State party committee chooses land commissioner as Deb Haaland’s running mate following nominee’s withdrawal
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard will join Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland on the November ballot after winning a special election conducted by the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s State Central Committee.
Garcia Richard received 255 votes, or approximately 53% of first-choice ballots, defeating state Sen. Harold Pope Jr., who received 218 votes, or about 46%. Toni Pinedo received three votes and Geoffrey Luehring received one.
Because Garcia Richard received a majority of first-choice votes, the party did not need to conduct additional rounds under its ranked-choice voting process.
The vote was conducted electronically following a July 25 meeting of the State Central Committee and closed July 29. According to the party, approximately 97% of eligible committee members participated.
Garcia Richard’s selection fills a vacancy created when Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her campaign for lieutenant governor in June, citing health concerns.
Toulouse Oliver had won the June 2 Democratic primary with approximately 80% of the vote, defeating Pope. Her withdrawal more than 90 days before the general election triggered a provision of state law allowing the political party’s central committee to select a replacement nominee.
That meant the replacement was chosen by party committee members rather than through another statewide primary election.
Garcia Richard’s name was submitted to the New Mexico Secretary of State following the committee vote, finalizing the Democratic ticket ahead of the November general election.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to earn the trust of the DPNM State Central Committee and to join Deb Haaland on this ticket,” Garcia Richard said in a campaign statement.
She said the ticket would focus on lowering costs, improving access to health care, strengthening public safety and expanding educational opportunities.
Garcia Richard is serving her second term as New Mexico commissioner of public lands. She was first elected to the statewide office in 2018 and became the first woman and first Latina to hold the position.
Before becoming land commissioner, Garcia Richard worked as a public school teacher and served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she chaired the House Education Committee.
The State Land Office manages approximately 9 million acres of surface land and 13 million acres of mineral interests held in trust for public schools, universities, hospitals and other public institutions.
Garcia Richard’s campaign said the State Land Office has generated more than $15 billion for public beneficiaries during her tenure. Campaign materials have also emphasized the expansion of renewable energy projects on state trust lands and her opposition to increased oil and gas development near Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Those figures and policy characterizations were presented by Garcia Richard’s campaign and allied Democratic organizations.
Haaland endorsed Garcia Richard before the committee vote, describing her as an experienced statewide candidate with a background in education, state government and land management.
“I respect the role the SCC plays in this selection, and I hope I can count on the support of committee members for Stephanie,” Haaland said when announcing the endorsement.
Pope, an Albuquerque Democrat and Air Force veteran, had argued that his legislative experience and previous run for lieutenant governor made him prepared to join the ticket. Garcia Richard thanked Pope following the election for what she described as a spirited campaign and for his continued public service.
Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Sara Attleson said Garcia Richard’s experience in the classroom, Legislature and State Land Office would make her a strong addition to the ticket.
The selection also restores an all-female Democratic ticket after Toulouse Oliver’s withdrawal temporarily disrupted that possibility.
Haaland and Garcia Richard will face Republican gubernatorial nominee Gregg Hull, a former Rio Rancho mayor, and Republican lieutenant governor nominee state Sen. David Gallegos in the November general election.
Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima is also running for governor as an independent candidate.
Republicans criticized the replacement process after Toulouse Oliver withdrew, arguing that Democratic primary voters would not directly choose the substitute nominee. The process, however, was carried out under state law and Democratic Party rules governing vacancies that occur after a primary election.
With the vacancy filled, the Democratic campaign is expected to focus on affordability, housing, education, health care and public safety. Republicans are expected to challenge Democrats on crime, economic conditions, energy policy and the state’s performance under eight years of Democratic control of the governor’s office.
Garcia Richard was in Grants most recently on June 18 where she celebrated the state’s progress at cleaning up abandoned uranium mines. The event was hosted at the New Mexico Mining Museum and brought together multiple private companies and state officials to celebrate the cleanup.
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.