Deb Haaland Wins New Mexico Governor's Race, Will Be First Native American Woman to Lead a State

Democrat Deb Haaland has been elected governor of New Mexico, defeating Republican Gregg Hull on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Associated Press declared Haaland the projected winner less than two hours after polls closed, the Albuquerque Journal reported, and Hull conceded later in the evening.

Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo and the former U.S. interior secretary, will become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history.

A historic win

Haaland, 65, had already broken barriers. She was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018, alongside Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, and became the first Indigenous Cabinet secretary when President Joe Biden named her to lead the Interior Department, The Guardian reported.

Native Americans make up about 12% of New Mexico’s population. The Guardian noted that a record 358 Indigenous candidates ran for local, state and federal office across the country this cycle.

Speaking to supporters at the Route 66 Casino Hotel on Laguna Pueblo land west of Albuquerque, Haaland thanked her staff, congratulated Hull and spoke about her family history, including her grandmother being forced to attend a boarding school for Native American children. “Tonight isn’t just about history — it’s about our future,” she said, according to the Journal.

Hull concedes

Hull, 60, a businessman and longtime mayor of Rio Rancho, initially told supporters to “keep the faith,” saying, “We concede nothing until we see every vote come in and every vote is counted,” the Journal reported. He conceded after 10 p.m. local time and said he had called Haaland to congratulate her.

Hull told supporters he was proud of not running negative attack ads late in the race. He had campaigned on making New Mexico more economically competitive, including a phased-in repeal of the state’s personal income tax.

What Haaland promised

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Haaland pledged to:

• Push a plan to establish universal health care in New Mexico
• Put reading coaches in schools statewide
• Keep outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s universal child care initiative
• Protect New Mexico residents against President Donald Trump’s policies

She also took a subtle swipe at Trump’s call to rename the state “New America,” saying, “New Mexico’s brightest days are ahead of us.”

A break from the pattern

Haaland’s win ends a 40-plus-year pattern of New Mexico alternating between Democratic and Republican governors, the Journal reported. The last Democrat to win the governorship while another Democrat held the office was Toney Anaya in 1982. Lujan Grisham was barred by the state constitution from seeking a third consecutive term.

Haaland raised a record $20.5 million for the race. She drew criticism for skipping a televised debate with Hull, the first time in 20 years New Mexico’s candidates for governor did not debate; Haaland said she had tried to find a compromise date.

Her running mate, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, was elected lieutenant governor.

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