Santa Fe, NM — Today, State Senator Harold Pope Jr. (D-Albuquerque) announced his 2026 candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. He is a Colorado native who only narrowly won re-election to Senate District 23. This is no surprise, as his work in the legislature has largely promoted progressive ideology. Despite holding radical views out of touch with most New Mexicans, he now thinks he deserves a promotion… New Mexico voters are smarter than this.
In response to the announcement, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has issued the following statement:
"Harold Pope is not the type of leadership New Mexicans need nor deserve." Senator Sharer continued, "His sponsored legislation and voting record speaks for itself, and he represents an increasingly out-of-touch ideology that New Mexicans reject:
He voted for Senate Bill 258 that aimed to mandate inappropriate sexual education to students as young as 11 years old.
He backed House Bill 64 which sought to use taxpayer dollars to pay for college for illegal immigrants.
He supported 2024's Senate Bill 3 which would have imposed a huge tax increase on New Mexico workers and employers.
He introduced Senate Bill 77 which would have forced socialized housing in New Mexico.
He championed Senate Joint Resolution 4 which would have enshrined the radical green agenda and would destroy virtually all industry and growth in the state.
These examples—and many others—demonstrate why Harold Pope would send our state in the completely wrong direction. Instead, New Mexicans deserve common sense leadership that prioritizes real solutions over radical leftist ideology."
