A potential 2028 Democratic kingmaker has advice for candidates

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has a piece of advice for potential Democratic presidential candidates set to visit her state before the 2028 election. Speaking to Semafor, Lujan Grisham, who will be leaving office after the current term, encouraged candidates to prioritize universal childcare in their campaigns. While her state already offers a universal childcare program, she acknowledged that creating a national program might be difficult without raising taxes.

Lujan Grisham suggested that the ideal approach would involve incentives and grants to help states implement such a program effectively.

During her tenure, Lujan Grisham has interacted with several potential presidential candidates who have visited New Mexico, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. These discussions, according to Lujan Grisham, were more focused on policy rather than introductions. The state of New Mexico has been recognized as an early primary state, joining the traditional trio of South Carolina, Nevada, and New Hampshire, which could alter Democrats' strategies in the presidential primary.

Lujan Grisham plans to endorse a candidate from the field, depending on how the race develops. When asked about the criticism aimed at the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) for not increasing its investment in the Texas gubernatorial race, Lujan Grisham defended the DGA's strategy. She argued that the DGA should be spending in all states and has expanded its map, which is unprecedented. Lujan Grisham suggested that focusing on the DGA's actions might not be the most productive approach.