Staff Reports
After winning the Democratic nomination to be New Mexico’s next lieutenant governor in a landslide primary election June 2, incumbent Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced she was dropping out of the race in a June 18 statement.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, but a necessary one,” she wrote on Facebook. “Recent changes to my health have caused my family and I to reflect on my commitments at home and to the people of our state—both of which I take extraordinarily seriously. Suspending my campaign will allow me to focus on my family while ensuring I can continue to fulfill my duties as Secretary of State.”
Toulouse Oliver, who has served as New Mexico’s Secretary of State since 2016, emphasized her commitment to fulfilling her term, which ends Jan. 1.
In statements to multiple news outlets, Democratic Party of New Mexico confirmed that the party’s State Central Commitee will select a replacement for Toulouse Oliver on the ticket.
The replacement process will involve 500 members of the Democratic State Central Commitee, shifting the campaign from a statewide voter base to an internal party vote.
Sen. Harold Pope Jr., who finished second to Toulouse Oliver in the primary, told KOAT he intends to seek his party’s support for the job.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland shared a message of support for Toulouse Oliver on Facebook.
“It is a courageous decision to run for office, and it’s a decision all New Mexicans understand when you must step back to prioritize your family and health,” she said. “Thank you to Maggie for your exceptional, longstanding work for New Mexico, your friendship, and your courage.”
Meanwhile, the New Mexico Republican Party criticized the Democratic Party’s process for selecting a replacement, comparing it to the 2024 presidential election when Joe Biden was replaced by Kamala Harris after the primary.
“This election should not be about political insiders deciding outcomes behind closed doors,” the party wrote in a statement. “It is also reasonable to ask whether this possibility was anticipated months ago and whether Democratic leadership had already begun discussions about a replacement strategy.”
Whoever Democrats choose as Toulouse Oliver’s replacement will face Republican candidates Gregg Hull, former Rio Rancho mayor, and state Sen. David Gallegos in the Nov. 3 general election.
