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First Ireland, now Mexico: Governor stays busy with trade missions as her tenure nears its end
Separate trips mark Lujan Grisham's latest international travel aimed at bolstering state's economy
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SANTA FE 鈥� Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham traveled to Mexico City this week for a trade mission aimed at setting in motion natural gas export deals before the governor leaves office at the end of this year.
Lujan Grisham, who has traveled abroad extensively during her second term, left New Mexico on Tuesday for her latest trip, which is being paid for by state taxpayer funds.
The trip comes less than two weeks after a six-day trade mission to Ireland to explore possible economic opportunities. The cost of that trip was covered by the New Mexico Partnership, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit group that focuses on business recruitment efforts.
While in Mexico, the governor plans to meet with Mexican government, business and energy officials about possible natural gas export deals, according to the Governor鈥檚 Office.
New Mexico was the natural gas-producing state in 2025, providing about 8.7% of the nation鈥檚 total natural gas withdrawals, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data.
Only Texas and Pennsylvania produced more natural gas than New Mexico, which has seen its monthly double since June 2021.
But New Mexico at times has dealt with a glut of natural gas in past years, and Lujan Grisham has said the state might have to increase its pipeline infrastructure to grow its export ability.
The governor has also touted Japan as a possible market for natural gas produced in New Mexico, though such a plan could require new pipelines in order to ship natural gas from ports along the coast of Mexico.
Meanwhile, this week鈥檚 trip also marks Lujan Grisham鈥檚 second official trip to Mexico as governor. She also traveled to Mexico in 2024.
The other members of the state鈥檚 Mexico trade mission delegation are Economic Development Secretary Rob Black and the governor鈥檚 deputy chief of operations, Caroline Buerkle, according to the Governor鈥檚 Office. The group is scheduled to return to New Mexico on Sept. 15.
Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, is barred under the state Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term as governor. Voters will decide whether Democrat Deb Haaland or Republican Gregg Hull should be the state鈥檚 next governor in the November general election.
Under the state Constitution, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will serve as acting governor while Lujan Grisham is traveling outside the state.
Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on Twitter at @DanBoydNM or reach him at dboyd@abqjournal.com.
