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Cannabis Entrepreneur Rodriguez Enters New Mexico Gubernatorial Race
Duke Rodriguez, a prominent cannabis executive and former state cabinet secretary, has announced his bid for the Republican nomination in New Mexico’s upcoming gubernatorial race. Breaking with traditional campaign launches, Rodriguez opted for newspaper advertisements rather than a celebratory event to declare his candidacy.
“I’m not asking for money. I’m asking for a running mate. You,” Rodriguez wrote in the weekend ads, emphasizing his desire to engage directly with voters rather than hosting a formal announcement party. His platform focuses on guaranteeing healthcare access, enhancing education, combating crime, and protecting the state’s public retirement system.
As president and CEO of Ultra Health, New Mexico’s largest medical cannabis company, Rodriguez brings substantial business credentials to the race. His decision to run came after watching the Republican field develop without a candidate he felt was strong enough to support.
“I sat back hoping there would be a stronger candidate that I could support,” Rodriguez told the Albuquerque Journal. “Truthfully, that never happened.”
The cannabis executive joins Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and State Senator Steve Lanier of Aztec in seeking the Republican nomination. Their path to victory faces significant historical challenges in a state that has trended Democratic in recent elections. No Republican has won statewide office in New Mexico since former Supreme Court Justice Judith Nakamura’s victory in 2016.
Meanwhile, a competitive three-way race is developing for the Democratic nomination. The field includes former U.S. Representative and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Albuquerque District Attorney Sam Bregman, and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, who served four terms leading New Mexico’s second-largest city.
Rodriguez brings a diverse professional background to his campaign. Before founding Ultra Health in 2010, he served as secretary of New Mexico’s Human Services Department under former Governor Gary Johnson, who later became a Libertarian presidential candidate. Rodriguez also gained healthcare industry experience as a senior executive for Lovelace Health System before entering the cannabis sector.
Despite his business success, Rodriguez’s candidacy has already faced scrutiny regarding his residency qualifications. New Mexico’s state constitution requires candidates to have “resided continually” in the state for at least five years before being elected to the governorship.
Rodriguez, who maintains homes in both Albuquerque and Scottsdale, Arizona, dismisses these concerns. He contends he has maintained continuous New Mexico residency since first moving to the state as a teenager in 1971, making the constitutional requirement a non-issue in his view.
The cannabis industry leader’s entry into the race adds another dimension to New Mexico politics, where the marijuana business has grown substantially since the state legalized recreational use in 2021. Rodriguez’s Ultra Health has been at the forefront of this expansion, potentially giving him a unique perspective on one of the state’s emerging economic sectors.
As the campaign develops, Rodriguez will need to navigate not only questions about his residency but also the challenges facing a Republican candidate in a state that has increasingly favored Democratic candidates in statewide races. His unconventional campaign launch signals he may take an equally distinctive approach to the race as it unfolds in the coming months.
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18 Comments
Rodriguez’s decision to enter the race speaks to his confidence in his ability to connect with New Mexico voters. But he’ll need to work hard to establish name recognition and distinguish himself in a crowded Republican primary. I’m curious to see how his campaign unfolds.
Absolutely. As a political outsider, he’ll have to make a strong case to primary voters that he’s the best choice to lead the state. His business background and unconventional campaign strategy could be assets, but he’ll also face scrutiny on a range of issues.
It will be interesting to see how Rodriguez’s policy platform evolves as he begins campaigning in earnest. His initial focus on healthcare, education, crime, and pensions sounds fairly mainstream, but his background in cannabis could lead to some unorthodox proposals.
Agreed. As he delves deeper into the issues facing New Mexico, Rodriguez may use his private sector experience to put forward innovative ideas, especially when it comes to revenue generation, economic development, and regulatory approaches.
As a cannabis industry leader, Rodriguez will likely face questions about how his business background and policy positions on that sector could shape his agenda as governor. Voters will be keen to understand his views on marijuana legalization and regulation.
Absolutely. His experience in the cannabis space will be a major part of the conversation, and he’ll need to articulate a clear vision for how that industry would fit into his broader policy platform.
Overall, Rodriguez’s entry into the New Mexico governor’s race adds an interesting dynamic. His cannabis industry experience and willingness to take an untraditional approach could make him a formidable contender, but he’ll need to convince voters that his background and policy ideas are the right fit for the state.
Agreed. It will be fascinating to follow Rodriguez’s campaign and see how his unique perspective and approach resonates with New Mexico voters. The race is shaping up to be a spirited one.
I’m curious to learn more about Rodriguez’s positions on mining, energy, and natural resource issues in New Mexico. As a business leader, he may have a nuanced view on balancing economic development with environmental protection.
Good point. His background in the cannabis industry could give him a unique angle on managing the state’s natural resources and energy needs.
Rodriguez’s decision to run came after concluding the existing Republican field lacked a strong enough candidate. That suggests he sees an opening to position himself as the most viable conservative option. But can he overcome any skepticism from the party establishment?
That’s a fair assessment. As an outsider candidate, Rodriguez may face some resistance from the Republican power brokers in New Mexico. But his business credentials and willingness to chart his own course could resonate with primary voters hungry for a different kind of candidate.
Choosing to announce his candidacy through newspaper ads rather than a big event is an interesting move. It suggests Rodriguez wants to take a more grassroots, direct approach to engaging with voters. Will this untraditional strategy resonate in the state?
It’s a bold move, but could help Rodriguez stand out in a crowded field. Skipping the flashy announcement and focusing on connecting with voters directly may pay off if he can get his message across effectively.
Interesting to see a prominent cannabis entrepreneur entering the New Mexico governor’s race. Rodriguez’s focus on healthcare, education, crime, and pensions seems like a pragmatic platform. His business background could be an asset, but will he be able to appeal beyond the Republican base?
It will be fascinating to see how Rodriguez’s cannabis industry experience shapes his policy proposals. Healthcare and education are key issues, so his perspective could be valuable.
I’m intrigued by Rodriguez’s desire to find a running mate rather than simply pursuing the governorship solo. That collaborative approach could differentiate him from other candidates, but he’ll need to convince voters that he can build an effective governing team.
Good point. Forming a strong ticket with a running mate who complements his skills and background could be a savvy strategy if he can pull it off. It shows he’s thinking beyond just winning the election.