NM Democratic governor candidates Haaland, Bregman participate in their only primary election debate

In their sole Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman presented contrasting views on several key issues impacting New Mexico. The debate, held at Central New Mexico Community College, saw candidates respond to questions from advocacy groups on topics ranging from the Trump administration's impact to state-specific concerns. A significant point of divergence was their approach to massive data center projects, such as Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County. Bregman articulated a balanced perspective, acknowledging the economic benefits of data centers, including construction jobs, while stressing the importance of environmental protection and clean energy integration. Haaland, however, expressed skepticism, arguing that data centers often do not prioritize community interests and must strictly adhere to the state's clean energy goals, particularly by avoiding reliance on gas-powered microgrids. The candidates also addressed the contentious issue of water resources, specifically the expansion of "produced water" use from oil and gas operations. Haaland voiced concerns about the unknown chemical composition of produced water, advocating against its use in drinking water supplies until more scientific data is available. Bregman, conversely, likened it to treated wastewater, emphasizing the need for rigorous cleaning and protection of water resources while acknowledging the necessity to develop available water sources. Finally, they discussed a proposed acquisition of PNM, the state's largest electric utility, by a private equity firm. Haaland warned against firms prioritizing shareholders over New Mexico communities, while Bregman focused on the utility's financial needs for renewable energy infrastructure and the importance of preventing rate increases.