Republican Primary debate: Candidates speak on health and child care

Three Republican candidates for New Mexico governor—Duke Rodriguez, former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, and businessman Doug Turner—participated in a debate hosted by KRQE in Albuquerque on Tuesday night. The candidates focused on the state’s newly implemented universal childcare program, which they criticized for lacking proper infrastructure and means testing. Hull emphasized that New Mexico did not have the necessary systems in place to launch the program effectively, while Turner argued that the legislation failed to target those in genuine need. Rodriguez supported childcare assistance but stressed the importance of legal compliance and stakeholder engagement. The candidates also discussed healthcare challenges, particularly the shortage of physicians in New Mexico. Turner highlighted that his brother, a doctor, left the state for Arizona due to lower taxes and better compensation. Rodriguez proposed eliminating personal income tax and improving education to retain medical professionals, while Hull suggested offering student loan repayment incentives for doctors with debt. All three agreed that medical malpractice costs and legal fees were driving physicians away and called for caps on punitive damages, which were recently approved by state lawmakers. Crime reduction was another key topic, with all candidates pledging to hold criminals accountable while preserving gun rights for law-abiding citizens. Turner noted that doctors in New Mexico struggle financially compared to other states, where they face lower taxes and higher pay. Early voting for the Republican primary ends May 30, with the election scheduled for June 2. The debate covered broader economic concerns, including workforce re-entry through childcare support and incentives to attract skilled professionals to the state.