CVNM Endorses in Three Statewide Races: Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and State Land Commissioner
Today, Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM), through its political action committee CVNM Action Fund, announced endorsements for three statewide races in the 2026 general election. They include Stephanie Garcia Richard for Lt. Governor, Amanda López Askin for Secretary of State, and Juan De Jesus Sanchez III for State Land Commissioner. The candidates join a slate of 37 previously endorsed candidates and incumbents in the general election.
Last month, the State Central Committee voted to fill the Democratic Party’s Lieutenant Governor candidate vacancy following the suspension of Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver’s campaign. CVNM Action Fund has endorsed Garcia Richard based on her sterling pro-climate and pro-public lands record as Commissioner of Public Lands.
“We are pleased to stand with Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard in her run for Lt. Governor,” stated Molly Taylor, CVNM Chief Operating Officer. “Over the past eight years, Garcia Richard transformed the State Land Office, ensuring it holds polluters accountable while embracing more creative pathways to generate state revenue. Under her leadership, the State Land Office has grown renewable energy investments 600%, and established renewable energy growth as a central goal to the office’s focus. We applaud her for her deep conservation ethic, and know she will bring innovation and environmental stewardship to the office of Lt. Governor.”
Amanda López Askin is the current Dona Aña County Clerk, and has a clear record of pushing back on election deniers. CVNM Action Fund believes that equitable access to the polls is essential to a fair and free democracy for all, and has endorsed López Askin for Secretary of State based on her strong county record. She faces Republican candidate Ramona Goolsby in November.
“Amanda López Askin has consistently put community service first in her role as County Clerk,” stated Taylor. “She has not only worked hard to ensure strong implementation of the state’s Voting Rights Act, but she has also ensured her offices have the adequate staffing needed to support the community’s diverse needs. We believe she has the vision needed to fight back against federal attempts to undermine our democracy, and ensure all New Mexicans can safely exercise their right to vote.”
Juan De Jesus Sanchez III hails from a ranching family in Valencia and Socorro counties and brings responsible land and water stewardship to the race for State Land Commissioner. He has a background in water resources, including acequia and traditional water use management, and cares deeply about the natural environment and polluter accountability. He faces Republican candidate Michael Perry.
“At a time when the protections for our lands and waters are being unilaterally dismantled, New Mexicans deserve strong leadership of our state’s lands“ stated Zoe Barker, CVNM Legislative Director. “The State Land Office is now on the frontlines of protecting our land and water resources in the wake of these attacks. We stand with Juan De Jesus Sanchez III because he will prioritize the protection and stewardship of state resources for all New Mexicans while holding polluters accountable and standing up to Steve Pearce. He also cares deeply about wildlife protection and habitat management and has a strong vision for renewable energy development in the State Land Office. We are pleased to stand with him in the General Election.”
CVNM Action Fund’s endorsements can be viewed on two comprehensive and interactive websites: GreenGov2026.org and GreenVote2026.org. GreenGov2026 features information on the Haaland/Garcia Richard ticket, including recent environmental news related to both candidates. CVNMVote2026 features the full slate of endorsements CVNM Action Fund has made to date, from statewide to legislative to county.
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Conservation Voters New Mexico Action Fund, a connected state political action committee of CVNM, is a nonpartisan “coordinated” political action committee. CVNM Action Fund works to elect pro-conservation candidates and to defeat anti-conservation candidates at the state level. Through the CVNM Action Fund, we let voters know that who we elect matters for New Mexico’s air, land, water and healthy communities.