Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull Says He Secured Ballot Signatures

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull told supporters on December 16 that his campaign had gathered sufficient signatures for him to appear on the ballot for the June 2 Republican gubernatorial primary. Hull, who publicly launched his gubernatorial bid in October, said the nominating petition process was complete well ahead of the February 3 candidate filing deadline.

Hull did not disclose the number of signatures his campaign submitted. New Mexico Secretary of State guidelines set a minimum threshold of 2,351 signatures for Republican candidates seeking statewide office. A spokesperson for the Secretary of State said the office had not received any candidate nominating petitions at that point, leaving the submission and verification process pending with state officials.

The field already includes state Senator Steve Lanier and former cabinet secretary and cannabis industry executive Duke Rodriguez, positioning Hull as a prominent new entrant with ties to the state’s largest suburb. Hull framed his early petition drive as evidence of community support, saying, “I’m grateful to every New Mexican who signed our petition or helped us collect signatures. This early support shows that people want leadership that listens, works hard, and delivers results.”

Hull’s announcement also follows his earlier decision to forgo a fourth term as Rio Rancho mayor in 2026 in order to focus on the statewide campaign. That choice will leave Sandoval County’s largest municipality preparing for a transition in municipal leadership, with implications for local governance and ongoing projects that the mayor’s office oversees.

For Sandoval County voters the immediate implications are twofold. First, the Republican primary contest will gain another candidate with local name recognition and organizational capacity, potentially altering campaign strategy and voter outreach across the county. Second, Rio Rancho’s upcoming mayoral succession will bring city priorities into sharper relief as officials and community groups assess continuity and change at city hall.

The next procedural milestones are the February 3 candidate filing date and the June 2 primary. Voters in Sandoval County and across New Mexico will see petition verification and formal filings determine which candidates appear on the ballot. Observers will watch how signature validation, campaign organization, and messaging shape the contest in the months ahead.