ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich confirmed Friday he is ruling out a 2026 gubernatorial run in New Mexico.
“After careful consideration and many conversations with my family, constituents, and colleagues, I’ve decided to remain in the United States Senate. It’s clear to me that New Mexico needs a strong voice in Washington now more than ever — the stakes are simply too high,” Heinrich said in a statement issued Friday.
Heinrich said he realized staying in the U.S. Senate would be best. He touted his achievements, including action on infrastructure, health care and public safety, and said he has more work to do.
“President Trump’s alarming actions this week — attacking birthright citizenship, pardoning criminals that assaulted police officers and rolling back American energy leadership — hurt families, endanger our democracy and threaten the future of our public lands and natural resources. From fighting back against these harmful policies to defending the progress we’ve made lowering costs for working families, growing our economy, and keeping our communities safe, the Senate is where I believe I can have the most impact,” Heinrich said.
New Mexico voters elected Heinrich to a third U.S. Senate term in the November 2024 election, dealing defeat to Republican challenger Nella Domenici. In December, Heinrich was named a ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham is currently in her second consecutive term as governor of New Mexico. The New Mexico State Constitution specifies someone may be elected governor any number of times but no more than twice in a row. That makes Lujan Grisham ineligible to run for governor in 2026 but eligible in 2030.
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