SANTA FE — New Mexico holds its June 2 primary in six days, and for the first time in state history, unaffiliated voters can cast ballots alongside registered party members.
The semi-open primary format means independents must choose either the Republican or Democratic ballot when they arrive at their polling place — they cannot vote in both.
The stakes are high on both sides.
Democrats face a closely watched open-seat governor’s race between former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, with the nomination carrying a chance to elect the first Native woman governor in U.S. history. Republicans are deciding a three-way gubernatorial primary among Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez, and communications executive Doug Turner.
The most competitive congressional race in the state is CD2 in southern New Mexico, where Democratic incumbent Gabe Vásquez — running unopposed in his primary — faces a November rematch in what the Cook Political Report rates a toss-up. Republicans nominated Greg Cunningham, a retired Albuquerque Police Department detective and Marine veteran who has been added to the NRCC’s “MAGA Majority” program.
On the Senate side, Democratic incumbent Ben Ray Luján faces a low-profile primary challenge from Farmington veteran Matt Dodson. Republicans have no printed Senate candidate; their only option is write-in candidate Larry Marker, who needs at least 2,351 valid write-in votes to appear on the November ballot.
Other contested Democratic races include lieutenant governor, secretary of state — where two county clerks are competing — and commissioner of public lands, an open seat with three candidates. Republicans have competitive lieutenant governor and governor primaries, along with two additional write-in-only offices: state auditor and state treasurer.
The New Mexico Sentinel has published full voter guides for both parties with candidate backgrounds, platforms, and campaign websites:
→ Who’s on the Republican Primary Ballot: A 2026 Voter’s Guide
→ Who’s on the Democratic Primary Ballot: A 2026 Voter’s Guide
Early voting runs through May 30. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on primary day. Voters can find their closest polling location and view a sample ballot at nmvote.org.
