that office,” Hull said, describing how voters responded to his background managing payroll, expenses and operations.
During the conversation, former mayor Hull highlighted public safety as a central focus of his administration, noting that residents reported high levels of safety in city surveys conducted during his tenure. He also cited infrastructure investments, including more than $150 million in road projects, as examples of prioritizing what he called “the basic things first.”
Hull drew contrasts between Rio Rancho and nearby communities, arguing that visible differences in crime and security measures reflect broader policy choices. He said effective governance requires targeted investments and accountability rather than increased spending alone.
The former mayor of Rio Rancho also emphasized his experience working across political lines, noting that municipal leadership in New Mexico is officially nonpartisan. He said building relationships and “influence” is more important than formal authority, particularly when working with a Democratic-controlled Legislature.
On economic policy, Gregg Hull discussed the state’s gross receipts tax and its impact on small businesses, describing it as a “regressive” system that can create challenges for entrepreneurs. He said any changes to the tax structure must balance relief for businesses with the need to maintain revenue for essential services such as public safety.
The former mayor also highlighted regional differences across New Mexico, arguing against a “one-size-fits-all” approach to policy. Hull pointed to varying economic conditions in communities such as Española, Los Alamos and those in southeastern New Mexico dependent on oil and gas production.
Education was another major topic, with former mayor Hull calling for increased accountability and a renewed focus on early literacy. He criticized social promotion practices and supported interventions such as retaining students who are not reading at grade level by third grade. He also advocated for expanded career and technical education programs and alternative pathways beyond traditional college tracks.
Hull additionally addressed crime and workforce challenges, linking them to broader issues such as education outcomes and economic opportunity. He said solutions should be tailored to individual communities and include efforts to recruit and support law enforcement personnel.
The Chile Wire’s “Primary Profile” series is expected to feature additional gubernatorial candidates in the coming weeks as the June primary approaches.
