Greggory Hull

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

I spent my career in business before entering public life. When I saw an opportunity to bring that same results-driven approach to Rio Rancho, I ran for mayor in 2014.

Over the past 12 years, Rio Rancho has grown from about 93,000 residents to nearly 113,000 — it's consistently ranked one of the safest cities in New Mexico, and our economy has attracted investment and jobs that other communities are still waiting for. I believe government works best when it's run like a well-managed organization: clear priorities, real accountability, and results you can measure. That's what I want to bring to Santa Fe.

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. New Mexico has spent more money and gotten worse outcomes for too long. The state keeps centralizing decisions in Santa Fe that should be made by teachers, principals, and local school boards. In my first 100 days, I'd direct the Public Education Department to begin transferring meaningful decision-making authority back to local districts — and I'd launch a statewide push to help every district develop a career and technical education program. We need to build pathways to AI-proof jobs, not just push every student toward a four-year degree.

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

I'm the mayor of New Mexico's third-largest city, and I've won three times in a community that's diverse, pragmatic, and doesn't vote straight-ticket Republican. My message isn't ideological — it's about five things every New Mexican cares about regardless of party: education, public safety, health care, infrastructure, and energy. I'm going to take that message everywhere — Las Cruces, Española, Gallup, Roswell — and make the case that 12 years of tangible results in Rio Rancho is exactly what the rest of the state needs. This race is winnable if we talk about outcomes, not politics.

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

I am not going to get into a disagreement with the political parties. It does not serve the citizens of New Mexico well to make this campaign a fight about who is more Republican or Democrat. We have to talk about real issues in this race. I have real executive experience in the private sector and as mayor of Rio Rancho to be successful as your governor.

As governor, I will improve schools and student outcomes, address crime, bring jobs to our cities and towns, and work with people on all sides of the political spectrum to make New Mexico the place Americans want to call home. I’ve raised my kids and grandkids here and I want the very best for them, for you, and for your children.

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?

I'd push for meaningful bail reform — closing the loopholes that put repeat violent offenders back on the street before their cases are even adjudicated. In Rio Rancho, I doubled the police budget and built a department that actually prevents crime rather than just responding to it.

But policing alone isn't enough if the courts keep cycling the same people through. On getting it done: I'll find Democratic legislators who represent high-crime districts and have constituents demanding action. Public safety is not a partisan issue for working families in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, or Gallup. I'll build the coalition around results.

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 can't afford to be a one-revenue state, and any honest answer about the budget has to start there. I'd prioritize two things: first, responsible stewardship of the energy we have — no unnecessary regulatory barriers that push production to Texas or Colorado.

Second, use this window of oil revenue to aggressively diversify — targeted investment in economic development, workforce training, and infrastructure that makes New Mexico competitive for industries that aren't tied to a commodity price. Career technical education isn't just an education policy; it's economic resilience. If we train the workforce, the companies follow.

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

I am not going to criticize a governor who has been out of office for two terms. We have to deal with the situation we have now, which is failing schools, a lack of job opportunities, crime and drugs in the streets, and how we fix those. As demonstrated in my answers to questions in this questionnaire, I am ready to tackle these issues and more on day one. I know what’s worked in Rio Rancho and I am ready to take the same winning approach statewide.

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

Early childhood education and childcare access. Democrats have invested in this space, and the data support it as an economic development tool as much as an education one. I'd rather find common ground on expanding access to early childhood programs than spend my first session in a standoff.

Where I'll draw the line is on the spending structure — I want accountability built into every dollar, not blank checks to a bureaucracy. But the goal of giving every New Mexico child a strong start? That's not partisan. That's what I'll lead with.