January 23, 2026
New polling from RABA Research shows strong opposition from New Mexico voters to Bureau of Land Management Director nominee Steve Pearce and a clear political upside for senators who vote against his confirmation. The poll included 501 interviews among voters in New Mexico and was conducted January 20-21, 2026, via an online survey.
New Mexico Voters Strongly Oppose Steve Pearce and Reward Senators Who Vote No
New polling shows broad opposition among New Mexico voters to Bureau of Land Management Director nominee Steve Pearce and clear political upside for Senators who oppose his confirmation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 71% oppose Pearce’s nomination (55% strongly oppose); just 26% support. Notably, 59% of Republicans oppose Pearce’s nomination.
- 72% say Pearce’s oil and gas business ties are an inappropriate conflict
- 84% are concerned about impacts to grazing, hunting, and fishing access
- 60% would view New Mexico’s U.S. Senators more favorably for voting against Pearce. Importantly, 48% of Republicans would view Senator Heinrich and Senator Lujan more favorably for opposing Pearce.
Public lands are a consensus issue in New Mexico, and Pearce’s record places him well outside the mainstream.
KEY FINDINGS
Public Lands Unite New Mexico Voters
Voters overwhelmingly view public lands as central to New Mexico’s identity and economy:
- 95% say public lands are important to New Mexico (76% very important)
- 76% say public lands help the economy
- 79% support protecting public lands and keeping them public
Pearce’s Record Is Broadly Rejected
After hearing Pearce’s public lands record:
- 63% disagree with his views (50% strongly disagree)
- 78% oppose removing protections from national monuments
- 71% oppose his confirmation
Clear Political Upside for Voting No
- 60% would view their Senators more favorably for opposing Pearce
- Only 19% would view them less favorably
In New Mexico, opposing Steve Pearce aligns Senators with a broad bipartisan majority and the clear will of voters.