Bregman Enters Race for Governor Amid Crime Surge \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman officially launched his campaign for New Mexico governor Thursday, focusing on crime and public safety. As the National Guard prepares to deploy in Albuquerque, Bregman is positioning himself as a centrist alternative. He faces a Democratic primary challenge from former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Quick Looks
- Sam Bregman, a Democrat and DA in Albuquerque, enters the 2026 governor’s race.
- Bregman highlights his crime-fighting record amid persistent violence in New Mexico.
- He will compete in the primary against former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
- No Republicans have declared yet; the filing deadline is February 2026.
- Bregman’s son is MLB star Alex Bregman of the Boston Red Sox.
- National Guard is deploying to Albuquerque to support police amid crime surge.
- Bregman says voters want safety, not extremes from either party.
- He supports policies linking wages, housing, and mental health to crime reduction.
- GOP critics say crime has worsened under Bregman’s watch as DA.
- As DA, he’s hired staff, fought gun violence, and secured over 300 murder convictions.
Deep Look
Sam Bregman, the Democratic district attorney at the center of New Mexico’s public safety debate, launched his candidacy for governor Thursday, pledging to bring law-and-order leadership and centrist values to a state grappling with a deepening violent crime crisis.
Bregman’s announcement comes just as National Guard troops prepare to deploy in Albuquerque, where persistent gun violence and high-profile youth shootings have intensified public pressure on state officials.
The 61-year-old Albuquerque DA, known for his prominent media presence and trademark cowboy hat, was appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2023 to fill the DA role after Raúl Torrez became state attorney general. Now, Bregman is looking to succeed Lujan Grisham as the next Democratic nominee — and possibly, governor.
A City Under Pressure: Public Safety and Politics Collide
New Mexico’s crime rates remain among the nation’s highest. In Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, residents have become grimly familiar with frequent reports of gun violence, carjackings, and homicides. Yet, public sentiment is shifting — not just out of frustration with the violence, but due to the broader socioeconomic issues underlying it.
“The economy equates to crime, housing equates to crime,” explained Sisto Abeyta, president of Tri-Strategies New Mexico. “There aren’t enough mental health services. That’s where the problem starts.”
Bregman agrees, but insists that a more aggressive stance on enforcement is helping shift the momentum. He’s built a dedicated firearms and violent crime task force, increased staffing at the DA’s office, and boasts over 300 murder convictions since his tenure began.
A Centrist Message in a Divided Political Landscape
Framing himself as a centrist alternative to political extremes, Bregman aims to appeal not just to Democrats but also to the nearly 310,000 unaffiliated voters in the state, who can now vote in major party primaries thanks to a recently passed law.
“Most voters are tired of the radical right — and they’re not very receptive to the radical left either,” Bregman told the AP.
“People want leaders who talk about what they talk about at the breakfast table — wages, education, health care, and safety.”
The new election law, which opens primaries to independent voters, could significantly reshape the race. Many younger voters have opted out of party affiliation entirely, disillusioned by polarization in both parties.
Pollster Brian Sanderoff noted that this change removes a major participation barrier, especially among voters who previously felt sidelined in the primary process.
From Prosecutor to Politician: Bregman’s Law-and-Order Legacy
Bregman’s campaign is banking on his law enforcement credibility. As DA, he launched efforts to block pretrial releases for dangerous suspects, and was appointed by Lujan Grisham to a state task force on organized crime.
This week, the governor invoked emergency powers to call in the National Guard for Albuquerque’s Route 66 corridor, reinforcing a message that public safety is the top political issue heading into 2026.
Still, Republicans have criticized Bregman’s record, arguing that crime has not meaningfully declined under his leadership. They’re likely to continue painting him as part of the establishment that failed to control Albuquerque’s crime wave.
However, Bregman’s supporters point to incremental progress and his ability to work across the aisle as assets that could draw support beyond the Democratic base.
A Democratic Showdown Looms
Bregman will face a high-profile opponent in the Democratic primary: former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who served in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet and has deep roots in New Mexico’s progressive political circles.
The matchup is likely to crystallize the ideological divide within the state’s Democratic Party — with Haaland expected to draw support from progressives and Native American communities, while Bregman seeks to build a coalition of moderates, independents, and centrists.
No Republican has yet entered the race, but strategists expect a competitive GOP challenge given Trump’s narrowing margins in New Mexico during the 2024 presidential election — even though he has lost the state three times.
Conclusion: Crime, Economy, and the Fight for the Middle
With crime at the forefront, Bregman is betting that voters want pragmatic, results-driven leadership over ideology. His campaign will likely be defined by his track record as DA, his promise to stand up to Trumpism, and his pitch to lead a state that’s long struggled with poverty, addiction, and inequality.
“We’ve started to turn the tide,” Bregman said. “There’s still a long road ahead, but New Mexico can’t afford to wait.”
As the campaign unfolds, the question will be whether Bregman’s focus on public safety, moderation, and law enforcement resonates with a state ready for change — or whether voters will turn elsewhere for bold solutions in turbulent times.
Bregman Enters Race
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