Candidates lined up to file for all 70 state House seats this week amid continued wreckage for Republicans in special elections around the nation, 

Those national headwinds. say our analysts, rule out any serious chance this year of Republicans altering the Democrats overwhelming House majority of 44-26. Rather, they believe the question is whether the house Democratic caucus, now the center of power at the Roundhouse, will tilt even more progressive after the election or be dotted with a few additional conservative Demcorats who could alter the tone--if only slightly.

That is a meager diet for political junkies for the June 2 primary but as we've been reporting for several years, New Mecico has gradually become a one party state, reducing the number of competitive contest in both the primary and general elections.

In any event, among the key primary rivalries to watch for any tonal shift include NE ABQ District 27 where lawyer Abby Foster is challenging moderate Dem Rep. Marian Matthews; District 40 in Mora County and vicinity where progressive pediatrician Nancy Wright is competing against Dem Rep. Joseph Sanchez; District 41 centered in Rio Arriba County where former longtime moderate Dem Rep. Debbie Rodella is staging a comeback effort and faces progressive Yolanda Jaramillo in the race to replace retiring progressive Rep. Susan Herrera and District 70, based in San Miguel County that sees former Rep. Ambrose Castellano, another conservative Dem, trying to take back the seat he lost in the '24 primary to Rep. Anita Gonzales.

There are a number of others that are on the radar that we'll cover int he weeks ahead. Complete priamry candidate list for all offices is here. 

 POST PREPRIMARY SPIN

The camp of GOP gubernatorial hopeful Duke Rodriguez is out with their post preprimary convention spin, saying of Rodriguez's poor third place showing at the Ruidoso meeting: 

The convention is one room. The primary is the entire state.

They also point to the eligibility of independents now able to vote in state primaries starting with the June primary. They believe Rodriguez as the outsider candidates has particular appeal to them. And the campaign also leans into his Hispanic heritage, saying: 

He is the only Hispanic gubernatorial candidate in the field, Republican or Democrat, and the last three governors elected in New Mexico have been Hispanic.“This is not identity politics. This is the electorate speaking,” Rodriguez said. “New Mexico tends to elect leaders who reflect the culture, the communities, and the families of this state.”   

SANCHEZ FOR TURNER 

Sanchez

Second place preprimary finisher Doug Turner has rolled out an endorsement from former Lt. Gov. John Sanchez who was the 2022 GOP Guv nominee. 

Doug is an inspiring and successful entrepreneur who built a global company right here in New Mexico. Doug brings much needed energy and momentum to this race.

Sanchez served with Gov. Martinez from 2011-19. Martinez has not endorsed a candidate in the primary. Sanchez took a pass on running afor governor this cycle. Former GOP Gov. Gary Johnson (1995-2002) has endorsed Rodriguez who was a cabinet secretary under Johnson.     

Gregg Hull is trying to build post convention momentum with his first place showing by dubbing himself the "frontrunner" in the race while seeking camapign donations.  

NOT A POWER BROKER 

Reader Jeffrey Paul, a Dem delegate to the preprimary convention, pushes back against Sam Bregman who explained his loss to Deb Haaland as the result of "power brokers" controlling the convention:

I certainly don't consider myself a party power broker. Haaland's big win wasn't about a crown, it was about a choice. A choice that 74% of the delegates (teachers, retirees, police officers, salesmen, authors, and healthcare workers) made for the candidate that they felt would bring experience, dedication, wisdom, and commitment to the Governor's office. Bregman's response was beneath him; or was it?

This the Home of New Mexico Politics.