Animal Protection Voters (APV) is proud to endorse Stephanie Garcia Richard for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico in the 2026 election.
Having had the pleasure of working with Stephanie Garcia Richard over the last decade to strengthen pro-animal policies across the state, APV is excited to see what this next chapter holds for her.
As many people who keep tabs on election news know, things can change quickly. The race for New Mexico’s next Lieutenant Governor is no exception.
As readers may recall, Garcia Richard was the first Democratic candidate to declare her campaign for Lieutenant Governor in the spring of 2025. APV has had the privilege of working alongside Garcia Richard throughout her public service, first during her time in the New Mexico House of Representatives (2013–2019), and more recently as Land Commissioner (2019–2026). Given her wonderful pro-animal track record, we were excited to support her candidacy when she first entered the race.
However, in October 2025, Garcia Richard suspended her campaign after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Several other candidates went forward and were placed on the Primary Election ballot, and Maggie Toulouse Oliver won the Democratic primary with an overwhelming 80% of the vote.
APV endorsed Maggie Toulouse Oliver (who currently serves as New Mexico Secretary of State) in that race for Lieutenant Governor. We were deeply saddened when she announced on June 18th her withdrawal from the race due to changes in her health, and we wish her the very best.
After the news of Toulouse Oliver’s withdrawal broke, many voices from around the state rallied behind Garcia Richard, asking her to step back into the race. The following week, Garcia Richard publicly shared that her husband’s health had significantly improved, allowing her to once again seek the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, to replace Toulouse Oliver.
Stephanie Garcia Richard has demonstrated that protecting animals and wildlife has been a priority of hers throughout her public service.
During her time in the legislature and in her role as Land Commissioner, she has repeatedly championed policies that would help to advance the protection of New Mexico’s wildlife and promote the humane treatment of all animals.
As a State Representative, Garcia Richard earned a 100% lifetime score in the APV legislative Scorecard based on her positive votes and sponsorship of animal protection bills. For example, in 2017, she sponsored legislation that would have prevented the unnecessary killing of black bears and other wildlife by state agencies. She also voted to ban cruel coyote-killing contests across New Mexico.
As Land Commissioner, Garcia Richard continued her commitment to protecting wildlife. Within days of taking office in 2019, she signed an executive order prohibiting wildlife killing contests on state trust lands. She also actively supported legislation to end trapping on public lands, helping secure the passage of the Wildlife Conservation and Public Safety Act, widely referred to as Roxy’s Law, in 2021.
In the earlier part of Garcia Richard’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor, APV had the honor of meeting with her directly to discuss the long and challenging road ahead for New Mexico’s animals—including legislative priorities that will strengthen protections and build vital infrastructure for animals in our communities. Garcia Richard told us she was ready and excited to champion this cause.
You may be asking yourself, “What’s next?”
Unlike the recent June Primary Election, where voters were able to cast their vote to select which candidates would face each other in the November General Election for the next Lieutenant Governor, the Democratic Party of New Mexico will now be using its established process for selecting a replacement candidate after the primary election has already taken place.
The DPNM’s State Central Committee (SCC) will select the Party’s nominee for the November 4, 2026 General Election ballot. The SCC consists of approximately 500 members from across the state and is scheduled to meet on July 25, 2026, to vote and choose the Democratic nominee.
APV is confident that Stephanie Garcia Richard will continue to be a strong advocate for animals as New Mexico’s next Lieutenant Governor.
