Former Secretary of the Interior and United States Rep. Deb Haaland kicked off her gubernatorial campaign tour in Albuquerque Thursday, Feb. 13 with a message of resilience.
Two days before the Albuquerque rally, which was held at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Haaland formally announced her run for New Mexico governor.
“I’m going to go around the state and listen to people,” Haaland told the Daily Lobo. “Because we need to know what people are thinking, what they’re feeling, how they see their future of New Mexico.”
The campaign tour will feature 18 more stops across the state.
During her speech, Haaland, a Democrat, said she aims to increase safety, lower costs, provide more opportunities for children and protect the environment. She also referenced her past work creating renewable energy jobs, increasing trust in law enforcement and supporting small businesses.
“Sometimes, no matter how hard we struggle, how hard we work, how many sacrifices we make, it still feels impossible to give our children what they need to thrive,” Haaland said during her speech. “The system just isn't working for us, and it hasn't been. But together, we can change that.”
New Mexico Sen. Shannon Pinto (D-Tohatchi) attended the rally. She said Haaland’s experience would help her make progress as governor. Haaland served as the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
“She’s very familiar with New Mexico, being a native New Mexican,” Pinto told the Daily Lobo. “It’s great to have someone come back wanting to serve the people.”
Some legislation Haaland sponsored while in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019-21 was signed into law by President Donald Trump, Haaland said during her speech. This legislation includes an act to increase benefits for disabled veterans, and a plan to address Colorado River water shortages. Haaland said Trump is currently causing uncertainty in New Mexico.
“Governors will be the first line of defense against him,” Haaland said during her speech.
Among those attending the rally was Albuquerque resident Karen Watson (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation). She held up a sign with a photo of her sister, Dione Watson, who was killed in Gallup in 2015, she said. Karen Watson is still seeking answers about her sister’s death.
“I’m hoping to come out and bring awareness to MMIW cases — Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,” Watson said. “I’m really hoping that our candidates this year will pay attention to what’s happening and be tough on crime.”
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In her speech, Haaland said she wants to improve safety in New Mexican communities. Achieving this goal, she said, would involve making sure law enforcement has what it needs, keeping criminals off the streets and addressing the root causes of crime.
Watson said she hopes Haaland adopts a stronger stance than she had under the Department of the Interior’s Missing and Murdered Unit, which Haaland created in 2021.
“We didn’t really see a lot of benefits to the families of murdered women and Indigenous relatives,” Watson said.
Haaland told the Daily Lobo she wants to involve young voters in her campaign, and that she plans to visit university campuses across the state.
“Young voters are important because they can inspire their friends to also get out and vote,” Haaland said. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a voice.”
The next New Mexico governor will be elected on Nov. 3, 2026. Haaland is the first candidate to announce a bid for the position.
Lily Alexander is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @llilyalexander
Lauren Lifke is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on X @lauren_lifke
Lauren Lifke is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @lauren_lifke
Lily Alexander is the 2024-2025 Editor of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @llilyalexander
