Debra Anne “Deb” Haaland (born December 2, 1960) is a seasoned public servant, trailblazing leader, and Democratic candidate for Governor of New Mexico in 2026. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and grew up in a military family, attending 13 different public schools before graduating from Highland High School in Albuquerque. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and later a J.D. from the University of New Mexico. Haaland’s career in public life began at the state level — including serving as Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party — and later as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District from 2019 to 2021, where she helped advocate for progressive priorities. She made history in the Biden administration as the 54th U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2021 to 2025, becoming the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary. In that role she oversaw a workforce of tens of thousands, directed federal policy on public lands, conservation, energy, and tribal affairs, and championed clean-energy jobs and protections for rural water systems. Drawing on this record of leadership and lifelong resilience, Haaland announced her campaign for Governor of New Mexico — seeking to address rising costs, public safety, education, economic opportunity, and quality-of-life challenges facing families across the state, and poised to become the first Native American woman governor in U.S. history if elected.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
Deb Haaland’s gubernatorial campaign emphasizes practical solutions rooted in her experience leading large organizations and fighting for working families:
- Affordable Cost of Living & Economic Opportunity: She has said that rising prices, homelessness, addiction, and public safety issues are putting success out of reach for many New Mexicans — and that government should act to make it easier for families to thrive.
- Education & Workforce Development: Haaland unveiled a comprehensive education plan with backing from major teachers’ unions, focusing on early literacy, universal pre-K, bilingual instruction, career pathways from middle school through high school, community schools with wrap-around services, modernizing school facilities, and expanding college and vocational opportunities.
- Public Safety & Community Well-Being: In her campaign messaging, Haaland stresses the need for safer communities, support for law enforcement and crime-prevention strategies, and policies that protect families across the state.
- Support for Small Business & Rural Economies: She has emphasized expanding opportunities for small businesses and rural communities — especially by creating jobs in clean energy, entrepreneurship, and expanding infrastructure that supports economic growth.
- Health, Addiction & Family Support: Haaland’s campaign highlights the urgent need to address addiction and support families with better access to healthcare, services for struggling communities, and systems that help rather than penalize individuals in crisis.
- Energy & Conservation Balance: As former Interior Secretary, she balanced environmental protection with economic realities — including energy production and conservation — a background she says will inform how she governs New Mexico’s economy.
Historic Significance: If elected, Haaland would be the first Native American woman governor in United States history, further expanding representation for tribal communities and reflecting the cultural diversity of New Mexico.
I understand what it’s like to not be able to make ends meet despite working multiple jobs – it shouldn’t be this way. We need to make groceries, housing, and health care more affordable.
- Deb Haaland