New-Mexico Gubernatorial Primary Election — Candidate Comparison
This page presents a side-by-side comparison of candidate priorities and promises in the New-Mexico gubernatorial primary election.
Candidates:
- Sam Bregman (Democratic) — Candidate in the New-Mexico gubernatorial primary election
- Ken Miyagishima (Democratic) — Candidate in the New-Mexico gubernatorial primary election
- Deb Haaland (Democratic) — Candidate in the New-Mexico gubernatorial primary election
Candidate Priorities and Promises in the Primary Election
The table below compares the publicly stated priorities and promises of candidates competing in the primary election. Information is compiled from official campaign websites, public statements, and other verifiable sources to help voters understand where candidates stand on key issues.
About
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Sam Bregman is running for Governor to protect the people of New Mexico and address the critical problems we face with crime, access to healthcare, education and economic development. A proud graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law, Sam began his career as a prosecutor over 30 years ago as a way to give back to his community. Sam served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Second Judicial District early in his career, where he prosecuted a wide range of misdemeanor and felony drug cases including domestic violence and DWIs, among others. Answering a lifelong calling to public service that extended beyond the courtroom, Sam also served on the Albuquerque City Council. As a City Councilor, Sam championed the implementation of a pilot program known as SANE...
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
My last name, Miyagishima may not sound local to everyone... But my heart is, and always has been, deeply rooted in New Mexico. I am running for Governor to make sure that every New Mexican, no matter what they look like or where they come from, has an ear that will listen and a voice that will speak for them! "That belief has never left me. Not then, not now - Ni antes, ni ahora." Born at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi; Raised in Alamogordo, 1969-71; Las Cruces 1971-Present; Married to the former Rosario "Rosie" Rodriguez; Children Danielle, John, Francisco and Carlos Miyagishima; Democrat; Education M.B.A. from UT-El Paso; BBA: Finance & Real Estate from New Mexico State. Adjunct MSU Professor.
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Deb Haaland is a 35th-generation New Mexican, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, a small businesswoman, a working mother who’s lived paycheck to paycheck, a former congresswoman, and for the past four years, the United States Secretary of the Interior. Deb Haaland is of and for New Mexico: Like many New Mexicans, Deb has faced challenges, like homelessness and financial insecurity. Deb helped pay for her child’s preschool by volunteering at the school for discounted tuition. She relied on food stamps to put food on the table and Planned Parenthood for essential care. But like so many... Delivering for New Mexico Working Families: As Secretary, she led nearly 70,000 federal employees and worked tirelessly for New Mexicans, securing thousands of New Mexico jobs, historic local clean energy
Achievements
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Sam also introduced the first hate crime ordinance in New Mexico’s history during his time on the City Council. Determined to continue his fight to bring justice to those who have been wronged, Sam went on to build a successful legal practice. Sam dealt with a breadth of legal issues, using his extensive skill set to fight for victims of medical malpractice, advocate for workers who had been wrongfully terminated or harassed in the workplace, and hold police officers accountable for misconduct. Notably, Sam has served as the Deputy State Auditor for New Mexico and is also former Chair of the Crime Analysis and Policy Partnership for the Governor. In January 2023, Sam was appointed Bernalillo County District Attorney by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and was later ...
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
2007, 2011, 2015 : November 17, 2007, first elected as Mayor of Las Cruces, 2011 and 2015, re-elected to 4-year terms. 2019, 2023: Re-elected as Mayor of Las Cruces and retired on December 31, 2023, as the longest serving Mayor of Las Cruces since 1907.
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Deb was confirmed as Secretary of the Interior with strong bipartisan support and is the first Native American cabinet secretary in our nation’s history. As Secretary, she led nearly 70,000 federal employees and worked tirelessly for New Mexicans, securing thousands of New Mexico jobs, historic local clean energy development, and hundreds of millions of dollars of investments in the state. She played a pivotal role in protecting 13.5 million acres of land in New Mexico and nationwide, partnering with rural communities and Tribal Nations to preserve our natural resources for fishing, ranching, recreation, and more. And as someone who grew up in a rural community, Deb partnered with New Mexico’s rural towns and villages to secure their water and address their biggest challenges...
Priority 1
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Law That's Just Built on Trust: Sam Bregman’s Plan to Fight Crime in New Mexico, Combat drug addition, Recruit more police, Crack down on youth violence, Attack property crime, Prevent domestic violence, Prosecute hate crimes, Battle organized crime, Tackling DWI.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Public Safety and Law Enforcement Policy: Maximum Penalties for Crimes Against Public Servants, Establish a New Unit – NM Metro Police, Recruitment Through Housing Incentives, Collaboration with Local Sheriffs, Pursue a Reduction to 15 Years for Full Retirement Eligibility, Honoring Our Fallen Heroes, Leveraging the National Guard, Systemic Reforms.
