Deb Haaland seeks New Mexico governor post in historic bid

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

Deb Haaland, a Democratic former interior secretary and member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, is running for governor of New Mexico and could become the first Native American woman to lead a state.

Deb Haaland, a Democratic gubernatorial nominee and former interior secretary, is running for governor of New Mexico. If she wins, she would become the first Native American woman to lead a state. As a citizen of Laguna Pueblo in west-central New Mexico, she previously served in Congress for two years before her appointment as interior secretary under President Joe Biden.

New Mexico persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education. Democrats hold all the state's top offices and have controlled the legislature nearly continuously for almost a century, but voters are calling for change. A Democratic loss in the gubernatorial race would be embarrassing for the party given its dominance in state politics.

Haaland blames President Donald Trump for compounding the state's problems by cutting social programmes that New Mexicans rely on disproportionately and increasing the cost of living. She proposes expanding existing tax credits and spending more on safety net programmes to help families make ends meet. She previously relied on government assistance as a single mother early in her life.

A victory would elevate Haaland's standing in the Democratic Party. The party recently named New Mexico as one of the earliest states for its next presidential primary, bolstering its prominence in national politics and ensuring more visits from White House hopefuls.

How it is being reported

• In New Mexico governor’s race, Deb Haaland’s historic bid tests Democrats' political holdIf Deb Haaland wins New Mexico’s race for governor, she’ll make history as the first Native American woman to lead a state.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 05:01
• In New Mexico governor’s race, Deb Haaland’s historic bid tests Democrats' political holdIf Deb Haaland wins New Mexico’s race for governor, she’ll make history as the first Native American woman to lead a state.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 05:01

In this story: Deb Haaland · Laguna Pueblo · New Mexico · Democratic Party · Donald Trump · Joe Biden

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