Deb Haaland Becomes First Native American Woman Elected Governor

Deb Haaland has become the first Native American woman elected governor of a U.S. state, the Guardian reported.

The Associated Press called New Mexico’s governor’s race for Haaland, a Democrat and member of the Pueblo of Laguna, over Republican Gregg Hull at 8:40 p.m. MST on Nov. 3.

Haaland delivered her victory speech that night at Route 66 Casino Hotel, west of Albuquerque. The hotel is owned by Laguna Pueblo.

“It’s not only about history. It’s about our future,” she said, according to New Mexico In Depth’s election-night report.

“No matter what comes out of Washington, we have a responsibility to take care of our people right here at home,” she said during the speech.

Haaland will be New Mexico’s 33rd governor since statehood in 1912, succeeding Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The result brings the former U.S. interior secretary and congresswoman into state executive office after a campaign focused on household costs and public services. Haaland’s campaign biography describes a career that also included work as a tribal administrator at San Felipe Pueblo and service on the Laguna Development Corporation board.

In her campaign materials, Haaland connected her affordability agenda with her experience running a small salsa business and relying on public assistance while raising her child. Her platform proposed increasing the minimum wage and child tax credit, expanding down-payment assistance and making it easier to build housing.

Education was another part of the platform. Haaland proposed earlier detection of reading difficulties, more bilingual instruction, summer reading and after-school programs, and career pathways beginning in middle school. Her plan also called for expanding community schools that combine education with services such as counseling, health care and family support.