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The total number of New Mexico state representatives in contested primaries has increased for the fifth year in a row


New Mexico is holding elections for all 70 seats in its state House this year. New Mexico doesn’t hold state Senate elections during midterm election years. 

Here’s a look at how New Mexico’s 2026 state House elections compare to previous years. 

There are 64 incumbents running for re-election, of whom 13 (20.3%) are contested in primaries. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the total number of contested incumbents facing primary challengers has increased.

As the number of incumbents facing primary challengers has increased, the number of retiring incumbents has decreased. Six incumbents– three Democrats and three Republicans are not running for re-election this year. This leaves six open seats, the fewest since 2010, when there were three. 

Out of 140 possible primaries, there are 17 contested primaries (12.1%) – 14 Democratic and three Republican.

A total of 123 candidates are running for New Mexico’s state House in 2026. There are 71 Democrats running and 52 Republicans running. An average of 71 Democrats and 57 Republicans ran in even years between 2010 and 2024.

New Mexico has a Democratic trifecta. This means Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the state legislature and the governor is a Democrat.