Amanda López Askin, a Democrat who has served as the Doña Ana County Clerk since 2018, has officially launched her campaign for New Mexico’s Secretary of State. Her announcement, made Wednesday, positions her as the first candidate to declare for the 2026 election for the state’s top election office.
The current Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, has completed two consecutive terms and is unable to run for re-election. The Secretary of State holds significant responsibilities, including overseeing elections, enforcing ethics, and maintaining official state records. The office is third in line for gubernatorial succession, following the governor and lieutenant governor.
López Askin’s political career began in 2018 when she was appointed to the county clerk position by Doña Ana County commissioners, just two months before the midterm elections. She has since been re-elected twice, most recently in 2024, further solidifying her position as a trusted leader in her county.
Despite her new campaign, López Askin will continue to serve as the Doña Ana County Clerk. In an interview with Source, she explained that she will balance her duties by working extended hours, including evenings and weekends, and will rely on Deputy County Clerk Caroline Zamora to assist in managing the office’s operations.
“I’m committed to serving both roles. The work doesn’t stop, and I’ll be putting in extra hours to ensure everything runs smoothly while I focus on the campaign,” López Askin stated.
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A staunch advocate for voting rights, López Askin expressed her determination to combat federal proposals that could undermine the electoral process, such as the recent bill passed by House Republicans requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and efforts by the Trump Administration to overhaul election rules.
“It’s more crucial than ever to safeguard the right to vote,” she said. “I’ve faced numerous challenges, including election deniers and even litigation. But each time, I’ve stood firm and defended the integrity of our elections.”
One of the most intense challenges López Askin faced was a death threat from former Republican candidate Solomon Peña, who was arrested for allegedly orchestrating shootings at the homes of four Democratic politicians after losing a New Mexico House race.
López Askin holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and a PhD in educational leadership from New Mexico State University. As of her campaign’s latest finance filings, she has just under $19,000 in available funds, transferred from her previous county clerk campaign.
Her bid for Secretary of State is already garnering attention, and it remains to be seen how her extensive experience in election administration will resonate with voters in the upcoming race.
