Hull to Remain in New Mexico Politics After Haaland Win

Gregg Hull, the Republican candidate for New Mexico governor, will remain active in state politics after losing the race on Tuesday night.

Hull conceded to Democrat Deb Haaland shortly after 10:00 p.m., ending a campaign that aimed to challenge the incumbent administration. In a post-concession press conference, he stated he intends to continue serving in some capacity within the state.

The governor’s race was the headline result in a night where Democrats secured victories in most major contests across the country. In New Mexico, the race in Sandoval County, Hull’s former home base as mayor of Rio Rancho, remained competitive. Unofficial results indicated the county favored Haaland, but the margin was close enough to keep supporters engaged until late.

Hull attributed the national trend to voter dissatisfaction with current economic conditions and foreign policy. He noted that high gas prices and the U.S.-Iran conflict weighed heavily on the electorate. An Associated Press poll prior to the election identified the state of democracy and the economy as the top concerns for New Mexico voters.

David Gallegos, the lieutenant governor candidate who ran with Hull, offered a different analysis of the defeat. He suggested that voters in New Mexico often default to single-party loyalty. Gallegos said he was raised a Democrat and believed many voters voted that way without weighing the individual merits of the candidates. He argued that the campaign’s vision for long-term stability did not receive full consideration.

Hull said he felt the campaign achieved its goal of highlighting specific state issues. He focused on healthcare, the economy, and the Children, Youth and Families Department. He told reporters that he wanted to have honest conversations about solutions. He said the team showed voters that problems with state agencies can be fixed rather than accepted as inevitable.

Local Republican officials expressed support for Haaland’s transition into office. Paul Wymer, the current mayor of Rio Rancho and a former colleague of Hull, said he was disappointed by the result but confident in cooperation. He pointed to successful past relationships between Rio Rancho and previous administrations. He said he expects to work well with the new governor to benefit the state.

Hull told reporters at the watch party that he was proud of the effort and not hurt by the loss. He said he ran a clean campaign and held his head high. He ended his remarks with a prayer and asked the crowd to keep the faith before he conceded. He plans to take a few days off to sleep and discuss his next steps with his wife.