Kevin Hendricks
The mayor of Rio Rancho will run for the Republican nomination for governor of New Mexico next year.
Gregg Hull, who is in the middle of his third term as mayor of New Mexico’s second most populous city, has been toying with the idea of running for months.
Hull announced he will speak publicly about his bid for the state’s highest elected office at a campaign kickoff event on June 2. According to a news release, Hull will speak about “our vision for the Land of Enchantment” at the launch event.
“I’m running for Governor because I know that our state’s most pressing issues can be solved if we understand each community’s concerns, with a state government that supports local solutions,” Hull said on his campaign site. “This campaign will focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past. I have a vision for our state that doesn’t make excuses for where we are, but looks for solutions that will take us to where we want to be.
Hull told the Sandoval Signpost in January that he has been contacted by supporters about running for governor and was weighing his options.
Tuesday morning, Hull confirmed he will run to replace Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026.
Hull was elected as Rio Rancho mayor in 2014, his first foray into politics after a lengthy business career.
Republicans have not won a statewide election in New Mexico since 2016, when Judith Nakamura won re-election to the state Supreme Court. Republican Susana Martinez won two terms as governor before Lujan Grisham’s time in office.
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman are running for the Democratic nomination for governor. Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, a Democrat, has also said he is considering a run for governor.
Monday, Nella Domenici said she would not seek the Republican nomination for governor. Domenici lost the 2024 race for U.S. Senate to incumbent Democrat Martin Heinrich.
Haaland has said her campaign has raised nearly $3 million in contributions from donors since launching her campaign in February. Bregman announced his run for governor last week and his campaign team said while it was not legally allowed to start fundraising until after the campaign committee was formed, support has been stellar so far.
Hull’s team said he has raised over $200,000 so far for his campaign.
Hull, like Haaland and Bregman, will focus on New Mexico’s crime problems.
According to his campaign site, “Mayor Hull has always prioritized public safety. This will not change as Governor. Under his leadership, the Rio Rancho Police budget has more than doubled and the city has been consistently ranked one of the safest cities in New Mexico.”
Hull’s plan to reduce crime involves increasing the police presence throughout the state, enhancing border security and establishing a zero-tolerance policy for all violent crimes and crimes against children.
Throughout his time as Rio Rancho’s longest-serving mayor, Hull has been known as the “pro-business mayor,” according to his campaign. Hull will fight to “bring new business and strengthen existing businesses” throughout the state as governor.
“Through his dedication to infrastructure, public safety, economic growth, and quality of life, Gregg continues to lead Rio Rancho toward a prosperous future,” Hull’s campaign said. “Now, he wants to do the same for ALL New Mexicans.”