Animal-Friendly Candidates Win in the 2026 Primary Election
The June 2nd Primary Election results are in—and we’re excited to announce 91% of the 65 candidates that earned APV endorsements will now move on to the General Election! And while the Primary Election didn’t turn out as we had hoped in every single contest, the collective wins demonstrate voters’ preference for animal-friendly candidates and give cause for celebration. The below candidates will now be on the General Election ballot in November:
| U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RACES | |
| U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | |
| District CD 1 | Melanie Stansbury (D) |
| District CD 2 | Gabe Vasquez (D) |
| District CD 3 | Teresa Leger Fernández (D) |
| U.S. SENATE | |
| Ben Ray Luján (D) | |
| NEW MEXICO STATEWIDE RACES | |
| Office | Candidate |
| Governor | Deb Haaland (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D) |
| Secretary of State | Amanda López Askin (D) |
| SHERIFF RACES | |
| County | Candidate |
| Bernalillo | John D. Allen (D) |
| Doña Ana | Vanessa Ordoñez (D) |
| Santa Fe | Paul Michael Joye (D) |
| Taos | Steve Miera, Jr. (D) |
| NEW MEXICO STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES | |
| District | Candidate |
| HD 2 | P. Mark Duncan (R) |
| HD 3 | William Hall, II (R) |
| HD 4 | Joseph Franklin Hernandez (D) |
| HD 5 | Wonda Johnson (D) |
| HD 6 | Martha Garcia (D) |
| HD 9 | Patricia Lundstrom (D) |
| HD 10 | G. Andrés Romero (D) |
| HD 11 | Javier Martínez (D) |
| HD 12 | Art De La Cruz (D) |
| HD 13 | Patricia Roybal Caballero (D) |
| HD 14 | Miguel P. Garcia (D) |
| HD 15 | Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D) |
| HD 16 | Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela (D) |
| HD 17 | Cynthia Borrego (D) |
| HD 18 | Marianna Anaya (D) |
| HD 19 | Janelle Anyanonu (D) |
| HD 20 | Meredith A Dixon (D) |
| HD 21 | Debra M. Sariñana (D) |
| HD 24 | Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D) |
| HD 25 | Cristina Parajón (D) |
| HD 26 | Eleanor Chávez (D) |
| HD 28 | Pamelya Herndon (D) |
| HD 29 | Joy Garratt (D) |
| HD 30 | Diane Torres-Velasquez (D) |
| HD 31 | Nicole Chavez (R) |
| HD 33 | Micaela Lara Cadena (D) |
| HD 34 | Raymundo Lara (D) |
| HD 35 | Angelica Rubio (D) |
| HD 36 | Nathan Small (D) |
| HD 37 | Lori A. Martinez (D) |
| HD 40 | Joseph Sanchez (D) |
| HD 41 | Yolanda Jaramillo (D) |
| HD 42 | Kristina Ortez (D) |
| HD 43 | Christine Chandler (D) |
| HD 44 | Kathleen M. Cates (D) |
| HD 45 | Linda Serrato (D) |
| HD 46 | Andrea Romero (D) |
| HD 47 | Reena Szcezpanski (D) |
| HD 48 | Tara Lujan (D) |
| HD 50 | Sarah Boses (D) |
| HD 52 | Doreen Gallegos (D) |
| HD 53 | Sarah Silva (D) |
| HD 60 | Joshua Hernandez (R) |
| HD 64 | Andrea Reeb (R) |
| HD 65 | Derrick Lente (D) |
| HD 68 | Charlotte Little (D) |
| HD 69 | Michelle Paulene Abeyta (D) |
| HD 70 | Anita Gonzales (D) |
A word about the race to lead the State Land Office: while we are disappointed the APV-endorsed candidate for Land Commissioner did not prevail in the Primary, we look forward to building a constructive relationship with the candidate that ultimately succeeds in this race. Our hope is to help guide the State Land Office in developing balanced policies that safeguard wildlife and vital habitat situated on public land.
For a complete listing of all 2026 Primary Election race results, go here.
The Fight to Elect Humane Policy Makers in the 2026 General Election Is Still Ahead….Help Us Continue Winning for the Animals.
As you know, the Primary is just the first hurdle candidates must cross, and Primary race winners will now square off against opponents in the General Election on November 3, 2026. Stay with us as we continue supporting pro-animal candidates by attending campaign events, following endorsed candidates on social media, and most importantly: voting for them in the General!
If you’d like to help us prepare for the General Election, please consider making a gift today to the Animal Protection Voters PAC or—better yet—become a monthly donor. Your support helps ensure APV can continue changing the laws that change lives for all of New Mexico’s animals.
