Deb Haaland, a candidate for governor of New Mexico, recently held a "Union Strong" lunch at her campaign headquarters in Albuquerque. The event gathered over 20 union leaders from 10 labor organizations representing workers throughout the state. The meeting aimed to discuss priorities for working families and the state's labor movement.
Haaland emphasized her commitment to supporting labor, stating, "I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. Nobody deserves that sort of uncertainty, and attacks on unions in recent years lead to that uncertainty." She added, "I’ve stood alongside workers on picket lines, in the halls of Congress, and as Secretary of the Interior, and I will always give New Mexico’s unions and workers a seat at the table."
Throughout her career, Haaland has been an advocate for labor rights. Her journey began as a member of the Teamsters union and continued through her tenure as Secretary of the Interior. When she ran for Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, she received AFSCME's endorsement and prioritized union printing while supporting union initiatives. In 2018, her congressional campaign was one of the first in New Mexico to unionize.
During her time in Congress, Haaland served twice as an original cosponsor of the PRO Act. This legislation aims to enhance workers' rights by addressing employer interference in union elections and imposing stronger penalties for unfair labor practices.
Haaland expressed her vision for New Mexico's future: "With all the chaos coming out of Washington, New Mexico needs someone who will fight for those who wake up early and go to sleep late. This is about who we are as a state and the kind of future that we want to have together."
Her campaign continues gaining support with endorsements from numerous local officials and leaders across all 33 counties in New Mexico.