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Education: Strong Readers, Supported Educators, Successful Families: Education that Works for New Mexico “From early learning to graduation to workforce development, every step in a child’s journey should open doors.” No matter their background, every child in New Mexico deserves a fair shot, the chance to dream big, the ability to reach their full potential. Deb is a proud product of public schools and has a plan to make New Mexico a state where kids can find opportunity when they’re ...
Priority 2
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
A Prescription for Progress: Defend New Mexicans from Trump and GOP, Expand the number of physicians and other specialists by signing compacts with 40 other states to increase access to care, Grow, retain and support our health care workforce, Build a strong system for patients and health care professionals, Malpractice reform.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Stemming the Loss of Doctors!: On March 25, 2025, Dr. Lawrence Andrade announced that he and his wife, Dr. Andra Andrade were leaving New Mexico due to the skyrocketing cost of medical malpractice insurance. Collectively, they served 9,000 patients. Their departure is a symptom of the medical malpractice crisis facing New Mexico. We are the only state in the nation that has lost doctors during the past 5 years. The reason? The cost of medical malpractice insurance. We have the...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Affordability: “I understand what it’s like to not be able to make ends meet despite working multiple jobs – it shouldn’t be this way. We need to make groceries, housing, and health care more affordable.” New Mexicans are struggling to make ends meet – they are doing everything right and still can’t get by. Deb knows this firsthand – she relied on benefits like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid and moved forward after starting her own business selling salsa. New Mexicans need higher wages and low...
Priority 3
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Equity and Opportunity in NM Schools: Invest in what works and ensure accountability in education, Make New Mexico the best place to be a teacher, Improve the student experience in New Mexico schools, Expand public school choice, Invest in school leadership, Keep New Mexico schools safe, Ensure equal opportunities across all races and cultures, Get New Mexico schools and teachers AI-trained.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Water is the new GOLD: New Mexico has approximately 300 square miles of surface water. In contrast, New Mexico sits atop a vast and rich reservoir of hot water and steam under the surface. The reason? We sit on top of the Rio Grande Rift, where the earth’s crust is being stretched, allowing heat from the mantel to rise closer to the surface. In some parts of the state, just below the surface, rock temperature exceeds 350 degrees, offering potential as a source of electricity and heating...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Healthcare: “Donald Trump’s policies are making New Mexicans get sicker and lose access to healthcare. The state is the first line of defense against the Administration’s dangerous policies.” Healthcare is under attack. Trump is gutting Medicaid and healthcare premiums are skyrocketing across the country. Cuts to Medicaid could mean longer drives, rural hospital closures, longer wait times to see a doctor, and more medical debt for everyone. The state stepped up to subsidize premiums...
Priority 4
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
From Childhood to Opportunity: Lowering Family Burdens and Strengthening Early Childhood Outcomes, Boost family income and cut taxes for families with children, Protect kids from harm.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Affordable Rent and Housing: State to Sell New Homes @ ZERO Down and $1500 per month Phase 1 – The plan involves selling houses at cost, with a monthly payment of $1,500 and no down payment required. This proposal is not about providing free housing, but rather about making these homes accessible at cost. The 7% interest rate reflects the return the state investment council seeks to achieve through its investments. This approach offers another avenue for the state to support residents...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Public Safety: “As Governor, I will focus every day on stopping violent crime, getting guns and drugs off our streets, and addressing the root causes of crime.” New Mexicans should feel safe and Deb knows that we have a lot of work to do to prevent and fight crime. She will work to keep violent criminals and illegal drugs off our streets and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to fight crime, while addressing the root causes of crime. She will invest in mental health...
