Four New Mexico candidates disqualified after failing to meet ballot requirements

This is a few weeks old but hopeful that the Dems can pick up some seats.

www.abqjournal.com/news/four-ne...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2026-02-20T00:46:56.353Z

Four New Mexico candidates disqualified after failing to meet ballot requirements
Rulings could mean easier paths to reelection for some New Mexico incumbents
Belinda Robertson, a Republican gubernatorial candidate from Las Cruces, files the paperwork for her campaign at the Secretary of State Office in Santa Fe last week. Robertson was one of the six candidates disqualified Tuesday by the secretary of state for failing to meet ballot requirements. Eddie Moore/Journal
Dan Boyd
Dan Boyd Journal Capitol Bureau
Published February 10, 2026 - 6:18 p.m. Modified February 11, 2026 - 11:35 a.m.

SANTA FE — If he rebuffs a primary challenge, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján is set to avoid a Republican opponent in his bid for a second term, after a potential GOP opponent was disqualified Tuesday for failing to meet ballot requirements.

The disqualification of Republican candidate Christopher Vanden Heuvel of Rio Rancho means that for the first time in modern state history the state's general election ballot for a U.S. Senate race will have only one major party candidate.

In all, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver ruled four candidates did not turn in enough qualified voter signatures to appear on the June primary election ballot.

In addition to Vanden Heuvel, other disqualified candidates include Republican Carlton Pennington of Moriarty in the 1st Congressional District race and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Belinda Robertson of Las Cruces.

In addition, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., will avoid a primary election challenge from fellow Democrat Thomas Wakely of Columbus after Wakely was disqualified from the ballot. Vasquez would face the winner of a GOP primary contest between Gregory Cunningham and Jose Orozco, both of Albuquerque, in the November general election.....................