# 2022 New Mexico gubernatorial election

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The 2022 New Mexico gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of New Mexico. The election coincided with various other federal and state elections. Primary elections were held on June 7.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham won a second term by a margin of 6.38%. She was first elected in 2018 with 57.2% of the vote. Her opponent was Republican Mark Ronchetti, who was also his party's nominee in New Mexico's 2020 U.S. Senate election.
Despite losing, Ronchetti managed to carry a congressional district that elected Democrat Gabe Vasquez in the concurrent U.S. House elections. This was the first gubernatorial election in New Mexico since 1986 in which the winner was from the same party as the incumbent president, and the first time since 1978 that it was a Democrat.

## Democratic primary
### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominated

* Michelle Lujan Grisham, incumbent governor (2019–present)

#### Endorsements

Organizations
* EMILY's List

#### Results

Gubernatorial Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michelle Lujan Grisham (incumbent) | 125,238 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 125,238 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominated

* Howie Morales, incumbent lieutenant governor (2019–present)

#### Results

Lieutenant gubernatorial Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Howie Morales (incumbent) | 117,293 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 117,293 | 100.0% |

## Republican primary
### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominated

* Mark Ronchetti, former KRQE meteorologist and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2020

##### Eliminated in primary

* Jay Block, Sandoval County commissioner and retired U.S. Air Force officer
* Rebecca Dow, state representative (2017–2023)
* Ethel Maharg, Right to Life of New Mexico executive director
* Gregory Zanetti, retired U.S. Army National Guard officer and former chair of the Bernalillo County Republican Party

##### Withdrew

* Karen Bedonie, businesswoman (running as a Libertarian)
* Louie Sanchez, shooting range owner (ran for U.S. House)
* Tim Walsh, former advisor to Governor Gary Johnson and former Lake City, Minnesota city councilman (ran as a Libertarian)

##### Declined

* Yvette Herrell, U.S. representative from New Mexico's 2nd congressional district (2021–2023) (ran for re-election)

#### Polling

Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Jay Block | Rebecca Dow | Mark Ronchetti | Greg Zanetti | Other | Margin |
| Real Clear Politics | April 29 – May 19, 2022 | May 23, 2022 | 10.0% | 13.0% | 44.5% | 9.5% | 23.0% | Ronchetti +31.5 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jay Block | Rebecca Dow | Mark Ronchetti | Greg Zanetti | Other | Undecided |
| Research & Polling Inc. | May 15–19, 2022 | 560 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 8% | 17% | 45% | 9% | 1% | 21% |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 505 (LV) | ± 6.4% | 12% | 9% | 44% | 10% | 2% | 23% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R) | January 31 – February 1, 2022 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 2% | 9% | 60% | 7% | 3% | 19% |

#### Results

Gubernatorial Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Ronchetti | 68,658 | 58.41% |
| | Republican | Rebecca Dow | 18,185 | 15.47% |
| | Republican | Gregory Zanetti | 16,394 | 13.95% |
| | Republican | Jay Block | 12,469 | 10.61% |
| | Republican | Ethel Maharg | 1,845 | 1.57% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 117,551 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominated

* Ant Thornton, aerospace engineer

##### Eliminated in primary

* Peggy Muller-Aragon, member of the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education

##### Eliminated at convention

* Patrick H. Lyons, former New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands and former member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
* Anastacia Morper, real estate agent
* Isabella Solis, Doña Ana County commissioner

#### Results

Lieutenant gubernatorial Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ant Thornton | 64,386 | 59.71% |
| | Republican | Peggy Muller-Aragon | 43,438 | 40.29% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 107,824 | 100.0% |

## Libertarian primary
### Governor
#### Candidates
##### Nominated

* Karen Bedonie, businesswoman and candidate for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in 2020

##### Eliminated in primary

* Ginger G. Grider, nominee for Secretary of State of New Mexico in 2018

##### Withdrew

* Tim Walsh, former advisor to Governor Gary Johnson and former Lake City, Minnesota city councilman
Endorsements

###### Individuals

* Nicholas Sarwark, former Chair of Libertarian National Committee (2014–2020)

#### Results

Gubernatorial Libertarian primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | Karen Bedonie | 980 | 86.12% |
| | Libertarian | Ginger G. Grider (write-in) | 158 | 13.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,138 | 100.0% |

### Lieutenant governor

Travis Sanchez won the Libertarian primary unopposed, but withdrew to become the Libertarian nominee for New Mexico State Auditor. Sanchez was replaced by Efren Gallardo Jr.

