Deb Haaland Makes History as First Native American Woman Elected Governor of New Mexico

Deb Haaland Elected New Mexico Governor in Historic Win

“New Mexico’s brightest days are ahead of us, because I believe in a New Mexico that works for all New Mexicans,” Deb Haaland told a packed crowd of supporters chanting her name at the Route 66 Casino Hotel on Laguna Pueblo land. The Democrat and former U.S. interior secretary won the race on Tuesday, defeating Republican Gregg Hull to become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history.

The Associated Press projected Haaland as the winner less than two hours after polls closed. The victory breaks a 40-plus-year trend of New Mexico alternating between Democratic and Republican governors, a cycle that last saw a Democrat win election with a fellow Democrat already in office when Toney Anaya took the post in 1982. Decision Desk HQ projected that Haaland defeated Hull by almost 12 percentage points with 37 percent of votes counted.

Haaland’s win keeps the governor’s mansion in Democratic hands as outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham finishes her term, barred by the state Constitution from seeking reelection for a third consecutive term. Haaland will be sworn into office on New Year’s Day, taking over a state administration that must quickly assemble a cabinet and prepare a budget recommendation ahead of the 60-day legislative session starting in January.

Haaland Raised Record Funds on Universal Healthcare Platform

During the campaign, Haaland raised a record-shattering $20.5 million, drawing thousands of contributions from across the country. The 35th-generation New Mexican built her campaign on a platform of universal healthcare, adding reading coaches to schools statewide, and maintaining Lujan Grisham’s universal childcare initiative. She also pledged to protect New Mexico residents against federal policies under President Donald Trump, taking a subtle jab at proposals to rename the state.

Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho who served three terms leading New Mexico’s third-largest city, ran on his municipal experience and economic competitiveness. He called for a phased-in repeal of the state’s personal income tax code to return oil-fueled budget windfalls to taxpayers. While Hull initially trailed as an underdog in a blue state, he declined to concede late Tuesday evening until every vote was counted. After the election, Haaland was congratulated by Hull on her campaign.

“They said I was naive for keeping it clean, but you know what? At the end of the day, my integrity is worth far more than trying to tear somebody down to get into a political position,” Hull told supporters.

Breaking National Barriers

Haaland’s election adds another major milestone to a political career defined by historic firsts. She served as the first Native American woman to lead a state political party when she chaired the New Mexico Democratic Party in 2015. In 2018, she and Rep. Sharice Davids became the first two Native American women elected to Congress, representing New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District before President Joe Biden appointed her as interior secretary in 2021.

As secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Haaland oversaw federal public lands, conservation efforts, and the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative to investigate the government’s role in operating Native American boarding schools. In New Mexico, her gubernatorial transition now begins immediately ahead of her January inauguration, with policy battles waiting over state taxation, universal programs, and public education funding.

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