Republican governor candidates face off in debate ahead of New Mexico primary

Three Republican candidates are competing for the New Mexico gubernatorial nomination in a televised debate on May 19, hosted by KRQE. The candidates include Duke Rodriguez, CEO of Ultra Health, Doug Turner, founder of Agenda Global, and Gregg Hull, the three-time mayor of Rio Rancho. The debate will be split into three topics, with each candidate given one minute to answer opening questions before KRQE anchors Dean Staley and Jessica Garate facilitate deeper discussion. The debate follows a structured format: candidates will respond to questions, engage with one another, and deliver one-minute closing statements at the end. The order of responses was determined by a random drawing. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with a pre-show special at 5:30 p.m. and a post-show discussion afterward. Both the pre-show and post-show will be available exclusively on the KRQE NOW app and YouTube. The debate aims to provide voters with direct comparisons between the candidates ahead of the primary election. KRQE will moderate the discussion, ensuring candidates address key issues while allowing for interactive exchanges. The event will be streamed live, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers across New Mexico. New Mexico’s primary election season is in full swing, and this debate marks a critical moment for Republican voters to evaluate their choices. The candidates’ responses will likely shape public perception as they vie for the nomination. The debate’s format is designed to encourage transparency and accountability, with moderators pushing for detailed and direct answers.