Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, has announced her candidacy for governor of New Mexico. She committed to addressing issues such as crime, poverty, and economic growth in a YouTube video released on February 11.
"Nothing comes easy moving around a lot as a kid in a military family," said Haaland, Former United States Secretary of the Interior, according to YouTube. "I seized the opportunity to make change. The problems we face now are bigger than ever, and we must be fierce to solve them."
In the video, Haaland shared that her resilience stems from her experiences as a single parent and 35 years of sobriety. She emphasized her efforts in expanding businesses, promoting renewable energy, and creating jobs in New Mexico by plugging old oil wells. Haaland said, "The solutions are there if we are fierce enough to choose them," urging New Mexicans to actively participate in shaping their future.
CAP reports that during her tenure as the 54th U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Haaland made significant progress in conservation and Indigenous rights. Under her leadership, public land co-stewardship agreements with Tribes expanded from 20 to 200 in 2023—the largest increase recorded. She also spearheaded initiatives focused on environmental justice and protecting sacred lands while elevating Indigenous voices within federal decision-making processes.
According to NBC News, Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will not seek re-election due to state law prohibiting governors from serving a third consecutive term. This development positions Haaland as a leading Democratic contender for the governorship. Meanwhile, Senator Martin Heinrich announced his decision to remain in the Senate rather than pursue the gubernatorial race.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Haaland is recognized as the first Native American U.S. Cabinet secretary and is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. A former Congresswoman and state party leader, she is known for championing environmental justice and Indigenous rights.