#### Candidates
##### Declared

* Efren Gallardo Jr.

##### Withdrew

* Travis Sanchez, activist

#### Results

Lieutenant gubernatorial Libertarian primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | Travis Sanchez | 1,175 | 100.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,175 | 100.0% |

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Lean D | June 8, 2022 |
| Inside Elections | Tilt D | November 3, 2022 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean D | January 26, 2022 |
| Politico | Lean D | April 1, 2022 |
| RCP | Tossup | June 20, 2022 |
| Fox News | Tossup | August 22, 2022 |
| 538 | Likely D | July 31, 2022 |
| Elections Daily | Lean D | November 7, 2022 |

### Endorsements

U.S. presidents
* Joe Biden, 46th president of the United States (2021–2025)
* Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States (2009–2017)
Federal officials
* Kamala Harris, 49th vice president of the United States (2021–2025)
State officials
* Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (2019–present)
Local officials
* Ravi Bhasker, mayor of Socorro
* Luis Bonaguidi, mayor of Gallup
* Tim Keller, mayor of Albuquerque
* Ken Ladner, mayor of Silver City
* Javier Perea, mayor of Sunland Park
* Louie Trujillo, mayor of Las Vegas, New Mexico
* Alan Webber, mayor of Santa Fe
Labor unions
* American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
* National Education Association
* United Auto Workers
* United Mine Workers
Organizations
* ActBlue
* Animal Protection Voters
* Democratic Governors Association
* Everytown for Gun Safety
* Feminist Majority PAC
* Giffords
* Human Rights Campaign
* Latino Victory Fund
* League of Conservation Voters
* NARAL Pro-Choice America
* Planned Parenthood
U.S. presidents
* Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States (2017–2021)
Federal officials
* Nikki Haley, United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2017–2018) and former governor of South Carolina (2011–2017)
* Yvette Herrell, U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district (2021–2023)
* Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021)
State officials
* Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (2019–present) and former U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district (2013–2018)
* Doug Ducey, Governor of Arizona (2015–2023)
* Gary Johnson, former governor of New Mexico (1995–2003) (Libertarian)
* Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia (2022–present)
Sheriffs
* David Black, Otero County sheriff
* Shane Ferrari, San Juan County sheriff
* Corey Helton, Lea County sheriff
* Denise Vigil, Valencia County sheriff
Organizations
* ABQ Journal
* CatholicVote.org
* NRA Political Victory Fund

