Deb Haaland Aims to Become First Native American Woman Governor of New Mexico

Deb Haaland is in the final stretch of a 20-month campaign for governor of New Mexico. At 65, the former U.S. Interior Secretary is running as a Democrat against Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor.

Haaland is a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo and descends from Pueblo runners who delivered secret messages during the 1680 revolt against the Spaniards. If elected, she would become the first Native American woman governor in the United States and the first Pueblo citizen to govern New Mexico.

“I mean, somebody has to be the first. I just don’t want to be the last, right?”

She previously made history in 2018 as one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress and later became the first Native American cabinet secretary. Oklahoma remains the only state to have elected a tribal citizen as governor.

Haaland has built a record-breaking campaign fund and holds a roughly six-point lead over Hull. However, her acceptance of contributions tied to a controversial AI data center and the fossil fuel industry has raised questions about her environmental commitments.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Haaland said somebody has to be the first and she does not want to be the last. She also said she never dreamed of running for office, much less governor.

New Mexico is the country’s second-largest oil producer, and governing the state will require reconciling its dependence on fossil fuels with its environmental future.