New Mexico Lt Gov Morales Won't Run for Governor

New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales has announced that he will not run for governor in 2026, choosing instead to prioritize spending time with his family during his daughter's final high school years. Morales, who has served as lieutenant governor since 2019 alongside Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, cited the demands of a statewide campaign and his commitment to his children's activities as key reasons for his decision. While stepping back from electoral politics, Morales remains interested in pursuing the presidency of Western New Mexico University, a position that may become available soon. He emphasized that he is not retiring and plans to continue focusing on important state issues such as public safety, mental health, and education during his remaining time in office. Morales also highlighted his ongoing efforts to work with state leaders to expand mental and behavioral health resources. Despite having support to run, he described his choice as a "political pause" and expressed confidence that he and the governor can accomplish significant goals before their term ends.