Haaland Joins Land Grant Communities in Solidarity to Protect Land Rights, Water, Cultural Traditions

Land Grant Leadership Thanks Haaland for Engaging Their Communities, Understanding Their Priorities

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Tuesday, Deb Haaland visited with Land Grant communities in the East Mountains. During her meetings, she highlighted her mission to protect land rights, water and cultural traditions. In light of the Trump Administration and the reconciliation package threatening vital funding for rural infrastructure, wildfire resources and programs that support rural communities, the meeting comes at an important time. The New Mexico Land Grant Council shared insights about key federal and state Programs that help land grants, and Haaland committed to protect important resources that those communities rely on. 

“New Mexico is full of beautiful traditions and communities who care deeply about the future we’re leaving for generations to come. With President Trump undoing protections for lands and waters, killing jobs, and taking away important programs we rely on, it will be more important for us to stand together. I will stand with all of our communities as governor,” said Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico governor.

Today’s tour is part of Deb Haaland’s commitment to meet communities where they are and uplift their voices in New Mexico’s future. Haaland launched her campaign with a 19-stop tour to communities across New Mexico with nearly 4,000 people in attendance. During the tour, rooms were filled to capacity, including in counties where a majority voted for Donald Trump. The strong start to Haaland’s campaign has drawn endorsements from Senator Ben Ray Luján, Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez and more than 80 local leaders and organizations.    

Land Grant leadership quotes:

“Today May 13 2025, the land grants of the Sandia and Manzano Mountains had the pleasure of meeting with Deb Haaland. We had the opportunity to voice our concerns and priorities that the land grants would like to see in her administration if she is elected as Governor. We greatly appreciate her taking time to visit with the land grant leaders and community members.” – President Juan Sanchez, Chilili Land Grant 

“As President of the Land Grant, sitting down with Deb as candidate for Governor shows that our communities and our issues are at the top of mind for her. Our communities fight everyday for resources, we are hopeful after today’s visit she will fight for us as she continues her run for Governor.” – President JJ Herrera, Cañon de Carnué Land Grant 

“Met with Deb Haaland today along with other land grant members.  It was amazing to meet with a candidate who truly cares about and understands the land grant communities. Her dedication to preserving the land, water and traditions of our communities is truly appreciated.” – President Andrea Padilla, Tomé Land Grant 

“It was an honor to take part in this important conversation with former Secretary Deb Haaland and fellow East Mountain land grants. Coming together to discuss the critical issues facing our shared future was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of our communities.” – Vice President Moises Gonzales, Cañon de Carnué Land Grant  

“Today the land grant leaders of the East Mountains had the opportunity to visit with Deb Haaland as part of her commitment to hearing from New Mexico’s traditional land-based communities. As always Deb’s dedication and concern for the well-being of our communities was clearly evident in both her words and actions. The honor and respect she showed to our local community leaders as they spoke about their deep connection to the land and water of our homelands is a testament to both her humbleness and the quality of her leadership. Now more than ever we need fierce yet humble leaders to work with our communities and guide our State.” – Arturo Archuleta, Land Grant-Merced Advocate

Deb Haaland has a strong record of supporting rural communities. Under her leadership at the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management strongly supported the Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act, a bill Haaland cosponsored as a member of the U.S. House, testifying in favor of this legislation to improve consultation and communication between federal agencies and New Mexico’s land grant communities. She oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in major rural water infrastructure projects in the region to help hundreds of thousands of people, and investment in the New Mexico Acequia Association to aid water resilience. She oversaw numerous investments—from climate resilience efforts to infrastructure projects to fire mitigation funding—to benefit rural communities.