Lujan Grisham Petitions Court Over Records Order
The Governor asks the state Supreme Court to block a district court mandate requiring the release of internal access records.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has petitioned the New Mexico Supreme Court to overturn a district court order requiring her office to produce records. The records in question relate to the criteria used for news briefing access.
Why it matters
The underlying lawsuit, filed by ABQ Raw, alleges that the Governor's Office created specific criteria to exclude the outlet from news conferences. This legal battle centers on transparency regarding how the state manages media access.
Governor Lujan Grisham filed this petition to overturn a mandate issued by the Second Judicial District Court earlier in 2026. The records being sought include internal emails detailing the development of news briefing criteria.
The players
Michelle Lujan Grisham
She is the Governor of New Mexico currently navigating a legal challenge regarding media access to state events.
Beatrice Brickhouse
She is a judge at the Second Judicial District Court who issued the order for the Governor to produce internal records.
ABQ Raw
It is an online news outlet that filed a lawsuit against the Governor's Office alleging discriminatory exclusion from press conferences.
The details
Judge Beatrice Brickhouse previously ordered the Governor's Office to release documents regarding access policies. The Governor's legal team is seeking to block this production in response to the ongoing lawsuit from the media outlet ABQ Raw.
Timeline
Judge Beatrice Brickhouse ordered the release of records during 2026.
Governor Lujan Grisham petitioned the Supreme Court on October 20, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the Governor's move argue that transparency laws mandate the disclosure of how official media access criteria are established. They contend that restricting such information hinders the ability of independent news outlets to hold the executive office accountable.
This ongoing litigation may clarify the standards for media access to government press conferences in New Mexico. Residents and local journalists may see changes in how state briefings are organized based on the final court ruling.
The takeaway
The case highlights the ongoing tension between executive office policies and the public's access to information regarding media credentials. Transparency advocates often monitor such cases to ensure government briefings remain accessible to a diverse range of reporting outlets.
Further reading
For broader context on state legal proceedings, visit New Mexico Law.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Fe New Mexican.
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Should government officials be required to disclose internal records regarding media access to press briefings?
