Contestant Sonya Smith, previously a New Mexico Cabinet secretary, enters the secretary of state election competition
In the upcoming 2026 primary election, a notable contender has emerged for the position of New Mexico Secretary of State – Sonya Smith. If elected, Smith would make history as the first African American to hold this office in the state.
Smith, a former Cabinet secretary in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration, stepped down from her role as head of the Department of Veteran Services in November 2022 to be closer to her family. However, she has now entered the race for Secretary of State.
The current Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, is barred from seeking a third consecutive term. The general election for this position, along with all other statewide offices including governor and attorney general, is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
Smith aims to target independent voters in the run-up to the June 2026 primary election, as independent voting without party affiliation change will be allowed under a law signed by Gov. Lujan Grisham.
At present, no Republican candidate has announced a campaign for next year's secretary of state contest. In the Democratic primary, Smith will be running against Amanda Lopez Askin and Katherine Clark, but as of August 2025, no other Democratic candidates have been publicly identified.
If elected, Smith plans to work to build on Toulouse Oliver's record while also expanding voter education efforts across New Mexico. This focus on voter education echoes the commitment shown by Smith during her tenure as the head of the Department of Veteran Services.
It is important to note that the last Republican to win election as New Mexico secretary of state was Dianna Duran in 2012. Duran resigned from office in 2015 while being investigated for using campaign contributions to pay for a gambling habit.
The primary election is set for June 2, 2026, and with the election cycle still unfolding, candidate filings and announcements may occur later. As we move closer to the primary, more information about the candidates and their platforms is sure to emerge.
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- Sonya Smith, as a potential candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, emphasizes the importance of expanding voter education efforts, a commitment she demonstrated during her time as head of the Department of Veteran Services.
- In the political landscape, independent voters may play a significant role in the upcoming primary election, as they will be allowed to participate without party affiliation, according to a law signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
- Amidst the developing policy-and-legislation surrounding the 2026 primary election, it is essential to keep track of general-news updates, health concerns, and educational perspectives, impacting the election process in New Mexico.
