Duke Rodriguez, the president and CEO of Ultra Health – New Mexico’s largest cannabis business – is considering a bid for governor, the Albuquerque Journal reports. Rodriguez, 67, told the Journal he has spoken to national and local Republicans about the viability of a campaign but that he is more than “90% confident” he will join the 2026 race.
“I’m not hiding the fact I’m developing this conversation. It’s a real, honest possibility.” — Rodriguez to the Journal
Rodriguez founded Ultra Health in 2010; the company currently operates 25 dispensaries in the state. He had previously served as secretary of New Mexico’s Human Services Department under former Gov. Gary Johnson and as a senior executive for Lovelace Health System. He indicated he has considered a run for governor “for more than a few decades, but it was never the right time.”
Rodriguez said that he doesn’t “think cannabis ownership is going to be a deciding factor” for voters in the race, even for GOP-leaning voters. He indicated to the Journal that he would propose stronger Medicaid verification and eligibility requirements if elected governor, especially for non-citizens, as officials “have to be responsible about who we insure and how much we insure them.”
The bid may be considered a long shot as the last Republican to win a statewide race in New Mexico was Judith Nakamura in a 2016 Supreme Court Race.
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