### Polling

Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Mark Ronchetti (R) | Karen Bedonie (L) | Other | Margin |
| Real Clear Politics | October 6–21, 2022 | October 21, 2022 | 47.0% | 43.5% | – | 9.5% | Lujan Grisham +3.5 |
| FiveThirtyEight | June 14 – October 24, 2022 | October 24, 2022 | 48.7% | 41.1% | 4.9% | 5.3% | Lujan Grisham +7.6 |
| Average | Average | Average | 47.9% | 42.3% | – | 7.4% | Lujan Grisham +5.6 |
Graphical summary
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Mark Ronchetti (R) | Karen Bedonie (L) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | October 25–28, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 49% | 46% | 2% | <1% | 3% |
| Emerson College | October 25–28, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 50% | 48% | 2% | <1% | – |
| Research & Polling Inc. | October 20–27, 2022 | 1,254 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 50% | 42% | 3% | – | 5% |
| SurveyUSA | October 21–26, 2022 | 650 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 46% | 39% | 5% | – | 9% |
| The Trafalgar Group (R) | October 19–21, 2022 | 1,077 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 46% | 47% | 4% | – | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | October 6–7, 2022 | 806 (V) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 40% | 7% | – | 6% |
| SurveyUSA | October 1–6, 2022 | 570 (LV) | ± 5.8% | 53% | 37% | 3% | – | 7% |
| Cygnal (R) | September 27–29, 2022 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 46% | 44% | 5% | – | 5% |
| SurveyUSA | September 8–12, 2022 | 558 (LV) | ± 5.7% | 48% | 36% | 5% | – | 11% |
| Emerson College | September 8–11, 2022 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.0% | 48% | 43% | – | 3% | 5% |
| Research & Polling Inc. | August 19–25, 2022 | 518 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 47% | 40% | 5% | – | 8% |
| GQR Research (D) | June 11–17, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 48% | 44% | 5% | – | 3% |
| Public Policy Polling (D) | June 13–14, 2022 | 642 (V) | ± 3.9% | 45% | 42% | 9% | – | 5% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R) | June 11–14, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 46% | – | – | 9% |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 1,389 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 47% | 43% | – | – | 11% |
| Cygnal (R) | January 3–4, 2022 | 531 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 43% | 42% | – | – | 16% |
Michelle Lujan Grisham vs. Jay Block
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Jay Block (R) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 1,389 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 47% | 37% | 16% |
Michelle Lujan Grisham vs. Rebecca Dow
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Rebecca Dow (R) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 1,389 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 48% | 36% | 16% |
| Cygnal (R) | January 3–4, 2022 | 531 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 43% | 36% | 20% |
Michelle Lujan Grisham vs. Ethel Maharg
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Ethel Maharg (R) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 1,389 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 48% | 32% | 19% |
Michelle Lujan Grisham vs. Gregory Zanetti
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Gregory Zanetti (R) | Undecided |
| SurveyUSA | April 29 – May 7, 2022 | 1,389 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 48% | 36% | 16% |
| Cygnal (R) | January 3–4, 2022 | 531 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 43% | 38% | 21% |
Michelle Lujan Grisham vs. generic Republican
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) | Generic Republican | Undecided |
| Cygnal (R) | July 6–8, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 47% | 7% |

### Debates

2022 New Mexico gubernatorial general election debates :
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Republican | Libertarian |
| Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | | | |
| Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Key:  P Participant  A Absent  N Non-invitee  I Invitee W Withdrawn | Michelle Lujan Grisham | Mark Ronchetti | Karen Bedonie |
| 1 | Oct. 13, 2022 | KOAT-TV | Doug Fernandez | | P | P | N |

### Results

2022 New Mexico gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Michelle Lujan Grisham (incumbent)Howie Morales (incumbent) | 370,168 | 51.97% | −5.23% |
| | Republican | Mark RonchettiAnt Thornton | 324,701 | 45.59% | +2.79% |
| | Libertarian | Karen BedonieEfren Gallardo, Jr. | 17,387 | 2.44% | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 712,256 | 100.0% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 714,797 | 52.38% | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,364,559 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

