By The Republic Standard News Staff
Democrat Deb Haaland has won election as governor of New Mexico, defeating Republican Gregg Hull, a 60-year-old businessman and longtime mayor of Rio Rancho.
Haaland, 65, is set to become the first Native American woman to serve as governor of a U.S. state. A member of Laguna Pueblo, she previously served as interior secretary during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Record in Public Service
Haaland entered Congress in 2018 alongside Sharice Davids, with the two becoming the first Native American women elected to the chamber. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib were also among the progressive freshman lawmakers elected that year.
After Biden won the presidency in 2020, he chose Haaland to run the Interior Department. She became the first Indigenous person to hold a Cabinet post.
Her earlier work included serving as tribal administrator for San Felipe Pueblo. She was also the first woman elected to the board of directors of the Laguna Development Corporation.
During Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, Haaland worked as New Mexico’s Native American vote director. She later became the first Native American woman elected to lead a state political party.
Native American Voting in New Mexico
Native Americans make up 12% of New Mexico’s population. They secured voting rights in New Mexico in 1948, while nationwide voting access for Native Americans was established during the 1960s.
New Mexico adopted an updated Native American Voting Rights Act in 2023, becoming the first and only state to do so. The measure expanded tribal participation in decisions involving polling sites and redistricting.
A total of 358 Indigenous candidates sought local, state and federal offices during the election cycle. Mary Peltola and Peggy Flanagan were among candidates pursuing a separate milestone: becoming the first Native American women elected to the U.S. Senate.
Category: States
Tags: Elections, Deb Haaland, New Mexico