We could discuss endlessly why a state with the well-deserved nickname the "Land of Enchantment" has undergone one of the greatest periods of population stagnation in its over 400 year history. Instead let's focus on one aspect of that stagnation impacting our politics. That would be how folks here are so much older than just a few decades ago.

Our state--one of the nation's youngest when I disembarked from a Greyhound bus here in 1971--is now one of the oldest, joining the top ten of fastest graying states. 

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 21.1% of New Mexico's population is currently 65 or older. This reflects a sharp upward trend over the past few decades, making New Mexico one of the fastest-aging states in the country. And there's no end in sight. UNM population projections say the percentage of seniors in the state will hit nearly 25 percent in 2040 or one in four residents. 

How vast a change we've witnessed is revealed by Census numbers from 2000 when only only 11.7 percent of the NM population was 65 or over. That jumped to 13.2 percent in 2010, ranking us 35th in the nation for oldsters. When the Great Recession struck it accelerated the depopulation and aging trend with the number of seniors pole vaulting in 2020 to 18.5 percent and now we are at 21.1 percent.

POLITICAL IMPACT 

So why have New Mexico's politics become significantly more Blue even as the population dramatically ages? Shouldn't it be the opposite or at least less pronounced? After all seniors are traditionally more conservative? Well, as former NM territorial Governor Lew Wallace explained long ago: "All calculations based on experience elsewhere fail in New Mexico." Let's take a look: 

--In states like Florida or Arizona, much of the senior growth is driven by wealthy, predominantly conservative retirees migrating from other states. In New Mexico, a far higher proportion of that growth comes from long-time residents aging in place. New Mexico’s senior cohort reflects the state's broader population: significantly Hispanic and Native American. Nationally and locally, non-white older adults vote Democratic at much higher rates than non-Hispanic white seniors. Also, long-term local residents often have decades-long political ties to the state's Democratic Party or labor unions. 

Older in NM

--For older voters the most critical issues are often healthcare access, prescription drug costs, Medicare, and Social Security. New Mexico’s dominant Dems have emphasized Medicaid expansion, state-subsidized healthcare coverage, and lower prescription costs. That resonates directly with the senior demographic. 

--The senior population growth is heavily concentrated in urban and suburban centers like the ABQ metro and Santa Fe. Seniors living there lean more progressive than the state's rural seniors, reflecting the broader political divide seen across the country. 

--The political math in New Mexico gives Democrats a big buffer. Registered D's make up roughly 40% of the electorate compared to 31% for Republicans and 28% for independents. Because voter turnout among seniors is higher than among the younger set, the state's Democratic-leaning senior base turns out reliably in most elections.

Still, the graying of New Mexico has not stopped efforts to improve the woeful conditions that too many of the state's children live in. Free universal early child care and free college tuition have been put into law and the dysfunctional Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) is now getting the political attention necessary to see a turnaround. 

While New Mexico's growing number of grandpas and grandmas have their healthcare cushions, it's not coming at the expense of those who hope to be around long enough to join their ranks. 

BOOMERS RULE  

Govs. Johnson, MLG & Martinez

When it comes to the top job in La Politica the baby boomers are on a roll and may very well continue. 

Dem governor nominee and front-runner Deb Haaland, 65, was born in 1960 in the middle of the baby boom ('46-'64). 

Gregg Hull, 60, her GOP opponent, was born in 1966 and claims membership in Generation X ('65-'80).

The Boomers have held the Governor's office for all this century with Governors Johnson, Richardson, Martinez and Lujan Grisham. Does the generational difference matter? It does to Generation Z ('97-2012) who disagree with many of their boomer elders on key social and economic issues, including Medicare for all. 

In New Mexico many of the young left also want the state to buy out PNM, the state's largest electric utility, and slap a moratorium on all data center developments like the controversial Project Jupiter. Dem nominee Haaland does not support either position. 

ENDORSING HULL

Former Gov. Gary Johnson, 74, is still around, enjoying the good life in Taos and endorsing candidates for Governor. In this year's GOP primary he endorsed Duke Rodriguez who served in Johnson's cabinet in the 1990's. Now Johnson, who bolted the GOP to twice run for president under the Libertarian party banner, has come aboard with primary winner Hull: 

As New Mexico's former governor, I'd like to think I know what it takes to lead this state with fiscal discipline and common sense. Gregg Hull built a business from the ground up, then spent 12 years proving as Rio Rancho's mayor that experienced leadership delivers real results — safer streets, a growing economy, and a city other communities look to as a model. New Mexico needs that same kind of leadership at the state level, and that's why I'm proud to endorse Gregg Hull for governor.

Hull, of course, welcomed the endorsement and said folks who like it should consider giving his campaign $25. That's all? Gary and his well-off buddies leave that much in the tip jar at Starbucks (or should). 

Shoot a little higher, Gregg, you just might hit a bigger target.  

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