Welcome

How to read this guide

This is a non-partisan guide pairing candidates' 2026 primary proposals with the best available research on whether each policy's mechanism has worked elsewhere.

Reading a rating

Every researchable rating has two parts. The label and color show the direction of the evidence. The number of filled dots shows the confidence in that finding.

Positive: the mechanism tends to work.

Mixed: effects cut both ways, or evidence is contested.

Negative: the mechanism tends to fail or backfire.

No effect: the mechanism does not move the outcome.

High confidence: randomized trials or strong quasi-experimental designs.

Moderate: credible observational studies or pre/post designs.

Low: correlational, descriptive, or single-case evidence only.

Important caveat

This guide was built with the help of Anthropic Claude Opus 4.8, and AI-generated assessments may be inaccurate. Every researchable rating cites the underlying studies — follow those sources to verify any individual claim.

2026 New Mexico Primary — Evidence Guide

· Albuquerque & Rio Rancho ballots
Methodology & downloads →
Your ballot
Party
Sample ballot at NM SoS ↗
Topicshowing all — tap to filter

Governor

5 candidates

Deb Haaland

DEM

Sam Bregman

DEM

Doug Turner

REP

Duke Rodriguez

REP

Gregg Hull

REP

U.S. Senate

3 candidates

Ben Ray Luján

DEM

Matt Dodson

DEM

Larry E Marker

REP

U.S. House CD1

2 candidates

Melanie Ann Stansbury

DEM

Ndidiamaka Ekwua Charlene Okpareke

REP

Lieutenant Governor

1 candidate

Maggie Toulouse Oliver

DEM

Attorney General

2 candidates

Raul Torrez

DEM

Samuel Isaiah Kane Sr

REP

Secretary of State

3 candidates

Amanda López Askin

DEM

Katharine E Clark

DEM

Ramona L Goolsby

REP

State Auditor

1 candidate

Joseph M Maestas

DEM

Commissioner of Public Lands

4 candidates

Jonas Moya

DEM

Juan de Jesus Sanchez III

DEM

Matthew McQueen

DEM

Michael Jack Perry

REP

State House D10

1 candidate

G Andres Romero

DEM

State House D11

1 candidate

Javier I Martinez

DEM

State House D12

1 candidate

Art De La Cruz

DEM

State House D13

2 candidates

Matthew E Archuleta

DEM

Patricia A Roybal Caballero

DEM

State House D14

1 candidate

Joseph M Romero

DEM

State House D16

1 candidate

Marsella Duarte Serna

DEM

State House D19

1 candidate

Janelle I Anyanonu

DEM

State House D20

1 candidate

Meredith A Dixon

DEM

State House D21

1 candidate

Debra Marie Sarinana

DEM

State House D22

1 candidate

Stefani Lord

REP

State House D23

1 candidate

Alan T Martinez

REP

State House D25

1 candidate

Cristina S Parajon

DEM

State House D27

2 candidates

Marian Matthews

DEM

Robert S Godshall

REP

State House D28

1 candidate

Pamelya Paulette Herndon

DEM

State House D29

1 candidate

Joy Garratt

DEM

State House D44

1 candidate

Kathleen M Cates

DEM

State House D57

1 candidate

Catherine Jeanette Cullen

REP

State House D60

2 candidates

Joshua N Hernandez

REP

Zachary David Anaya

REP

County Commissioner, Bernalillo D5

2 candidates

Byron K Powdrell

DEM

Eric Olivas

DEM

County Sheriff, Bernalillo

2 candidates

John D Allen

DEM

Philip A Snedeker

DEM

County Sheriff, Sandoval

5 candidates

John Paul Trujillo

DEM

Jose Eloy Gonzales Jr

DEM

Martin M Arellano

DEM

Alvin Eric Miller

REP

Victor J Rodriguez

REP
How to read the ratings

Positive — evidence the mechanism tends to work.

Negative — evidence it tends not to, or backfires.

Mixed — effects cut both ways or are contested.

Position / GoalStated position / Broad goal — no testable mechanism, so no rating.

The colored dots double as confidence (3 filled = High, 2 = Moderate, 1 = Low) — how much the rating can be trusted, in the same color as its direction.