Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman announces campaign for New Mexico governor

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Kicking off his gubernatorial campaign in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Democratic primary, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman lashed what he called "the excesses and chaos" of U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as what he referred to as "radical left-wing elitism" in his own party.

Known for his push for tough-on-crime policies, Bregman pitched his campaign in the 2026 governor's race as a "common-sense," moderate approach, harkening back to a Democratic Party of the past that stood for its base of working-class voters.

His bid pits him against former Congresswoman and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, who announced this week she has raised about $3 million since launching her campaign two months ago.

But Bregman said he isn't concerned about the initial wealth gap his campaign faces. "I'm a tested fundraiser, if you will, and I think I'm very capable and my message will resonate with people in New Mexico," he said.

He delivered the first speech of his campaign to a crowd of a few hundred people Thursday evening in the historic plaza of Las Vegas, a longtime Democratic stronghold, in an event that included a performance by popular local musician Gonzalo.

Bregman said he chose the city for his announcement partly because he considers it "the heart of the Democratic Party" in Northern New Mexico.

"There's a lot of Democrats who sat on the sidelines recently because they didn't like what they saw in the Democratic Party," Bregman said in an interview Thursday. "There's a lot of Democrats who not [only] sat on the sidelines, but actually voted for the other guy. We need to bring them back to the fold — that's why I'm here."

An attorney with a 30-year career, Bregman was appointed district attorney in the state's most populous county by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2023 and was elected to the position in 2024. He has been an Albuquerque city councilor and New Mexico Democratic Party chair. He is also the father of Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman.

Haaland, who made history as the first Native American to serve in a federal Cabinet post and would make history as the nation's first Native woman to serve as governor if she wins, also has been the state party chair.

On her campaign website, she touts endorsements from four-fifths of New Mexico's Democratic congressional delegation and dozens of other public officials from all levels of government.

Bregman and Haaland are so far the only candidates to publicly announce campaigns for governor. Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich ruled himself out of the governor’s race earlier this year, and no Republican candidates have initiated a run.