#### By county

By county :
| | Michelle Lujan Grisham Democrat | Michelle Lujan Grisham Democrat | Mark V Ronchetti Republican | Mark V Ronchetti Republican | Karen E. Bedonie Libertarian | Karen E. Bedonie Libertarian | Total |
| County | Votes | % | Votes | % | | | Votes |
| Bernalillo | 141,177 | 57.55% | 99,639 | 40.62% | 4484 | 1.83% | 245,300 |
| Catron | 471 | 23.29% | 1,493 | 73.84% | 58 | 2.87% | 2,022 |
| Chaves | 4,063 | 24.89% | 11,884 | 72.79% | 379 | 2.32% | 16,326 |
| Cibola | 3,418 | 49.75% | 3,230 | 47.02% | 222 | 3.23% | 6,870 |
| Colfax | 2,053 | 41.82% | 2,719 | 55.39% | 137 | 2.79% | 4,909 |
| Curry | 2,516 | 24.55% | 7,092 | 69.20% | 640 | 6.25% | 10,248 |
| De Baca | 167 | 22.03% | 566 | 74.67% | 25 | 3.30% | 758 |
| Doña Ana | 32,147 | 55.69% | 23,213 | 40.21% | 2364 | 4.10% | 57,724 |
| Eddy | 3,376 | 20.20% | 12,996 | 77.75% | 344 | 2.06% | 16,716 |
| Grant | 6,185 | 52.88% | 5,217 | 44.60% | 294 | 2.51% | 11,696 |
| Guadalupe | 915 | 52.56% | 784 | 45.03% | 42 | 2.41% | 1,741 |
| Harding | 129 | 30.79% | 280 | 66.83% | 10 | 2.39% | 419 |
| Hidalgo | 645 | 39.72% | 914 | 56.28% | 65 | 4.00% | 1,624 |
| Lea | 2,104 | 15.02% | 11,542 | 82.40% | 362 | 2.58% | 14,008 |
| Lincoln | 2,334 | 27.94% | 5,778 | 69.16% | 243 | 2.91% | 8,355 |
| Los Alamos | 6,192 | 61.02% | 3,751 | 36.96% | 205 | 2.02% | 10,148 |
| Luna | 2,445 | 41.52% | 3,250 | 55.19% | 194 | 3.29% | 5,889 |
| McKinley | 12,910 | 66.27% | 5,799 | 29.77% | 772 | 3.96% | 19,481 |
| Mora | 1,584 | 64.47% | 832 | 33.86% | 41 | 1.67% | 2,457 |
| Otero | 5,852 | 33.17% | 11,182 | 63.38% | 608 | 3.45% | 17,642 |
| Quay | 803 | 26.53% | 2,104 | 69.51% | 120 | 3.96% | 3,027 |
| Rio Arriba | 8,037 | 62.01% | 4,729 | 36.49% | 195 | 1.50% | 12,961 |
| Roosevelt | 1,087 | 23.32% | 3,177 | 68.15% | 398 | 8.54% | 4,662 |
| San Juan | 12,849 | 32.08% | 25,574 | 63.85% | 1631 | 4.07% | 40,054 |
| San Miguel | 6,531 | 68.98% | 2,785 | 29.41% | 152 | 1.61% | 9,468 |
| Sandoval | 30,789 | 50.28% | 29,337 | 47.91% | 1109 | 1.81% | 61,235 |
| Santa Fe | 52,447 | 75.35% | 16,287 | 23.40% | 868 | 1.25% | 69,602 |
| Sierra | 1,780 | 36.19% | 3,001 | 61.01% | 138 | 2.81% | 4,919 |
| Socorro | 2,950 | 48.05% | 2,988 | 48.66% | 202 | 3.29% | 6,140 |
| Taos | 10,188 | 76.33% | 2,964 | 22.21% | 196 | 1.47% | 13,348 |
| Torrance | 1,588 | 28.64% | 3,712 | 66.96% | 244 | 4.40% | 5,544 |
| Union | 328 | 21.87% | 1,101 | 73.40% | 71 | 4.73% | 1,500 |
| Valencia | 10,108 | 39.70% | 14,781 | 58.05% | 574 | 2.25% | 25,463 |

#### By congressional district

Lujan Grisham won 2 of 3 congressional districts with Ronchetti winning the remaining one, which elected a Democrat.
| District | Lujan Grisham | Ronchetti | Representative |
| 1st | 53.2% | 45.3% | Melanie Stansbury |
| 2nd | 48.4% | 48.7% | Yvette Herrell (117th Congress) |
| 2nd | 48.4% | 48.7% | Gabe Vasquez (118th Congress) |
| 3rd | 53.9% | 43.7% | Teresa Leger Fernandez |