Deb Haaland Leads Democratic Primary for New Mexico Governor, Poll Shows

An Emerson College Polling/KRQE News 13 survey of 1,000 likely primary voters (April 18-19, 2026) shows former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland leading the June 2 Democratic primary for New Mexico governor with 40 % support, compared with 24 % for Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman; 36 % remain undecided. Haaland’s advantage is strongest among women (42 % vs 18 %) and college-educated voters (53 % vs 23 %). Men favor her by 7 points (38 % to 31 %). Independent voters who entered the Democratic primary prefer Bregman (28 % to 17 %).

Emerson College PollingSource New MexicoThe Hill

Haaland, a former Democratic lawmaker and Biden interior secretary, entered the race to replace term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. All three New Mexico congressional members and Sen. Ben Ray Luján have endorsed her, and the Cook Political Report rates the open governorship as “likely Democratic.” In the Republican primary, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull leads with 21 % while 61 % of GOP voters remain undecided.

The Hill

Health care and the economy each rank as top concerns for 23 % of respondents, followed by crime (17 %). Health care leads for Democrats (29 %) and Republicans (21 %). Half of voters feel less safe than a year ago. Regarding the Children, Youth and Families Department, 49 % disapprove of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s oversight, while 46 % support a constitutional amendment to remove the governor’s appointment power over its head.

Emerson College Polling

Campaign manager Dylan McArthur highlighted a “five-to-one cash advantage” and said the race is “over by every metric.” Poll director Spencer Kimball noted Haaland’s 24-point lead among women and 30-point edge among college-educated voters.

Source New Mexico

Independent voters in the Democratic primary favor Bregman (28 % to 17 %). Nearly half disapprove of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s CYFD management, and 46 % would back a constitutional amendment stripping the governor’s appointment authority.

Emerson College Polling

The poll’s ± 4.1 % margin of error means Haaland’s lead could be narrower, and the split between Democratic and independent voter preferences suggests uncertainty about cross-party dynamics.

The Hill

• “Deb has led in every poll by double digits and maintains a five-to-one cash advantage. By every metric, this race is over,” — Dylan McArthur, Campaign Manager, Deb Haaland campaign

Source New Mexico

• “Deb Haaland holds plurality support headed into the June Primary for Governor, driven by a 24-point advantage among women, leading Bregman 42% to 18% and a 30-point lead among voters with college degrees, leading 53% to 23%,” — Spencer Kimball, Executive Director, Emerson College Polling

Emerson College Polling

The June 2 primary will select the Democratic nominee, who is expected to win the general election. Voter attitudes toward the CYFD amendment could shape a future ballot measure, while the Republican field remains unsettled.

Source New Mexico