Larry Marker (also known as 'Lead' Marker) is a 62-year-old former oil and gas operator from Roswell, New Mexico, who now works as a building contractor. He describes himself as a 'Christian conservative' aligned with patriot movement ideologies. Marker has run for elected office multiple times without success: he lost a Republican primary for state Senate District 27 in 2024 (finishing third) and ran as an independent/Libertarian write-in candidate for State Commissioner of Public Lands in 2022 (receiving 3,950 votes, less than 1% of ballots cast). In 2026, Marker became the Republican Party's write-in candidate for U.S. Senate after the initial Republican nominee was disqualified and other prospective candidates failed to qualify. He must receive at least 2,351 write-in votes in the June 2 primary to advance to the general election.
Marker is a business owner in Roswell with roots in the oil and gas industry. He has been active in conservative litigation against state and local officials, including Governor Lujan Grisham and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. His record of political activism and candidacies suggests commitment to Republican causes, despite never winning an election. He appears to have shifted from libertarian-leaning positions (his 2022 independent write-in campaign) to more mainstream Republican positioning.
Opposes what he sees as overregulation and government expansion
Has signed onto multiple lawsuits against Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. Believes strongly in limiting gubernatorial authority and opposes bills he views as expanding government control, including voting rights and abortion access measures.
Voting History: No voting record as he has not held elected office
Opposes both abortion rights and gender-affirming care
Has sought to block implementation of laws passed by the Legislature related to voting rights protections and abortion services/gender-affirming care access
Voting History: No voting record as he has not held elected office
Supports Trump administration policies despite Trump's unpopularity in New Mexico
Identifies with Trump's policy agenda but distances himself from Trump's personality. Has posed for photos with Steve Bannon and Mike Lindell at conservative events.
Voting History: No voting record as he has not held elected office
Marker has never held elected office and therefore has no voting record in government.
Marker's public statements and social media presence emphasize strong conservative and 'patriot' positioning. He uses direct, combative language when discussing government, calling it 'a cancer' and arguing the time for 'statesmen' has passed.
Posted photos of himself posing with Steve Bannon (Trump advisor and right-wing media influencer) and Mike Lindell at the Concerned Citizens of New Mexico Convention
Documented alignment with Trump-adjacent conservative figures
View post →Marker was the only Republican who could qualify as a write-in candidate, indicating a weak bench of Republican talent in New Mexico
After the initial Republican candidate was disqualified, Republicans struggled to find any viable alternative. Marker finally qualified as a write-in candidate just before the March 17 deadline.