SANTA FE, N.M. — State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard won a special election held Thursday by the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s State Central Committee, securing the party’s nomination for lieutenant governor and joining Deb Haaland atop the Democratic ticket ahead of the November general election.

Garcia Richard replaces Maggie Toulouse Oliver on the ballot. The committee’s selection followed a competitive race against state Sen. Harold Pope, whom Garcia Richard thanked afterward for what she called a spirited campaign and for his ongoing service to New Mexicans.

Garcia Richard, a former public school teacher, served in the New Mexico House of Representatives before her election as Commissioner of Public Lands, a role she has held for two terms. In the House, she worked on legislation that helped establish the state’s universal childcare program. As land commissioner, her office reports generating more than $15 billion in state funding for public education, along with job growth tied to clean energy development and a series of environmental protections for the state’s air, land and water.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to earn the trust of the DPNM State Central Committee and to join Deb Haaland on this ticket,” Garcia Richard said in a statement. “New Mexicans work incredibly hard, and they deserve a government that works just as hard for them. From my time in the classroom to the State House and the State Land Office, I have never stopped fighting for our communities. Deb and I share a vision for a New Mexico where we lower costs, increase access to healthcare, build safer communities, and provide a world-class public education for every child.”

With the ticket now finalized, the Haaland-Garcia Richard campaign is turning its attention to the general election. Garcia Richard framed the contest as a choice between competing visions for the state’s direction.

“The stakes this November could not be higher,” Garcia Richard said. “While our Republican opponents want to drag our state backward with extreme, out-of-touch policies that will hurt working families and drive up costs, Deb Haaland and I are looking toward a brighter future. Our message is clear: we are helping kids read earlier and bringing trades back to schools in a big way, creating more affordable and accessible healthcare, getting illegal drugs off our streets, and making life more affordable with tax breaks to working people, universal childcare, and cheaper housing costs. We are ready to take our message to every corner of New Mexico and build a winning coalition that will deliver on our promises to the people.”

Locally in Otero County the local Democratic Party via acting chair Joy Bordenave said, ” we are thrilled the selection process is now completed and we can move forward with getting both Deb and Stephanie elected via this historic ticket. Locally, we will be working hard to get out the vote for these candidates as well as those Democats and Independents up and down the ballot.” 

The Haaland-Garcia Richard ticket will face its Republican opponents Gregg Hull (for governor) and David Gallegos (for lieutenant governor) on the November ballot.

More News from Alamogordo

• Judge Hears Full Day of Testimony in Burnett Recall Case; Ruling Expected Friday Payne, Robinson, Hernandez called to stand; Burnett tells court he has no legal duty to respond to constituents
• Tularosa Village Board Reverses Cell Tower Approval Over Notice Failures; Adopts Budget, Road Grants, Police Promotion Cell tower reversal due to inadequate notice and possible setback issues