Haaland’s Campaign Spending Tops $19 Million

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland has spent nearly $19.6 million on her campaign since launching her bid in February 2025. This figure places the race on track to become the most expensive in New Mexico history. According to final campaign reports filed before Election Day, Haaland raised more than $1.3 million during the most recent three-week period. She spent approximately $3.2 million in that same timeframe. Her total contributions since the start of the campaign stand at about $20.5 million.

Republican opponent Gregg Hull has spent slightly more than $2.6 million on his campaign. In the same three-week reporting period, Hull raised about $349,000 and spent roughly $622,000. Those funds went toward television ads, consultants, and other expenses. Hull, who served as Rio Rancho mayor for 12 years before leaving the post earlier this year, says his campaign focuses on local support. He stated that more than 95% of his donors are from within New Mexico. "It’s by design," Hull said. "We have made our campaign about being in New Mexico."

Haaland has drawn criticism from Republicans over her fundraising strategy, particularly the volume of donations from outside the state. An analysis conducted last month determined that out-of-state contributions made up 65% of her total haul at that time. Her donors include Native American tribes, musicians, and Oracle America, the Texas-based software company involved in the Project Jupiter data center campus in southern New Mexico. Haaland said she is grateful for the support given the high costs of modern elections. "Even though I have gotten a number of out-of-state donations … I’ve also gotten more contributions from within New Mexico," she said. She noted that she has received tremendous grassroots support from voters in the state.

The spending in this year’s gubernatorial race does not include money spent by independent groups. One such group, Affordable NM, reported receiving more than $1.5 million from the Washington D.C.-based Democratic Governors Association this week. The group has received nearly $2.3 million in total contributions this cycle. It has spent nearly all of that money on television ads and other expenses. Affordable NM has launched ads criticizing Hull. The Secretary of State’s Office holds these reports. Another final fundraising report is due after Election Day next week.

This year’s spending has already matched the total candidate expenditures from the 2022 race. In that contest, outgoing Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham spent roughly $13 million to win reelection. Republican Mark Ronchetti spent more than $9 million. The current figures for Haaland and Hull exceed those individual totals before the final reporting period concludes. The race for governor remains the centerpiece of this year’s state elections.