Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Mounts New Mexico Gubernatorial Run

Posted on: February 12, 2025, 07:46h. 

Last updated on: February 12, 2025, 09:49h.

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  • Deb Haaland served as secretary of the Interior under President Joe Biden
  • Haaland left office on the same day President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term
  • Haaland is now seeking to become governor of New Mexico

Deb Haaland made history in 2021 when she became the first Native American to serve in a presidential cabinet. She now has her eyes set on running her home state of New Mexico.

Dab Haaland Interior New Mexico
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announces her New Mexico gubernatorial campaign in a social media video. Haaland, a Democrat, made history by becoming the first Native American member to serve in a presidential Cabinet. (Image: X)

The 54th secretary of the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), Haaland left the federal government last month on the same day President Donald Trump was sworn in. Haaland was previously a US representative for New Mexico’s 1st district.

On Tuesday, the Democrat became the first candidate to throw her hat into the ring for New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial race.

In Congress and as secretary of the Interior, I’ve fought for our state. I helped New Mexico businesses open their doors, secured clean energy jobs, and worked to bring water and infrastructure projects to rural communities,” Haaland said in a campaign announcement on social media.

“Now, it’s time to tackle our biggest challenges with the fierceness only New Mexicans know. I’m ready to make government work for us — lower costs, better schools, and ensuring every family feels safe and supported,” Haaland added.

Historic Career

An enrollee of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, Haaland was celebrated by Native American communities when she became the first tribal person to be a Cabinet member and the head of the DOI. The Laguna Pueblo owns and operates the Dancing Eagle Casino in Grants and the Route 66 Casino near Albuquerque.

The federal agency oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which handles tribal gaming matters and helps determine if tribal lands should be taken into the federal trust to be deemed as sovereign property to permit Class I and II gaming. Class III gaming, which includes Las Vegas-like slot machines and live dealer table games, requires a compact with the tribe’s host state.

During her tenure at the Interior Department, Haaland was considered a strong tribal ally in Washington, DC. Her successor, North Dakota’s former Republican Gov. Doug Burgum, is expected to carry on her legacy of prioritizing tribes in land disputes.

Born in Arizona, Haaland moved frequently as a child in a military family. She attended 13 public schools before her family settled in Albuquerque where she graduated from Highland High in 1978.

Haaland admitted to struggling with alcoholism after high school resulting in two DUI arrests. She’s been sober since 1988. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico in 1994 and a law degree from the same school, but “narrowly” failed the bar exam.

Haaland went on to work with adults with developmental disabilities before becoming a tribal administrator and, for a time, a tribal casino manager. She was promoted to serve on the Laguna Development Corporation board, Laguna Pueblo’s economic arm, which runs the second-largest tribal gaming operation in New Mexico.

Haaland’s foray into politics came in 2012 when she was picked to run Barack Obama’s Native American reelection campaign. Credited with helping Obama win New Mexico in 2012 and Democrats reclaim control of the state house, Haaland was seen as a rising star and was elected to Congress in 2018.

2026 Odds

Haaland is mounting a challenge to incumbent Lukan Grisham, whom she succeeded in Congress after she resigned to become governor. As of last fall, the governor’s popularity rating had dropped below 50%.

Whoever wins the Democratic ticket is likely a solid bet for the November 2026 election. Bettors on Kalshi put the odds at 80% that the Democrat candidate will beat the Republican one.

Since 1971, only three Republicans have held the state’s top office — Garrey Carruthers (1987-1991), Gary Johnson (1995-2003), and Bill Richardson (2003-2011).