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2026 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico
This race is for New Mexico’s Class II seat in the U.S. Senate. It matters because it is one of the Senate seats up in 2026 and will help determine control of the chamber, though current race ratings and the state’s recent voting history suggest Democrats have the advantage. The main contrast so far is between incumbent Sen. Ben Ray Luján, a well-known statewide Democrat, and primary challengers including Matt Dodson on the Democratic side and Larry Marker as a Republican write-in effort.
Candidates
Ben Ray Luján
Ben Ray Luján is the incumbent U.S. senator from New Mexico and is seeking reelection in 2026. He previously served in the U.S. House and has held other leadership roles in Congress, making him the best-known candidate in the race.
Matt Dodson is a Democratic primary challenger to Sen. Ben Ray Luján. Public descriptions identify him as a U.S. Air Force veteran and a democratic socialist; his campaign says it is focused on universal healthcare, opposition to corporate PAC money, and other progressive priorities.
Larry E. Marker is the Republican write-in candidate associated with the 2026 New Mexico Senate race. Available reporting describes him as a former oil and gas operator who was recruited to qualify as a write-in after the party did not have a standard ballot candidate.
Toby Smith is a third-party candidate listed for the general election in New Mexico’s 2026 Senate race. Ballotpedia lists him as the Jewish/Christian National Party nominee, but there is limited public information available about his background.
Data Analysis Information
Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 4/6/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.