Deb Haaland, a former Democratic House member and Interior secretary under Joe Biden, launched a run for New Mexico governor on Tuesday. Haaland would be the nation’s first Native American woman to serve as a governor if she is elected to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, herself a former House lawmaker. In a video message kicking off her campaign, Haaland emphasized kitchen table issues, pledging to lower costs and make rent and housing affordable. “New Mexico is rich in tradition and spirit,” she said. “Rich in natural resources. So why can’t our families pay our bills?” Haaland also addressed crime and addiction in her video and said she intends to travel the state to hear directly from New Mexicans. Haaland, who was the losing Democratic lieutenant governor nominee in 2014, is the biggest name to enter the race so far. Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich opted against a bid last month, saying in a statement that “New Mexico needs a strong voice in Washington now more than ever.” No major Republican has announced a campaign as yet, although former Rep. Yvette Herrell and 2024 Senate candidate Nella Domenici have been mentioned as potential contenders. Haaland’s video message emphasized her personal struggles. She raised a child on her own and relied on food stamps for groceries. “In my life, I’ve learned that nothing comes easy,” she said. “I worked at the local bakery, sold my homemade salsa, cleaned at my child’s preschool to reduce the bill.” Haaland, a former chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party, was first elected to the House in 2018, when she and Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids became the first Native American women elected to Congress. She resigned in 2021 to join the Biden administration as Interior secretary, again making history as the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary. She is the first former Biden Cabinet secretary to formally announce a 2026 campaign, but at least two others are considering bids. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is weighing a run for Michigan’s open Senate seat. And former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is said to be “strongly considering” the open governorship in California, a position for which former Vice President Kamala Harris could also be a contender.
