Sam Bregman, a Democratic New Mexico district attorney, has entered New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial race, attempting to separate himself from the “radical Left.”

Bregman is seeking to take over for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), who is ineligible to run due to term limits. In a campaign video released Thursday, he said the state was under attack by MAGA Republicans including President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, emphasizing the grave importance of unification of the Democratic Party.

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However, he blasted Democratic leadership for being “weak and ineffective,” allowing Republicans to make major inroads.

“It’s the intolerance of the radical Left that has divided our partners at a time when we need everyone to unite in the fight against Trump, whether it’s them or the MAGA extremists,” Bregman said. “They’ve all hijacked our politics, leaving everyday New Mexicans in the dust. To be blunt, people are tired of this garbage.”

Bregman touted his record as district attorney while emphasizing his campaign promises of combating violent crime in the state by putting gang members behind bars. In 2022, New Mexico had the highest violent crime rate in the nation. On Tuesday, Grisham activated the National Guard in response to a self-declared state of emergency over violent crime in Albuquerque.

Deb Haaland, former President Joe Biden’s interior secretary, is also making a bid for governor. During her time in the Biden administration, she opposed granting new leases for drilling oil and gas on federal land. She was deemed a “radical” by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) during her confirmation hearing over her support for the Green New Deal.

The primary matchup between Haaland, a member of the Democratic establishment, and Bregman, who is branding himself as a centrist, will likely determine the direction of the state’s Democratic Party.

REPUBLICANS TURN TO 2025 GOVERNOR BATTLES AS PARTY LOOKS TO RIDE 2024 SUCCESS

Following the 2024 election, in which Trump defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris and Republicans won the majority in both chambers of Congress, Democrats have been looking for ways to appeal to their disenchanted voter base.

New Mexico’s gubernatorial race will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.