Incumbent Republican Edwin L. Mechem ran for reelection to a fourth term against Democrat John Burroughs.

Burroughs narrowly defeated Mechem in the state's closest gubernatorial election since 1924.

Mechem was the last Republican to carry Guadalupe County until Susana Martinez in 2010.

The Democratic primary was won by state representative John Burroughs.

The Republican primary was won by incumbent governor Edwin L. Mechem.