Deb Haaland Campaign ToutsCommunity-centered Solutions at Climate and Health Candidate Forum

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thursday evening, on behalf of Deb Haaland who is running for governor, Demis Foster, the Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Voters of New Mexico (CVNM) discussed Haaland’s plans for climate and public health at a community town hall in Albuquerque. The event, hosted by Healthy Climate New Mexico, focused on solutions that candidates would invest in if elected to office. 

Haaland’s experience as a working mother, a member of Laguna Pueblo, former Member of Congress, and Secretary of the Department of the Interior has shaped her deep understanding of the challenges facing New Mexicans, and ability to bring innovative ideas to address them. As a parent, she faced challenges like financial insecurity head-on, navigating the systems and resources that so many families rely on. As Secretary of the Interior, she managed nearly 70,000 career staff and an $18 billion annual budget. She also played a key role in making the largest clean energy investments in our nation’s history – and she will bring that experience to the governor’s office.

“New Mexicans cannot wait for solutions and stronger resiliency practices – wildfires have destroyed homes and businesses, floods have taken roads and bridges, and extreme weather is increasing utility bills. The Trump administration is making it worse –  including rising unemployment rates and high costs of services and stripping federal funding from programs that are proven to reduce costs and create jobs. As Governor, I’ll work toward bold, decisive, and strategic policies that will address each community’s unique needs, protect New Mexicans from extreme heat, update our infrastructure, promote healthy communities, and lower energy costs in the face of the new climate reality,” said Haaland. 

During the townhall, the Haaland campaign shared a series of priorities to address the climate crisis and protect New Mexico communities, which includes: 

  • Recruiting more clean energy projects to New Mexico that create good-paying union jobs and lower energy costs.
  • Using the purchasing power of the state government to bolster clean energy and conservation.
  • Balancing protection ecosystems, wildlife and sacred sites with expanding clean energy.
  • Cutting red tape to expand clean energy transmission. 
  • Engaging with Tribes and all stakeholders before decisions are made.
  • Ensuring that workers in extractive energy production and communities impacted by severe weather and natural disasters are prioritized for job training in clean energy production. 
  • Moving New Mexico’s industry closer toward the net-zero goal by 2050 to protect families from harmful pollutants. 
  • Increasing funding to existing initiatives like the Community Benefits Fund to ensure local communities have access to resources to help mitigate, repair, or prepare for climate-related incidents that impact health.  
  • Creating an Extreme Weather Resilience Fund to support communities in developing resilience hubs to serve in moments of extreme weather and natural disaster.
  • Adopting safety standards that protect workers, and working with the private sector and legislature to make clean energy more accessible for families and businesses.

Due to Haaland’s participation in a Democratic Governor’s Association meeting, she selected Foster to read responses to town hall questions on Haaland’s behalf. CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that connects New Mexicans with their political power to healthy air, land, water, and wildlife. CVNM was selected for this role as one of the state’s leading policy and advocacy organizations dedicated to addressing the climate crisis through legislative and administrative action. CVNM also issued an endorsement of Haaland in May of 2025, dubbing her the “Green Gov Choice” for the 2026 gubernatorial election. 

“New Mexicans have witnessed first hand the impacts of the climate crisis on our economy, communities, and livelihoods,” stated Demis Foster, CVNM Chief Executive Officer. “The reality is that there is no corner of the state or community untouched by wildfire, drought, flood, or extreme heat. These impacts not only take a toll on public health and safety, but they also decimate our economy, and threaten our cultural and natural heritage. It is imperative that state leaders come together to safeguard our communities and people, and ensure we have a diversified and resilient economy that helps all New Mexicans thrive. As shared tonight, Deb Haaland will do this by centering our people and collective strengths in solutions, not only to cut climate pollution but also invest in all of our communities. Deb Haaland is the clear choice for New Mexico’s next Governor.”