New Mexico GOP primary election candidates met in Artesia. Here’s who was there

(left to right) Larry Marker, Greg Cunningham, Peyton Yates, Doug Turner and David Gallegos at a campaign event in Artesia.

Photos by Adrian Hedden

Ahead of the June 2 Primary Election in New Mexico, a gathering of Republican leaders and candidates met in Artesia, March 18, 2026 at Kith and Kin.

In attendance were gubernatorial candidate Doug Turner, Lt. governor candidate David Gallegos, candidate for U.S. Representative Gregory Cunningham, State Sen. Jim Townsend (R-34) and State Reps. Jon Henry (R-54) and Cathrynn Brown (R-55).

Local residents and political leaders attend a GOP campaign event at Kith and Kin.

Both Republican and Democratic voters will select their nominees in the Primary Election, to go onto the General Election against the opposing party to win the post.

At the Artesia gathering, candidates expressed a need for rural conservative areas in the southeast region of New Mexico to “get out” and vote to overcome ballots from the more densely-populated, Democrat-leaning urban areas of the state.

Check back later with artesianews.com for more coverage on the event.

New Mexico Sen. David Gallegos, who is running for lieutenant governor in 2026, speaks to a group of voters, March 18, 2026 in Artesia.
New Mexico Sen. Jim Townsend attends a public gathering of candidates for public office held in Artesia.
Candidate for U.S. Senate Larry Marker addresses the crowd at Kith and Kin.
Candidate for U.S. representative Greg Cunningham speaks at a gathering of Republican political leaders, March 18, 2026 at Kith and Kin.

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