Democratic candidate for governor Bregman rolls out policy proposals, challenges Haaland to debates

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman challenged his opponent Deb Haaland to a series of debates Thursday as he argued he is the best choice to defend New Mexico against President Donald Trump.

Bregman, Bernalillo County's district attorney, posed the challenge during a news conference in Albuquerque where he unveiled a 189-page policy blueprint on how he would address crime, homelessness, energy, education, health care, tribal issues and child welfare. Some highlights of his proposed initiatives: hiring more police officers; implementing incentives to recruit more doctors, teachers and health care workers; encouraging the expansion of charter and magnet schools; and building at least 5,000 new homes a year.

He at times sought to contrast himself with Haaland — a former congresswoman and interior secretary who is widely perceived as the front-runner in the race, with the most endorsements and campaign funds — and with more left-leaning Democrats.

"Some people call these positions moderate and call me the moderate in the race and Deb the liberal in the race," Bregman said. "I call these positions pragmatic and call myself a commonsense Democrat."

He added, "But let's have the debate — a serious debate of policies, not platitudes. Solutions, not soundbites."

Bregman's opponents in the Democratic gubernatorial primary panned the plan, with a Haaland campaign spokesperson calling parts of it "absolute gibberish," and Ken Miyagishima questioning how Bregman would pay for everything he's promising.

Bregman criticized the Republican president and argued he is the best candidate in the primary to face Trump's attacks while still making progress on policy. He pointed to his work as a prosecutor.

Trump "has ignored the law, deprived people of their due process rights" and divided the country, he said.

"Whether we like it or not, there will be years of these attacks," Bregman said.

"This is the choice of this election — who is the strongest candidate to stand up to Trump and help New Mexicans through these uncertain and frankly dangerous times?" he added.

'Taking on … sacred cows'
Bregman argued his plans "reflect the values of the Democratic Party," but said he would be willing to stand up to Democrats who, he said, have alienated people with "language and purity tests" when the party needs everyone on board to push back against Trump.

"That may mean taking on some of the sacred cows of the activists in our party," he said.

One example Bregman spoke about at length was energy policy. He promised to be tough on polluters but noted the state gets billions of dollars from the oil and gas industry.

"Extreme proposals to shut down and restrict our access to these resources would result in draconian cuts to health care and education just when we need every dollar to offset the brutal cuts by Trump," he said.

Bregman challenged Haaland to policy debates and said his campaign would reach out to hers to attempt to set this up.

Haaland campaign manager Dylan McArthur did not answer a question about Bregman's debate challenge.

"We've begun reviewing Sam Bregman's plans, and we can already see that they are riddled with dozens of typos, repeated paragraphs, and sentences that are absolute gibberish," McArthur wrote in an email. "We are happy to be running on Deb Haaland's years-long record of accomplishment for New Mexico, instead of 200 pages of half-baked plans that no one even took the time to proofread. We look forward to continuing this conversation over the coming months."

Haaland on Thursday announced another endorsement, this one from former U.S. Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico.

“I’ve never endorsed in a gubernatorial primary before, but today, there’s too much at stake not to," Udall said in a statement. "Deb is a fighter that has the compassion, the toughness, the vision, and the experience we need to lead our state and stand up against Donald Trump."

Crowded field for governor
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, is in her second and final term. Haaland, Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Miyagishima are vying for the Democratic nomination to succeed her. The primary will be in June and the general election in November 2026.

In an email, Miyagishima highlighted Bregman's plans to provide up to $10,000 in a "Launchpad Account" for every child born in New Mexico and $200 million for homebuyer assistance. As well as costing hundreds of millions of dollars, he wrote, the initiative could run afoul of the anti-donation clause in the state constitution.

Miyagishima wrote his own approach "is focused on supporting New Mexicans without giving away funds."

"New Mexico is facing significant challenges, including a projected loss of $2.8 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, a need to find $257 million when we eliminate the gross receipts tax on medical services, and a $110 million obligation for the Rail Runner debt due in 2026," he wrote.

On the Republican side, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull has filed to run, and so far, has raised the most cash. Other Republicans who have entered the GOP primary are cannabis entrepreneur and former state Human Services Secretary Duke Rodriguez, Farmington resident and retired Marine Maj. Brian Cillessin and Las Cruces businesswoman Belinda Robertson.

'Our kids are our future'
Before Bregman spoke, he was preceded by several supporters who praised his plans, including former University of New Mexico basketball star Kenny Thomas, who went on to play in the NBA for more than a decade.

“He's very driven as far as helping our kids, which is one of the biggest concerns I have," said Thomas, who retired from playing professional basketball and has been involved in several Albuquerque-area organizations and charitable efforts focused on helping young people.

“Our kids are our future, and New Mexico needs it," Thomas said. "That's why I feel like a lot of guys in my position need to come back and do more."

Tracy Anaya, an Española native who teaches at Escalante Middle/High School in Tierra Amarilla and comes from a family of teachers, said fixing education and crime go hand in hand. She noted the frequency with which students bring guns to school.

“We should not be sending our children to school to be in fear, right?” she said. “We should be sending them to learn.”