New Mexico’s 2026 General Election is right around the corner, with early voting beginning October 6th and General Election Day on November 3rd
As voters prepare to head to the polls or mail their ballots, Animal Protection Voters is excited to endorse the following animal-friendly candidates:
| CONGRESS | |
| U.S. HOUSE RACES | |
| District 1 | Melanie Stansbury (D) |
| District 2 | Gabe Vasquez (D) |
| District 3 | Teresa Leger Fernández (D) |
| U.S. SENATE RACES | |
| Ben Ray Luján (D) | |
| STATEWIDE RACES | |
| Office | Candidate |
| Governor | Deb Haaland (D) |
| Lieutenant Governor | Stephanie Garcia Richard (D) |
| Attorney General | Raúl Torrez (D) |
| Commissioner of Public Lands | No Endorsed Candidate |
| 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 RACES | |
| District | Candidate |
| HD 2 | P. Mark Duncan (R) |
| HD 3 | William Hall, II (R) |
| HD 5 | Wonda Johnson (D) |
| HD 6 | Martha Garcia (D) |
| HD 8 | Katherine Gauer (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 (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 27 | Abby Foster (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 39 | Raul Turrieta (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) |
Download our printable voter guide here
You likely recognize how important it is to elect humane Governors, members of Congress, and State Representatives who will champion laws that protect animals. But did you know that other elected offices can also play a powerful role in shaping animal protection in our state? Here’s how:
- The Lieutenant Governor presides over the New Mexico Senate while the legislature is in session, helping maintain order and ensuring legislative processes run smoothly. Beyond this formal role, the office also facilitates communication between the Governor’s office and constituents.
- The New Mexico Attorney General serves as the state’s chief legal officer and plays an important role in enforcing laws that protect animals from cruelty and neglect. The Attorney General can investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases, making this office an important partner in ensuring that those who harm animals are held accountable.
- The Secretary of State is tasked with ensuring free and fair elections that accurately reflect the will of voters. The office also oversees the veto referendum process, which has come into play in the past when laws protecting animals from cruelty were challenged with a veto referendum petition.
- You’ll also note we’ve endorsed candidates running for County Sheriff in four out of New Mexico’s thirty-three counties. These candidates distinguished themselves by recognizing the vital role law enforcement plays in ensuring the safety of animals, people, and their communities.
We wish the best of luck to all APV endorsed candidates!
Important Dates for Voters
Make your plan to vote, and take note of the following important dates:
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026: First day that absentee ballots are mailed AND first day of early voting at County Clerk’s offices
- Saturday, October 17, 2026: First day of expanded early voting at multiple locations
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Last day to request an absentee ballot
- Saturday, October 31, 2026: Last day for early voting
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election Day! Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Visit NMVote.gov if you need to:
- Register to vote OR update your registration
- View your voter registration info, including voting locations and sample ballot
- Request an absentee ballot in the mail
- And more!
At Animal Protection Voters, we believe voters and elected officials are key to making a positive difference for animals, and we work hard to ensure constituents are informed about which candidates—running for office at all levels of government—are best positioned to champion animal protection policies. Animal Protection Voters issues endorsements to candidates based on their experience, voting records, and/or positions on animal protection issues revealed in questionnaire responses. Endorsements are not based on party affiliation.
Thank you for voting your humane values. We will see you at the polls!
