Party affiliation: Democratic Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

New Mexicans deserve to feel safe. I will make sure law enforcement has the tools and staff needed to address violent crime and drug trafficking, while addressing the root causes of crime. I will establish a State Office of Community Safety to coordinate and deploy services to behavioral health calls so law enforcement can focus on the work they are trained to do. I will also coordinate with local departments to provide data analysis on local crime hotspots to best use limited resources. To best address crime, we must also tackle the mental/behavioral health crisis our state faces.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

We must pass the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act to provide oversight on restricted weapons and accountability to gun vendors. I will appoint a gun violence prevention coordinator to oversee a task force dedicated to stemming gun violence. We have a responsibility to keep guns out of the hands of minors — I will work to address generational gun culture by reaching out to young people who have family members convicted of gun-related crimes. My record supporting common-sense gun safety legislation in Congress is unambiguous.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

ICE has terrorized communities, murdered people in the streets and questioned Native Americans about their citizenship — and we need to hold ICE agents accountable. I will work with the Legislature to ban ICE agents from wearing masks on the job, require ICE personnel to identify their agency, restrict ICE from operating within 500 yards of schools and child care centers, state courthouses or state government buildings, churches or religious institutions, health clinics, public parks and significant cultural sites. We also need to sign a law prohibiting other states’ National Guard troops being mobilized to New Mexico without the governor’s permission.

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

We need a balanced approach: more law enforcement resources, stronger prosecution of violent offenders, and real accountability. At the same time, we must address root causes by investing in mental health treatment, addiction services and youth programs. We need to do more to prevent criminals from having guns by increasing penalties for felons in possession of firearms. I support cracking down on repeat violent offenders while expanding community-based prevention so fewer people enter the system in the first place.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

We should enforce the laws we already have and focus on keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals. As district attorney, I was proud to champion a zero-tolerance policy for guns in schools — a measure that we should expand statewide. We also need to keep guns out of the hands of our children by increasing penalties for anyone who sells a gun to a minor. I support targeted, commonsense measures that protect public safety without infringing on responsible gun ownership, including better coordination between courts and law enforcement and stronger penalties for illegal possession and trafficking.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

Public safety requires trust between communities and law enforcement. Local agencies should focus on keeping neighborhoods safe, not acting as federal immigration agents. We must ensure cooperation where appropriate for serious crimes, while protecting civil rights and ensuring families feel safe reporting crimes and working with police. No member of our society, including those in law enforcement, can violate the law. For ICE agents who violate the Fourth Amendment, they should be held accountable in the same way any other person in our country would be.

Party affiliation: Republican Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

Stop treating crime as an isolated, siloed activity, but realize that crime occurs when poverty, failed education, mental health issues and addiction collide. Addressing crime must include addressing education, poverty and health. Demand that persons convicted of criminal offenses serve their entire sentence. Stop premature parole and probation. Deploy New Mexico State Police resources to under-resourced cities and counties. Refer complex crimes, including trafficking, to the U.S. attorney for federal prosecution. Ensure local district attorney’s offices receive proper funding for staff so they can prosecute all or almost all crimes. During judicial retention elections, publicize the records of judges. Encourage the public to participate in judicial selection. Appoint judges committed to serving justice, rather than trendy social agendas.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

New Mexico does not need more restrictions on responsible gun ownership. New Mexico does need harsher penalties for criminals who use guns to harm others.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

Cooperate with ICE detainer requests on criminal defendants, those with criminal convictions and those with active warrants. Do not cooperate with, but do not interfere with, ICE activities targeted toward persons without criminal involvement.

Party affiliation: Republican Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

I will start by fixing the cashless bail rules and return authority to judges to keep habitual offenders detained and off the streets where they rob, steal and harm people hustling cash to fund their addictions.

My administration’s policies will emphasize tougher enforcement of criminal laws, lengthening sentences for violent crimes, and providing law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect communities.

This issue runs deep in New Mexico, including my own neighborhood. I recently witnessed a shooting near my home while walking my dog. Fortunately, I was able help the victim before police arrived.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

The Second Amendment is not a regulation. It is a constitutional right that allows law-abiding citizens to own guns. I’m a lifelong NRA member and I will oppose further attempts to restrict those rights in New Mexico. President John Adams warned, “Liberty once lost is lost forever.”

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

I believe in strong enforcement of our immigration laws. It’s clear we need to keep our border secure and continue to actually enforce the laws already on the books.

We can do that without causing chaos in our communities. The priority should be fighting cartels, removing violent criminals, drug and human traffickers, and continuing to end incentives for illegal entry.

America is a nation of immigrants and a compassionate country. But compassion starts with order and the rule of law. I believe we can have an immigration process that is controlled, peaceful, and respected.

Party affiliation: Republican Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

New Mexico’s crime problem is not inevitable — it’s the result of a justice system that has lost accountability. I’ll make police pay competitive with neighboring states, which currently outpay New Mexico officers by thousands annually. I’ll expand grants to help cities and counties hire new officers. And I’ll strengthen behavioral health services so trained civilian teams can handle mental health and addiction calls, letting police focus on preventing crime and enforcing the law. Safer communities are the foundation for everything else New Mexico needs to achieve.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

New Mexico doesn’t need more gun restrictions — it needs better enforcement of existing laws, targeted at prohibited possessors and repeat violent offenders. Any red flag process must include strong judicial oversight and clear legal standards; rights should never be restricted based on rushed or weak claims. I support responsible ownership through voluntary education and tax credits for gun safes. Protecting constitutional rights and reducing violence are not opposing goals — they require smart, targeted enforcement, not new burdens on law-abiding citizens.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

New Mexico must cooperate with all law enforcement agencies to get violent criminals who are here illegally off our streets and out of our country. Sanctuary city policies that shield dangerous offenders from federal law enforcement put communities at risk and undermine the rule of law. My focus isn’t immigration status alone — it’s public safety. If someone has committed a violent crime and is here illegally, they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent and removed. That is my obligation as governor.

