Democratic Party of New Mexico Concludes 2026 Pre-Primary Convention in Ruidoso; Results Pending as Voting Wraps Up

Ruidoso, NM – March 8, 2026 – The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) held its 2026 Pre-Primary Convention on Saturday, March 7, at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center in Mescalero, near Ruidoso, drawing hundreds of delegates, candidates, and supporters in a show of unity and enthusiasm for the upcoming election cycle. The event, which featured both in-person and virtual participation via Zoom, focused on designating candidates for statewide and federal offices ahead of the June 2 primary election.

The convention was called to order at 12:00 p.m. and concluded around 4:00 p.m., with delegates voting on preferred candidates, the party platform, and resolutions. As mandated by New Mexico state statute, the pre-primary convention determines which candidates advance to the primary ballot, requiring at least 20% of delegate votes to qualify without additional signatures. Voting was conducted electronically, starting after adjournment on Saturday and continuing until 9:00 p.m. Sunday, allowing broader participation.

DPNM Chairwoman Sara Attleson oversaw the proceedings, earning praise from attendees for organizing a successful event. State Representative Joy Garratt (NM-HD29), participating virtually, highlighted the convention’s smooth execution in an Instagram post: “The pre-primary Democratic Party convention for the state of New Mexico has arrived! Thank you to all the candidates who are putting themselves out there to serve the people of our great state. Thank you to all the delegates who are participating… Thank you, State party chair Sara Attleson and all the members of your staff who have spent so much time putting together this successful event.”

Key highlights included speeches and presentations from candidates vying for nomination, emphasizing issues like healthcare, economic development, education, and environmental protection. The choice of venue at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, was noted as a gesture of support for the local community and tribal partners, especially in a region recovering from past fires and floods.

As of this evening, with voting having just closed at 9:00 p.m., official results have not yet been released. The DPNM has stated that outcomes will be announced after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9. However, early indications of strong support emerged from some candidates. Incumbent U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján shared his gratitude on Instagram: “Thank you, New Mexico Democrats! I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep fighting for our home and our values. I hope I can earn your support.”

The following candidates were listed as pending qualifiers on the DPNM and Secretary of State’s websites for key races:

• United States Senator: Ben Ray Luján (incumbent), Matt Dodson.

• United States Representative District 1: Melanie Ann Stansbury (incumbent).

• United States Representative District 2: Gabriel Vasquez (incumbent).

• United States Representative District 3: Teresa Leger Fernandez (incumbent).

• Governor: Deb Haaland, Sam Bregman.

• Lieutenant Governor: Harold James Pope, Jr., Maggie Toulouse Oliver.

• Secretary of State: Amanda López Askin, Sonya Lee Smith, Katharine E. Clark.

• Attorney General: Raul Torrez (incumbent).

• State Auditor: Joseph M. Maestas (incumbent).

• State Treasurer: Laura M. Montoya (incumbent).

• Commissioner of Public Lands: Juan De Jesus Sanchez, III, Matthew McQueen, Jonas Moya.

• Judge of the Court of Appeals: Kris Houghton.

The convention underscored Democratic priorities for the 2026 cycle, with a focus on unity and mobilizing voters to address state challenges. As results are tabulated, the party aims to present a strong, cohesive slate for the primary and November general election. Voters are encouraged to follow updates on the DPNM website and AlamogordoTownNews.org for the final tallies.

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