Five candidates vying for NM GOP leadership post — including former party chairwoman

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

The New Mexico Republican Party will elect a new state chair on Saturday amid internal conflicts and a court order removing former chair Amy Barela from her position. The outcome is crucial as the party seeks to unify ahead of the general election, with another leadership vote scheduled for December to establish longer-term leadership.

The New Mexico Republican Party is set to select a new state chair on Saturday in Las Cruces amid ongoing internal disputes and legal challenges that have unsettled the party less than five months before the general election.

This leadership contest follows a recent court order mandating former party chairwoman Amy Barela to step down. The order, issued by District Court Judge Cindy Mercer and upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court after the party’s appeal was denied, came as a result of a lawsuit alleging top GOP officials violated internal party rules designed to maintain neutrality in contested primary races.

Despite the court's directive, Barela is among five candidates competing for the chairmanship. She previously lost her primary bid for the Otero County Commission seat she secured in 2022.

The other contenders are Albuquerque attorney Robert Aragon, who initiated a separate lawsuit aiming to remove Barela; KKOB radio host Brandon Vogt; Zac Anaya of Rio Rancho, who failed to unseat state Rep. Joshua Hernandez in a recent primary; and Valencia County GOP Chairman John Brenna.

Brandon Vogt said he entered the race out of concern over the party’s failure to field an initial candidate against incumbent U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján. After the sole GOP candidate was disqualified, Larry Marker of Roswell ran a successful write-in campaign during the June primary and will appear on the November ballot. Vogt described the party as currently ineffective but pledged to unify GOP members and bolster support for statewide candidates this fall.

John Brenna, a former law enforcement officer, indicated he is negotiating with Robert Aragon regarding a potential alliance to avoid splitting votes. Brenna also emphasized the need to revise party rules and strengthen county-level committees. “We have enough Republicans to win this election — we just have to get them off the couch,” he said, referencing the full slate of statewide offices on the ballot this year.

Zac Anaya, meanwhile, expressed willingness to withdraw his candidacy should the other two candidates reach an agreement, signaling ongoing efforts to consolidate support within the party.

The winner of Saturday’s election may serve only a brief term, as the party plans to hold another leadership vote in December, shortly after the general election, to determine the officers who will guide the party for the next two years.