Correction bolded: RPNM's "Governor First" Strategy Is Killing Our Republican Candidates and Our State

RPNM Keeps Running One Campaign While Losing the State

Every four years, and 2026 is no different, the Republican Party of New Mexico announces that the Governor's race is "the most important race" of the election cycle. The statement was repeated again during the 2024 RPNM Chair-Elect campaign speech to the RPNM SCC meeting.

But what exactly is the party saying to Republicans, candidates, donors, volunteers, and independent voters?

If the Governor's race is the "most important race" in 2026 — just as it supposedly was in 2018 and 2022 — then what does that imply about every other race on the ballot? Are the U.S. Senate and Congressional races merely loss leaders for the Governor's race? Are the New Mexico Senate and House races simply there to fill out the ticket?

Whether intentional or not, this messaging weakens Republican candidates across the board.

Every candidate must spend countless hours "dialing for dollars," calling family, friends, business associates, and political contributors.

One of the most important parts of fundraising is convincing donors why a race matters — to the future of the state and the country.

But before candidates even make the call, the RPNM has already framed the conversation: the Governor's race matters most, and the other races matter less.

That makes fundraising harder.

The same problem exists with independent voters. Republicans constantly argue that elections are critical to the future of New Mexico and the nation. Yet the RPNM's own messaging suggests that only one race truly matters. Meanwhile, Democrats communicate that every office is important, from the courthouse to Congress.

If you were an independent voter, which party would appear more serious about governing? The party that treats non-governor races as secondary, or the party that acts as though every office matters?

The damage extends to volunteers as well. Volunteers want to work on campaigns where they believe their efforts will make a difference. The RPNM's messaging tells them that the Governor's race is where the real impact is made. Recruiting volunteers is already difficult; this messaging makes it even harder for legislative, congressional, and local candidates to build campaigns.

But are these other races truly unimportant?

Every day, conservative pundits count Republican seats in the U.S. Senate and House, calculating how many can be lost before Democrats regain control. Republicans in New Mexico say they support President Trump and conservative policies, yet the RPNM currently has no U.S. Senate candidate while boasting multiple strong gubernatorial candidates.

That contradiction matters.

The contradiction becomes even more obvious during legislative sessions. Conservative activists routinely urge Republicans to contact Democratic legislators about critical votes involving taxes, crime, education, healthcare, energy, and parental rights. If legislative seats are critical while the Legislature is in session, then why are those same seats suddenly less important during election season?

The reality is simple: Republicans can make a difference in federal, state, and local races.

Unfortunately, RPNM leadership has increasingly abandoned its responsibility to lead and support all New Mexico Republicans. That leadership vacuum must now be filled elsewhere.

County Republican organizations need to step into that void. County leaders should advocate not only for local candidates, but also for competitive federal and statewide candidates across New Mexico.

Ward chairs can make a difference as well. RPBC Ward 31, under Chair Ray Barnes, raised more money for candidates than some Republican County organizations. Ward 31 also created opportunities for candidates from across the state and city to meet voters directly.

Our Republican legislators are equally important. State senators and representatives provide an example to future candidates by demonstrating that ordinary citizens can step forward and serve. I remember Representative Jimmy Hall hosting events in local parks where federal, state, and local candidates could meet constituents and speak directly to voters. He embodied the ideal of the citizen-statesman, and he inspired others to get involved.

That spirit of engagement matters.

When I ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018, my involvement did not begin and end with my own campaign. I walked the halls of the New Mexico Legislature and the U.S. Congress, advocating for policies to improve the lives of hardworking New Mexicans. I donated to candidates, later raised money through my political action committee to support candidates statewide, and used my radio and television programs on KIVA, Proview, and KKOB to interview state and local candidates and give them exposure. Some of those efforts succeeded, and some did not.

What mattered was supporting individuals who could improve New Mexico regardless of the republican faction they identified with. A healthy political party does not build itself around one race every four years or a republican faction. It builds a bench. It develops leaders. It supports candidates at every level. And it communicates to voters that every office matters.

Until the RPNM Leadership understands that they represent all Republicans in New Mexico and all Republican Candidates. Republicans will continue losing.