Rio Rancho’s longest-serving mayor passes the gavel, sets sights on governor’s race

The tributes ran long and the tears came easy as Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull gaveled out of office April 23 as the city’s longest-serving mayor.

Hull addressed the Governing Body for the final time, citing road reconstruction, the city’s aquifer recharge facility, a new permanent fund and a strengthened partnership with Intel Corporation among his administration’s signature achievements. “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hull said. He welcomed Mayor-elect Paul Wymer, calling on residents to support his successor.

A city transformed

Hull took office in 2014 inheriting a city still digging out from the recession — stalled road repairs, flat business development and an Intel Corporation that, by his own account, had “one foot out the door.” Over three terms, he and successive city councils passed road bonds that paved more than 38 major roadways, secured public safety bonds and recruited businesses that helped make Rio Rancho the fastest-growing city in New Mexico. Intel stayed and expanded.

State Sen. Jay Block, who said he first met Hull over breakfast 11 years ago as Block was leaving active duty in the Air Force, offered some of the evening’s most pointed praise. “This mayor goes up to Santa Fe every 30- and 60-day session and advocates very, very hard for the city and the people of Rio Rancho — not on his behalf, but on our behalf,” Block said. He closed with a send-off that drew applause: “The people of New Mexico may take you out of Rio Rancho. But Rio Rancho will never leave you.”

A legislative send-off

State Rep. Joshua Hernandez, who presented Hull with a legislative certificate from New Mexico, offered a more personal tribute rooted in years of shared work. “Twelve years ago, Rio Rancho took a chance on a guy with big ideas about what this city could become,” Hernandez said. “Today, we’re stronger, more connected and more ambitious because of it.” Hernandez said he and Hull had logged eight campaigns together and likely more than 100,000 minutes on the phone. “The roads, the parks, the businesses that chose us, the neighborhoods that grew up under your watch — they’ll go down in the history books,” he said.

Hull credited the city’s progress to a collective effort. “None of these accomplishments happened because of one person,” he said, thanking city staff, first responders and his wife, Carrie, whom he called “the mayor behind the mayor.”

Eyes on the Roundhouse

Speakers throughout the evening shared their support for Hull’s 2026 governor’s campaign. Hull faces Duke Rodriguez and Doug Turner in the Republican primary June 2. On the Democratic side, Sam Bregman faces former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The general election is Nov. 3.

“We know that you’re going to be the next governor,” said resident Lawrence Griego. Mayor-elect Wymer, who defeated Alexandria Piland in the April 14 runoff to succeed Hull, echoed the sentiment on the record. “On to the Roundhouse, Mr. Governor,” Wymer said.

Hull said his path to the mayor’s office wasn’t planned — and neither was this one. “My first blush, it was no — not really on the bucket list,” he told The 528 in March. “And then I thought to myself, wow, that’s exactly what I said when I ran for mayor the first time.”

What’s next for Rio Rancho — and Gregg Hull

• New mayor: Paul Wymer sworn in April 30
• 2026 Republican governor’s primary: June 2 — Gregg Hull vs. Duke Rodriguez vs. Doug Turner
• 2026 Democratic governor’s primary: June 2 — Sam Bregman vs. Deb Haaland
• General election: Nov. 3