Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull has delayed the official launch of his gubernatorial campaign, reversing his campaign’s earlier announcement that it would coincide with the one-year mark before the 2026 primary election.
Hull’s campaign said, instead, the third-term mayor is extending his statewide “listening tour” as he prepares for a formal campaign launch for Governor.
After months of rumors about a potential run, Hull announced in April that he would run for the Republican nomination for governor. When he made that announcement, Hull said he would speak publicly about his bid for the state’s highest elected office and “our vision for the Land of Enchantment” at a campaign kickoff event on June 2.
As that date came and went, Hull’s campaign said instead of launching his bid for governor, it has decided to prioritize direct engagement with voters and community leaders across the state.
A post on Hull’s campaign site said, “We’re not slowing down—we’re doubling down. Gregg Hull is on the road, meeting with New Mexicans across the state. From small towns to big cities, he’s listening to the real issues people care about. These conversations are helping shape the campaign from the ground up. We’ve decided to hold off on the official launch so we can keep the focus on building strong support, organizing, and fundraising for the road ahead.”
It is unclear where exactly that road is heading as there are no announced dates, times or locations for Hull’s “listening tour.”
Hull’s campaign did not respond to an email and Hull did not respond to a text seeking information on how New Mexicans can share their concerns and priorities with the gubernatorial hopeful.
According to Hull’s campaign, the decision to prolong the tour aims to ensure the campaign platform accurately reflects the concerns and priorities of New Mexicans in every region. Hull is crossing the state to listen to the concerns of New Mexicans rather than focusing on political timelines.
“In every town we visit, from the border to the Four Corners, voters are telling us the same thing: they’re ready for bold, new leadership – not recycled rhetoric,” said Hull. “They’ve seen what happens when ego and division rule the Roundhouse. We’re building a campaign that listens, respects individual community needs and has a winning vision for New Mexico’s future.”
Hull was elected as Rio Rancho mayor in 2014, his first foray into politics after a lengthy business career. He is the only Republican to announce a run to replace Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026.
“I’m running for Governor because I know that our state’s most pressing issues can be solved if we understand each community’s concerns, with a state government that supports local solutions,” Hull said on his campaign site. “This campaign will focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past. I have a vision for our state that doesn’t make excuses for where we are, but looks for solutions that will take us to where we want to be.”
Republicans have not won a statewide election in New Mexico since 2016, when Judith Nakamura won re-election to the state Supreme Court. Republican Susana Martinez won two terms as governor before Lujan Grisham’s time in office.
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima are all running for the Democratic nomination for governor.
The New Mexico Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Information System (CFIS), the primary resource for tracking campaign finance reports in New Mexico, shows Hull reported $206,144.00 in contributions for his run for governor as of April 14.
In their Campaign Finance Reports, Haaland had raised $2,890,540.51 and Bregman supporters had contributed $632,557.89.
The next Campaign Finance Report is due in October. The primary election is set for June 2, 2026.