Maestas and Lawrence Will Seek State Auditor Position
New Mexico voters will choose between Joseph Maestas and Joshua James Lawrence for the state auditor role in November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Government
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Candidates Joseph Maestas and Joshua James Lawrence are competing for the New Mexico state auditor seat in the November 2026 election. The position oversees a $6.3 million office budget and is responsible for auditing public entities and government departments.
Why it matters
The race centers on addressing government accountability, fraud, and waste, particularly following reports of more than $4.2 million in misspending by the Children, Youth and Families Department. Voters must decide which approach to oversight best addresses these financial concerns.
The New Mexico state auditor serves a four-year term with an annual salary of $144,714. The office currently manages a total operating budget of $6.3 million.
The players
Joseph Maestas
He is the incumbent New Mexico state auditor who previously served as the mayor of Española.
Joshua James Lawrence
He is a political candidate who has previously sought the offices of Bernalillo County sheriff and New Mexico governor.
The details
Incumbent Joseph Maestas, who served as mayor of Española from 2006 to 2010, plans to request additional recurring revenue for the auditor office if re-elected. Opponent Joshua James Lawrence, who previously ran for Bernalillo County sheriff and governor, has pledged to conduct audits of all state departments.
Timeline
Joseph Maestas served as the mayor of Española from 2006 to 2010.
Joshua James Lawrence ran for Bernalillo County sheriff in 2022.
Joseph Maestas began his term as state auditor in 2023.
A special audit of the Children, Youth and Families Department occurred in February 2026.
The state will release a report on opioid settlement funds in July 2026.
Political Context
This election follows the implementation of the New Mexico state auditor oversight mandate, which requires rigorous examination of agency spending. Opposition voices argue that the current office requires a complete overhaul to improve transparency and fiscal discipline.
The outcome of this election determines which candidate will lead the oversight of public tax dollars and investigations into agency misspending. Residents should monitor the candidate plans for managing the $4.2 million shortfall in the Children, Youth and Families Department.
The takeaway
Voters are evaluating two distinct strategies for auditing state entities ahead of the November 2026 election. Understanding the financial oversight capabilities of the state auditor is essential for assessing the impact of this local government race.
Further reading
For more information on the election process, visit the New Mexico Government section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Abqjournal.
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Do you trust that regular government audits effectively prevent fraud and waste in your area?
