Sam Bregman
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman said today that the surge in oil and gas prices and the revenue generated to New Mexico’s state government coffers due to the ongoing Iran conflict presents a rare opportunity to directly help New Mexico families. He is proposing a plan to send reimbursements of up to $500 per family member to New Mexico families earning less than $200,000 per year, using the unexpected revenue windfall.
Global oil prices have surged since the outbreak of Donald Trump’s war in Iran, benefiting major energy-producing states like New Mexico and generating a massive boost in state revenues. Energy analysts and economists say the conflict has driven sharp volatility and higher prices in global oil markets, delivering a financial windfall to oil-producing regions.
Bregman said the state has already seen tens of millions of dollars in additional oil and gas revenue, which ultimately could be $1 billion or more, tied to the spike in prices, directly attributable to the Iran War. The war has driven gas prices up by 60 to 80 cents per gallon on average, with possible further increases coming.
“Given this windfall revenue to our state government, New Mexicans deserve to be reimbursed for the higher prices they are paying,” Bregman said. “While Trump’s illegal war in Iran has driven oil prices higher and boosted our state’s revenue, too many families are still struggling to pay for groceries, rent, and gas. When I am Governor, I will return a portion of this surplus directly to the people.”
Under Bregman’s proposal, the state would allocate a portion of the unexpected oil and gas revenue as a direct reimbursement of up to $500 per person for New Mexico families earning less than $200,000 per year, helping working families and those on fixed incomes cope with rising costs fueled by global shortages and instability.
“New Mexico’s natural resources belong to the people,” Bregman said. “When revenues surge because of international events beyond our control, the people of our state should benefit, especially when they are paying higher prices because of those events.”
At the same time, Bregman sharply criticized the handling of the war by Trump, saying the conflict has been marked by troubling decisions and a lack of accountability.
Bregman said leadership requires both moral clarity and responsible economic stewardship.
“We can oppose reckless military actions and still ensure New Mexicans benefit from the resources produced in our state,” he said. “As governor, my job is to stand up for New Mexico families first.”
Bregman emphasized that his proposed stipend would not come at the expense of essential services such as education, healthcare, or public safety.
“This is about returning to the people the extraordinary revenue generated during an extraordinary moment,” he said. “When the New Mexico state government treasury prospers, the people of New Mexico should prosper too.”
Bregman is currently traveling the state meeting with voters and discussing his vision for strengthening New Mexico’s economy, improving public safety, and ensuring the state’s energy wealth benefits every resident.
“New Mexico has the resources to take care of its people,” Bregman said. “What we will need is the leadership to do it. And by capping the income of those eligible to receive this rebate at $200,000, we can provide more money to those who most need the assistance in dealing with high prices.”