Torrez Wins Second Term as New Mexico Attorney General
Democrat Raúl Torrez defeated Republican Samuel Kane to keep the state's top law enforcement post.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Raúl Torrez won a second term as New Mexico attorney general, defeating Republican challenger Samuel Kane, a Las Cruces attorney. Torrez, 50, has served in the office since January 2023, succeeding Hector Balderas, who was term-limited.
Why it matters
The result keeps the attorney general's office under continuity as it pursues high-profile litigation against major technology companies. Torrez's office led the case in which a Santa Fe jury found Meta violated the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
Torrez is a former federal prosecutor and Bernalillo County district attorney who began that role in January 2017 and won the 2022 Democratic nomination over Brian Colón. The extraction does not provide vote totals or the margin of victory.
The players
Raúl Torrez
Raúl Torrez is New Mexico's attorney general, a former federal prosecutor and Bernalillo County district attorney who has led the state's case against Meta.
Samuel Kane
Samuel Kane is a Las Cruces attorney who ran as the Republican challenger for New Mexico attorney general in 2026.
Meta
Meta is the technology company whose platforms were found by a Santa Fe jury to have violated New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act, with the judge ordering it to pay the state $25 billion.
The details
Torrez defeated Kane in the general election to win a second four-year term leading the state's chief legal office. The victory comes as Torrez's office is also pursuing a case against Meta, where a Santa Fe jury in September found the company violated the state's consumer protection law.
Timeline
January 2017: Torrez begins serving as Bernalillo County district attorney.
2022: Torrez wins the Democratic attorney general nomination over Brian Colón.
January 2023: Torrez takes office as New Mexico attorney general.
September 2026: A Santa Fe jury finds Meta violated the New Mexico Unfair Practices Act.
November 4, 2026: Torrez wins re-election.
Legal Context
Torrez's re-election keeps in place the official who brought the state's consumer protection case against Meta, which culminated in a Santa Fe jury verdict under the Unfair Practices Act. The judge's $25 billion award against Meta is one of the largest state penalties of its kind tied to a single attorney general's litigation.
Torrez's second term sets the direction for enforcement actions in New Mexico, including consumer protection cases involving large technology platforms. Residents affected by such litigation may see continued state action under the same office.
The takeaway
Continuity in the attorney general's office means ongoing state litigation against major technology companies is likely to continue under the same leadership. Voters who follow state enforcement can track those cases through the office's public filings.
Further reading
Explore more on the Elections section for context on New Mexico's statewide races.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Abqjournal.
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