HULL: SNAP, MEDICAID, AND UNIVERSAL CHILDCARE ARE INDICATIVE OF “FAILURE”

The Republican candidate for Governor insults hundreds of thousands of hardworking New Mexicans

ALBUQUERQUE - Last night, the Santa Fe New Mexican broke the story that the Republican candidate for Governor of New Mexico, Gregg Hull, believes that New Mexicans who need SNAP, Medicaid, Universal Childcare, and other social services to make ends meet are part of a “lifestyle,” and that these programs enable “failure.”

While it’s not news that Hull is aligned with President Donald Trump in making drastic and unnecessary cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and Universal Childcare, what is surprising is Hull’s clear disdain and judgment of the New Mexicans who need these programs to make ends meet.

“Gregg Hull is the wrong choice for governor and the wrong choice for New Mexico. When given the chance to retract and clarify his comments, Hull doubled down on his belief that those who need SNAP, Medicaid, and Universal Childcare to get by are embracing a ‘lifestyle,’” said New Mexico Democratic Party Spokeswoman Mila Myles. “This is a dog whistle of epic proportions, demeaning hundreds of thousands of hardworking New Mexican families, and proving that Gregg Hull doesn’t understand the true value of these critical programs. Saying that the families who use SNAP, Medicaid, and Universal Childcare  are ‘failures’ is disqualifying for any candidate running for governor, and all New Mexicans should take note.”

In two separate audio recordings at campaign events in Doña County and Ruidoso, on August 26 and 29, respectively, Hull stated:

Doña County, August 26, 2026: “I support these programs as a helping hand, not as a lifestyle. But we've been convinced that this is a lifestyle, and we just have to accept it as a status quo. And as long as I'm getting these benefits, I don't have to do anything for myself.”

Ruidoso, August 29, 2026: "We can put you on Medicaid. We can put you on SNAP. We can give you free universal child care. My opponent wants to do now free universal health care. I love when they use the word free because I don't think that they know what that word actually means, but the fact of the matter is we empower this type of failure."

Meanwhile, Deb Haaland, a former SNAP and Medicaid recipient, has worked her way up to the highest levels of public service and is laser-focused on implementing her vision for a more affordable New Mexico, investing in healthcare, childcare, and education statewide to benefit all New Mexicans. Read Deb’s affordability plan here.

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