Biggest governor landslides in New Mexico

The most lopsided races for governor of New Mexico, ranked by the winner’s margin over the runner-up.

The biggest landslide in a New Mexico governor’s race was in 2006, a margin of 37.6 points. Bill Richardson beat John Dendahl, 384,806 to 174,364. Next widest are 1964 (20.4 points) and 2002 (16.4 points).

Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race New Mexico has held, special elections included, see the New Mexico governor hub.

What is the biggest landslide in a New Mexico governor’s race?

The widest margin in a New Mexico gubernatorial general election came in 2006, 37.6 points. Bill Richardson beat John Dendahl, 384,806 to 174,364. Next are 1964 (20.4 points) and 2002 (16.4 points).

Why do some huge wins not appear?

A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.

Does this include recalls and special elections?

No, only regular general elections for governor. The New Mexico governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.

Biggest governor landslides in New Mexico
#ElectionResultVotesMargin
12006Bill Richardson D def. John Dendahl R384,806 – 174,364+37.6 points
21964Jack M. Campbell D def. Merle H. Tucker R191,497 – 126,540+20.4 points
32002Bill Richardson D def. John Sanchez R268,693 – 189,074+16.4 points
41936Clyde Tingley D def. Jaffa Miller R98,089 – 72,511+15.0 points
52014Susana Martinez R def. Gary King D293,443 – 219,362+14.4 points
62018Michelle Lujan Grisham D def. Steve Pearce R398,368 – 298,091+14.4 points
71954John F. Simms D def. Alvin Stockton R110,583 – 83,373+14.0 points
81928Richard C. Dillon R def. Robert C. Dow D65,967 – 52,550+11.3 points
91940John E. Miles D def. Mauricio F. Miera R103,035 – 82,306+11.2 points
101932Arthur Seligman D def. Richard C. Dillon R83,612 – 67,406+10.6 points
111922James F. Hinkle D def. Charles Lee Hill R60,317 – 49,363+9.9 points
121994Gary Johnson R def. Bruce King D232,945 – 186,686+9.9 points
131990Bruce King D def. Frank Bond R224,564 – 185,692+9.5 points
141948Thomas J. Mabry D def. Manuel Lujan Sr. R103,969 – 86,023+9.4 points
151942John J. Dempsey D def. Joseph F. Tondre R59,258 – 49,380+9.1 points
161998Gary Johnson R def. Martin Chávez D271,948 – 226,755+9.1 points
171952Edwin L. Mechem R def. Everett Grantham D129,116 – 111,034+7.5 points
181950Edwin L. Mechem R def. John E. Miles D96,846 – 83,359+7.5 points
192010Susana Martinez R def. Diane Denish D321,219 – 280,614+6.7 points
201930Arthur Seligman D def. Clarence M. Botts R62,789 – 55,026+6.6 points
212022Michelle Lujan Grisham D def. Mark V Ronchetti R370,168 – 324,701+6.4 points
221986Garrey Carruthers R def. Ray Powell D209,455 – 185,378+6.1 points
231962Jack M. Campbell D def. Edwin L. Mechem R130,933 – 116,174+6.0 points
241982Toney Anaya D def. John B. Irick R215,840 – 191,626+5.9 points
251946Thomas J. Mabry D def. Edward L. Safford R70,055 – 62,575+5.6 points

How this ranking is measured

Gubernatorial general elections in New Mexico, ranked by the largest gap in vote share between the top two finishers, widest 25 shown. Served from the governor_race_margin materialized view. A qualifying race needs a genuine second-place finisher with at least 5% of the vote, and at least 1,000 votes between the top two. Recalls and special elections are excluded; the state hub lists those. The national list applies a 50,000-vote floor, so an early race can appear here and not there.

Compiled by PolitiFinder · published June 14, 2026 · sources: Data & sources · data last verified September 25, 2026.