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

Crime and public safety are pressing problems and top of mind for many New Mexicans. I was a victim of a violent crime myself in my 20s. The good news is that New Mexico, like the whole nation, is seeing declining violent crime: down nearly 29% since 2018. But it’s not enough. Programs like Albuquerque Community Safety are a positive step for proactive response before crimes occur, and we also need major investments in behavioral health, career and social programs for our youth, and to reduce poverty, which is 33% higher in New Mexico than the national average.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

I supported passage of Senate Bill 17 during the 2026 legislative session, which would have increased oversight of gun dealers and enacted restrictions on dangerous weapons and high-capacity magazines. These changes reflect common-sense reforms enacted in places like Colorado. Beyond mass shootings and homicide, guns are a major factor in suicide — New Mexico’s suicide rate is 82% higher than the national average and outpaces our state’s homicide rate. I believe that sensible gun regulations can be enacted without violating anyone’s constitutional rights.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

As we saw in Minnesota and around the country, ICE is targeting everyone — and the Supreme Court gave a free pass to racial profiling as a type of “immigration enforcement.” I was proud to advocate for Senate Bill 264, which bans armed federal agents from New Mexico polling sites. It’s now state law. I also support the Immigrant Safety Act. New Mexico must do everything in our power to protect our communities, because it is clear that under this White House, ICE is lawless. New Mexico won’t be complicit in undermining civil rights.

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

We must take a people-first, data-driven approach by investing in after-school programs, mentorship, violence prevention, anti-recidivism, behavioral health and substance use treatment, while addressing root causes like trauma, addiction, poverty, family instability, environmental factors and lack of opportunities. I support fully funding community-based policing programs, improving coordination across agencies, behavioral health response teams and ensuring accountability in policing. We should also invest in more judges, public defenders, court staff and diversion programs to reduce case backlogs and deliver timely justice. Public safety also means rebuilding trust and creating economic opportunities so fewer people are pushed into cycles of crime.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

I support common-sense gun safety measures that protect lives while respecting responsible gun ownership. That includes limits on high-capacity weapons and magazines. We must also hold straw purchasers accountable and ban online gun and ammunition sales to minors, including through apps like Telegram. We should also invest in enforcement and education to ensure these laws are effective and consistently applied. This is about reducing gun violence and keeping our communities safe.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

We must protect civil rights and ensure due process for all New Mexicans. Local and state resources should not be used to carry out federal immigration enforcement that tears families apart, terrorizes communities and dehumanizes our people. Our municipal, county and state public safety agencies should not cooperate with ICE or enter into detention center agreements. Every New Mexican — regardless of immigration status — should feel safe reporting crimes, seeking help and accessing essential services without fear.

Party affiliation: Republican Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

New Mexico must increase policing and hold criminals accountable. First, hire more police officers and fully fund law enforcement to improve our abysmal violent crime clearance rate — only 1 in 7 cases gets solved. Second, strengthen penalties for felons possessing firearms and close loopholes in burglary laws. Third, address root causes by combating drug cartel activity and fentanyl trafficking driving violence. Finally, support Christian community organizations providing mentorship and rehabilitation, combining faith-based prevention with firm justice to protect families

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

New Mexico should protect Second Amendment rights while focusing on enforcement against criminals, not law-abiding citizens. First, repeal restrictive laws like universal background checks that burden legitimate gun owners without reducing crime. Second, strengthen penalties for illegal firearm possession by felons and enforce existing laws more vigorously — our low crime clearance rate is the real problem. Third, support constitutional carry and oppose confiscation schemes. Finally, fund mental health resources and empower Christian communities to intervene before violence occurs. Good people with guns save lives; criminals must be caught and imprisoned.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

New Mexico should fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and protect public safety. We must end sanctuary policies that shield criminal illegal immigrants from deportation. Local law enforcement should honor ICE detainers and share information to identify and remove dangerous offenders. This honors the rule of law and protects New Mexico families — especially in communities harmed by crimes committed by illegal immigrants. As a Christian, I believe in compassion, but also in justice and safety for our communities. Federal immigration enforcement must be supported, not obstructed.

Party affiliation: Republican Party

What should New Mexico do to address one of the highest crime rates in the nation?

New Mexico needs to get serious about enforcing the law again. That means backing our police, strengthening penalties for repeat violent offenders, and fixing a broken pretrial detention system that too often puts dangerous criminals back on the street. We also need real accountability for prosecutors who refuse to pursue cases. Public safety starts with a clear message: If you commit violent crime in New Mexico, there will be consequences.

What changes do you think the state needs to make on gun regulations?

New Mexico doesn’t need more laws that burden law-abiding citizens, we just need to enforce the ones already on the books. I strongly support the Second Amendment and the rights of responsible gun owners. Our focus should be on criminals who misuse firearms, not on restricting constitutional rights. Disarming law-abiding citizens does nothing to stop violent crime.

How do you think the state should address Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities?

We should cooperate with federal law enforcement, not obstruct it. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and state and local agencies should not be standing in the way. Policies that limit cooperation make our communities less safe. We can be compassionate while still upholding the rule of law and ensuring that dangerous individuals are not released back into our communities.