Duke Rodriguez

Republican

Duke Rodriguez

New Mexico Republican Governor nominee?

$32.9K

JUN 9, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleBusiness executive

PartyRepublican

LocationNew Mexico

BackgroundBusiness executive

Notable personal detailsDuke Rodriguez is an American business executive and political candidate in New Mexico. He is the president and chief executive officer of Ultra Health, a major New Mexico medical cannabis company. He previously served as secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department under Gov. Gary Johnson and has worked as a healthcare executive with Lovelace Health System. In 2025, he entered the Republican primary race for Governor of New Mexico.

SourcesShow

apnews.com nmpoliticalreport.com en.wikipedia.org ultrahealth.com nationaltoday.com globenewswire.com pr.comtex.com yahoo.com sourcenm.com img1.wsimg.com bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com graduation-engineering.unm.edu azcapitoltimes.com thetelegraph.com runwithduke.com newsradiokkob.com abqjournal.com fortune.com durangoherald.com newmexiconewsport.com upenn.edu justice.gov news.unm.edu pinonpost.com thefederalist.com znetwork.org uscatholic.org abcnews.go.com cbsnews.com seattletimes.com washingtonpost.com foxnews.com axios.com cdn.ballotpedia.org fec.gov wikidata.org nga.org

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

The candidate supports reducing government waste and redirecting existing resources rather than raising taxes, and emphasizes free-enterprise and pro-business economic approaches. He proposes fixes to pensions, infrastructure investment, and affordability measures while promoting budget discipline and ‘truth-in-budgeting.’

Healthcare

Supports a state-level guaranteed healthcare proposal for New Mexicans and prioritizes expanding access by recruiting providers, reducing bureaucracy, consolidating systems, and cutting waste; emphasizes strengthening healthcare access and reforming Medicaid/health systems. Proposes measures intended to increase provider supply and improve rural access without raising taxes.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate has not published a clear, comprehensive policy on abortion access. He has said the state should not build abortion clinics and instead focus on primary care clinics, but has not articulated positions on bans, gestational limits, or codifying Roe v. Wade.

Climate & Energy

Supports protecting existing energy jobs while promoting "next‑gen" energy development and emphasizes keeping utilities and fuel affordable. Policy language focuses on workforce and affordability rather than aggressive emissions targets or international climate agreements.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate emphasizes public safety through law enforcement and tougher penalties for repeat offenders, prioritizing enforcement to reduce crime. Campaign materials frame his approach as strengthening enforcement rather than proposing new gun restrictions.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedMay 19, 2026

Duke Rodriguez is in the news as a Republican candidate for New Mexico governor ahead of the June 2 primary. He has also filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s universal child care program, arguing it was launched without proper legislative approval. In the race, he remains one of three GOP contenders, though recent polling has shown Gregg Hull ahead. The candidates have been debating taxes, immigration detention policy, and child care as early voting continues.

apnews.com+36

Articles

AJAlbuquerque Journal20 days ago