SANTA FE, N.M. — Deb Haaland, who has been a strong advocate for conservation and renewable energy during her time as Interior Secretary, is running for the Democratic nomination for governor of New Mexico, the second-largest oil-producing state in the United States.
Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo and the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary under President Joe Biden, has the potential to become the first Native American woman in the governor’s office in any state. New Mexico is home to 23 federally recognized tribes, including significant areas of the Navajo Nation and land held by the Fort Sill Apache.
She is leading the charge to organize her campaign for what promises to be a lengthy electoral contest, as Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will complete her term in 2026. Recently, Democratic U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced he would not run for governor, and there are currently no Republican challengers in the race.
On Monday, Scott Forrester was confirmed as her campaign manager. As she builds a team of experienced political strategists, it remains necessary to file the official paperwork with the secretary of state.
Since the 1980s, the governorship in New Mexico has alternated between Democratic and Republican control. Despite President Donald Trump gaining traction in New Mexico, he has lost three elections in this predominantly Hispanic and Native American border state.
Democrats have consolidated their power, holding every statewide elected office and all congressional and U.S. Senate positions, as well as substantial majorities in both the state House and Senate.
If successful, Haaland, who has previously served as a congresswoman and state party chair while canvassing for President Barack Obama, would lead a state currently experiencing a financial boom thanks to the Permian Basin, which spans parts of New Mexico and western Texas and is the fastest-growing oil production area in the country.
Haaland has been vocal in opposing unrestricted oil and gas exploitation and advocating for the Green New Deal, a series of extensive initiatives aimed at transitioning the U.S. towards low-carbon energy. Despite this, the Biden administration has seen unprecedented levels of oil and gas leasing and production, with the U.S. producing more fossil fuels than ever before.
In her last interview as Interior Secretary, she pointed out that the boom in fossil fuel production occurred alongside protections for other federal lands. Haaland expressed, “As it turns out, you don’t have to lease millions and millions of acres. We really worked at zeroing in on where these leases should happen to ensure that other land is open to conservation.”
Whether she can maintain this balance in New Mexico remains uncertain, but it is expected to become a significant topic during her campaign due to the vital revenues generated from the oil and gas industry.
Democratic officials in New Mexico have developed a progressive strategy for utilizing the state’s fiscal gains to fund initiatives such as free meals for all public school students, zero-tuition options for colleges and trade schools, discounted childcare, and tax credits aimed at families.
The Republican candidate for governor in 2022, Mark Ronchetti, who previously worked as a television meteorologist, advocated for an alternative method of utilizing these revenues, including direct tax rebates and educational scholarships for families focused on enhancing early literacy. He ultimately lost to Lujan Grisham by a six-point margin.
State GOP Chair Amy Barela expressed hopes that voters might lean away from one-party governance in 2026, asserting, “We believe a Republican governor will bring the positive change our state deserves through balanced leadership after years of one-party rule.” Barela, who is also an elected Otero County commissioner, shared her thoughts via email.
New Mexico’s oil production has recently exceeded that of North Dakota, the home state of Doug Burgum, Trump’s nominee to take over the Department of the Interior following Haaland’s tenure.
