NEW MEXICO — Deb Haaland, the Democratic nominee for New Mexico governor, formally endorsed Stephanie Garcia Richard for lieutenant governor on June 26, 2026. This endorsement follows Maggie Toulouse Oliver's withdrawal from the lieutenant governor race, citing health reasons.

Haaland announced five finalists for the lieutenant governor nomination: Garcia Richard, Harold Pope, state senator Leo Jaramillo, attorney Antonia Roybal-Mack, and Sonya Smith, a former Department of Veterans Services cabinet secretary. The Democratic Party of New Mexico State Central Committee is scheduled to meet on July 25 to vote on a replacement for the lieutenant governor nominee.

Garcia Richard currently serves as New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands. She had previously withdrawn from the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in October, citing her husband's health, but later stated that his health had since greatly improved. Roybal-Mack issued a written statement, saying, "It was a whirlwind of a week and tonight I go back to supporting fire victims in Jemez."

In a letter to State Central Committee members, Haaland wrote, "While I was advancing our clean energy economy across the country, Stephanie was leading the same fight here at home." Haaland added, "She has grown critical state funding for education, overseen job creation in our energy economy, and implemented policies that protect our air, land and water." She also stated, "Her roots stretch across New Mexico, from growing up in Southern New Mexico to raising her family in Northern New Mexico, giving her a deep understanding of the people, communities, and diversity that define our state."

Haaland stated in a video, "Garcia Richard sees the lieutenant governor's office as an opportunity to build partnerships, solve problems and help deliver on the promises we've made to New Mexicans." In the same video, Haaland said, "The stakes of this race couldn't be higher because of who is in the White House." Garcia Richard posted on social media, "I will be working diligently to gain the trust of the State Central Committee as we move forward in building the 2026 ticket for New Mexico." Haaland will run against Republican Gregg Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho, in the November 3 general election for governor.