Priority 5
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Building Hope, Building Homes: Help more families buy homes, Build housing faster and smarter, lower rents for working families, Stop speculators from driving up housing costs.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Houseless and Homeless: One major challenge facing many cities and residents is people who can't afford a home, live in rundown rental units, or are without a home. The state must take the lead in this area by providing the financial resources and expertise necessary to address the issue effectively. Our cities and counties often lack the discretionary funds needed to create facilities with the essential amenities to support individuals in these difficult circumstances...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Priority 6
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Confronting Homelessness with Compassion and Action: Tackle homelessness with urgency,
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Public Education System: Expand Vocational Education Programs In New Mexico, 45% of high school graduates do not pursue college. To address this, we should strengthen vocational education programs that focus on vital fields such as automotive repair, electrical work, plumbing, welding, and carpentry, among others. Improve High School Graduation Rates and Overall, School Participation During my tenure as mayor of Las Cruces, I initiated a program focused on promoting high school ...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Priority 7
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Opportunity for All: Opportunity for All, Create high-paying jobs in the industries of the future, Make New Mexico the best state to start and grow a business, Build real path to good jobs, Revitalize rural and tribal economies, Make culture, the outdoors, and tourism engines of growth, Lower costs and cut taxes.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Creating Good Jobs that Pay Good Wages: Creating Good Jobs that Pay Good Wages New Mexico faces a number of economic challenges. We are highly reliant on oil and gas, which causes revenue problems when prices for fossil fuels decline. We rank near the bottom in per-capita income and near the top in poverty rates. Many rural counties face population losses, lack of economic opportunity and suffer from lack of high-speed internet, investment in transportation and irrigation. The tax and ...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Priority 8
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
A lasting legacy: A conservation plan for New Mexico, Expand outdoor access and conserve public lands, Conserve water and protect communities from drought, Protect water quality and expand water supply, Keep communities safe from wildfires, Protecting wildlife and the outdoor economy, Protect environmental justice and community safety.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Medicaid: The state allocates nearly $1 billion for Medicaid. With the potential cuts proposed by the Federal Government, we must prepare for the possibility of these subsidies being reduced or eliminated. I have examined various expenditures within the state budget and identified opportunities to significantly cut costs through one-time investments in different types of machinery. Additionally, thanks to advancements in technology, 60-70% of surgeries can now be conducted at Ambulatory...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Priority 9
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Powering New Mexico's Future: Modernize the grid and transmission, Make New Mexico the energy capital of the future- lowering energy costs, creating jobs, and growing the economy, Make oil and gas work for New Mexico's future-pragmatism not ideology, Lower costs for families and businesses, Invest in workers ad communities.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Protecting a Woman’s Right to Choose: Government should never insert itself between a woman and her doctor. I will sign no law or support any rule the impedes a woman’s right to choose.
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Priority 10
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
Serving Those Who Served: The Veterans web, Education, Employment, Business, Making the web work, Leverage VA investments.
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Health and Wellness: Diabetes, Childhood Obesity and Alcohol-related death, New Mexico, unfortunately, has a higher prevalence of diabetes and childhood obesity than many other states, along with one of the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths in the nation. It is imperative that we significantly address these issues. In 2008, Governor Richardson tasked me with establishing a program aimed at reducing childhood obesity, which I implemented in our elementary schools until the onset ...
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 1
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I'll treat infrastructure like the economic priority it is. Ignoring our roads costs New Mexicans billions fixing them saves money and lives." @Bregmanfornm, January 16, 2026
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"Government forms should be written in simple, clear language so everyone can understand them. There should be a single online portal where people can easily access all available benefits. Agencies need to be..." @MayorKenLC, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 2
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I’ll treat addiction like the public health crisis it is with expanded treatment, proven prevention, and policies that actually save lives." @Bregmanfornm, January 16, 2026
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"If you work full-time in New Mexico, you should be able to afford housing." (Followed by specifics including: state matches up to $20,000 for first-time buyers who live and work in NM for over ...) @MayorKenLC , January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 3
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I'd reform state loan programs so rural builders can compete, communities can grow, and working families can stay." @Bregmanfornm, January 14, 2026
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"We want young people to stay here, not leave because of debt." (Followed by: up to $1,000/year loan repayment credit; fast-track forgiveness for teachers/nurses/first responders; expand paid apprenticeships;...) @MayorKenLC, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 4
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I’ll protect evidence-based medicine and keep New Mexico families safe." @Bregmanfornm, January 6, 2026 (in context of vaccines/science-based policy)
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"You shouldn’t need a second job just to survive." (Followed by: no state income tax on first $33,000 earned for workers under 33; low-cost health plans for job transitions; immediate monthly childcare credits.) @MayorKenLC, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 5
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I’ll work every day to deliver on all four [crime, healthcare, education, opportunity]." @Bregmanfornm, January 6, 2026
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"The future economy should thrive in New Mexico for our young adults." (Followed by: require paid internships from state-incentivized employers; tax credits/relocation stipends for remote workers under 33; ...) @MayorKenLC, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 6
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I will strengthen public health by defending evidence-based medicine, ensuring vaccine access, and rebuilding trust with transparency. Not fear." @Bregmanfornm, January 2, 2026
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
"You Can’t Get Ahead If You Can’t Get Around" (Followed by: $99 transit pass for under 33; up to $1,500 vehicle repair vouchers; rebates for electric bikes.) @MayorKenLC, January 21, 2026
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 7
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As governor, I’ll focus on making life more affordable." @Bregmanfornm, December 18, 2025
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 8
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As Governor, I’ll grow our healthcare workforce and push back on Washington’s chaos." @Bregmanfornm, December 15, 2025
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 9
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As governor, I’ll stand with doctors, not conspiracies." @Bregmanfornm, December 6, 2025 (in context of science over misinformation)
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
Promise 10
Score: / 22 Sam Bregman:
"As governor, I’ll fix that [issues for caregivers: overworked, underpaid, slow system]." @Bregmanfornm, November 20, 2025
Score: / 22 Ken Miyagishima:
Score: / 22 Deb Haaland:
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