Sam Bregman, District Attorney for Bernalillo County, announced his candidacy for governor of New Mexico, emphasizing his intention to address chaos in Washington and protect the state's most vulnerable residents. This announcement was made on his YouTube channel on April 10.
"New Mexico is under attack by Elon Musk, his puppet Donald Trump, and Republicans in Washington," said Bregman, according to YouTube. "To be blunt, people are tired of this garbage. That's why, as governor, my promise to you is that every day, I'll work my ass off to fight for the people of our state."
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) 2023 Crime in the Nation Statistics, New Mexico continues to face a violent crime rate significantly higher than the national average. While there was a national decrease in violent crime by an estimated 3.0% in 2023 compared to 2022, New Mexico's rate remains elevated. This ongoing issue presents challenges for law enforcement and policymakers in effectively addressing crime within the state. The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce violence in New Mexico.
A report by the Association of Health Care Journalists from 2024 indicates that approximately 9% of New Mexico residents are uninsured. The report points out significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups, with American Indian/Alaska Native residents experiencing an uninsured rate of 21.1%, Hispanic residents at 12.3%, and White residents at 6.9%. These disparities highlight systemic challenges in achieving equitable healthcare access across the state's diverse populations, underscoring the importance of targeted healthcare policies.
As reported by the Associated Press, Bregman has prioritized addressing high crime rates in Albuquerque since his appointment as Bernalillo County District Attorney in 2023. His initiatives include forming a special unit to combat gun violence and securing over 300 murder convictions. Bregman's approach aims to enhance public safety and restore community trust in the criminal justice system.
According to his website, Bregman is a veteran prosecutor and public servant with over three decades of legal experience in New Mexico. A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law, he began his career as an Assistant District Attorney and later served on the Albuquerque City Council, where he introduced the state’s first hate crime ordinance and championed the SANE program for sexual assault survivors.
