



Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Current roleCannabis industry executive
PartyRepublican
LocationNew Mexico
BackgroundCannabis industry executive
Notable personal detailsDuke Rodriguez is a Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico in the 2026 election cycle. He is the president and CEO of Ultra Health, a medical cannabis company, and previously served as secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department under Gov. Gary Johnson. He has also worked as a senior executive at Lovelace Health System.
The candidate supports reducing government waste and redirecting existing resources rather than raising taxes, and emphasizes free-enterprise and pro-business economic approaches. He proposes fixes to pensions, infrastructure investment, and affordability measures while promoting budget discipline and ‘truth-in-budgeting.’
Supports a state-level guaranteed healthcare proposal for New Mexicans and prioritizes expanding access by recruiting providers, reducing bureaucracy, consolidating systems, and cutting waste; emphasizes strengthening healthcare access and reforming Medicaid/health systems. Proposes measures intended to increase provider supply and improve rural access without raising taxes.
The candidate has not published a clear, comprehensive policy on abortion access. He has said the state should not build abortion clinics and instead focus on primary care clinics, but has not articulated positions on bans, gestational limits, or codifying Roe v. Wade.
Supports protecting existing energy jobs while promoting "next‑gen" energy development and emphasizes keeping utilities and fuel affordable. Policy language focuses on workforce and affordability rather than aggressive emissions targets or international climate agreements.
The candidate emphasizes public safety through law enforcement and tougher penalties for repeat offenders, prioritizing enforcement to reduce crime. Campaign materials frame his approach as strengthening enforcement rather than proposing new gun restrictions.
Duke Rodriguez is still in the running for New Mexico governor after a judge dismissed a lawsuit from a GOP rival that challenged his eligibility over residency, leaving him on the June primary ballot. He also secured a spot on the primary ballot at the New Mexico Republican Party’s pre-primary convention, alongside other Republican contenders. Rodriguez has been publicly campaigning as well, appearing at a forum where multiple Republican and Democratic candidates laid out their plans for the state.


Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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