Duke Rodriguez

Duke Rodriguez, a Republican candidate for New Mexico Governor in the 2026 primary, offers a diverse background. He began as a migrant field worker, eventually becoming COO of Lovelace Health System and Secretary of the Human Services Department under Gov. Gary Johnson. The 68-year-old now leads Ultra Health, New Mexico's largest cannabis company. Rodriguez's platform emphasizes making New Mexico the top oil and gas producer nationally, proposing an energy secretary in the southeast focused on infrastructure and refinery partnerships. He also prioritizes improving the state's healthcare system and physician shortage, aiming to be a "health care governor." Rodriguez self-funds his campaign and faces Gregg Hull and Doug Turner on June 2, 2026.