Doug Turner

Provide a short bio of yourself and tell us how you got into public service?

I am a lifelong New Mexican who believes our state can be stronger, safer, and more prosperous when the government is limited, accountable, and focused on serving people, not controlling them.

I was raised in Old Town Albuquerque and educated at Albuquerque High, United World College USA, American University, and Université Libre de Bruxelles.

I bring something none of my opponents can match: I’ve spent my career building things and fixing things, as an entrepreneur who grew a company from Albuquerque into operations in 40 countries, and as someone who has worked in high-stakes environments at the local, state, national and international levels.

I served eight years as Chairman of the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, 15 years as Chairman of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, and currently serve as a Village of Taos Ski Valley Councilor.

I’ve also worked on issues affecting New Mexico policy for decades, so I understand how the government works, and how it fails.

What is one problem in New Mexico that you believe state government is currently failing at—and what would you do differently in your first 100 days?

Education. For over 30 years we have been in last place in our country. That must end. As governor, I will expand parental choice and school competition, enforce grade level literacy standards before promotion, and hold schools accountable for outcomes, not just spending. Money should follow the child. Every New Mexico child deserves the chance to reach their full potential right here at home.

Republicans haven’t won the governorship in New Mexico since Susana Martinez—how do you win statewide, not just the primary?

While campaigning around the state I have realized that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents truly do share common ground. We all want our kids to get a good education, we all want crime to go down, and we all want small businesses to thrive here. These issues all unite us, and I know I can win in November by focusing on the things that matter most to New Mexicans from the standpoint of a father, businessman, and New Mexican. I’m not a politician, and I don’t talk like one. I get results, and that is what New Mexicans are looking for.

What is one policy currently supported by Republicans nationally that you would NOT support in New Mexico—and why?

I believe that both Republicans and Democrats in Washington have dangerously embraced unsustainable deficit spending. Our national debt is nearly $40 trillion! That’s a recipe for disaster that must be addressed. As Governor, I’ll ensure we plan our budgets wisely, cut wasteful spending and that our permanent fund remains strong.

Crime is a central issue—what specific law or policy would you change in your first legislative session, and how would you get it through a likely Democratic legislature?

Our cashless bail system. This is the driving reason for the revolving door for violent criminals in our state. I believe this is a non-partisan issue and everyone sees the damage it has done to our state. With the legislature, we can work together to get a constitutional amendment in front of voters so we can reverse the disastrous damage this has done to our state and ensure that dangerous repeat offenders stay behind bars.

Oil and gas fund a huge portion of New Mexico’s budget—what happens to state services if production drops, and what is your backup plan?

New Mexico has become the nation's second largest oil producer, with production surpassing 2 million barrels per day in 2024, a remarkable achievement that funds our schools, our roads, and our communities.

I will protect our energy industry by providing regulatory certainty and keeping New Mexico competitive, so companies continue to invest and hire locally. When oil and gas succeed, New Mexico wins. That said, we must continue to aggressively diversify our economy to ensure that should production drop, we continue to have reliable revenue streams.

That starts by cutting taxes and red tape so small businesses can thrive, improving education to create a robust, job-ready work force, improving our healthcare system and fighting crime.

Name one thing the last Republican governor did with which you disagree—and what you would do differently.

I disagree with the way mental health services in our state were dismantled and defunded, leaving many without the proper care and help they desperately need. I would fund and support increased mental health services in our state, which will help lower crime and homelessness, and set our youth up for success.

If you win, you’ll likely face a Democratic legislature on day one—what’s the first compromise you’re willing to make?”

While this may be bullish, I truly believe there are many areas we’ll be able to find common ground. New Mexicans are hardworking and resilient people. We all want our state to succeed. We all want our children to get a good education.

We want to be safe and create more economic growth. I don’t plan on compromising on core values, but I believe we can always find common ground and work together to ensure every New Mexican has the opportunity to thrive.