In The News: Santa Fe New Mexican Endorses Haaland in Democratic Primary for Governor

May 20, 2026

Albuquerque, N.M. – In case you missed it, the Santa Fe New Mexican endorsed Deb Haaland in the 2026 Democratic primary election for governor. The New Mexican cited Haaland’s experience as Secretary of the Interior, her healthcare policy positions, and her collaborative leadership style as key reasons for their endorsement.

The Democratic primary race between Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former U.S. Rep. and Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland features tough talk vs. soft speech.

It goes without saying that Haaland is a historic candidate — if elected, she could become the first Native female governor in the United States. But that’s not why Democrats should choose her as their nominee.

The Laguna Pueblo tribal member would bring to the office her experience as interior secretary, where she supervised more than 70,000 employees and a budget of some $18 billion annually. She was responsible for protecting an estimated 1 million acres of land and water, advancing renewable energy projects and implementing the Federal Indian Boarding School initiative so the country can face its past.

Haaland has superior executive experience, crucial for a governor in charge of the executive branch. For doubters, there’s one direct comparison. Haaland and Bregman both served as chairs of the state Democratic Party. He left the party in debt. She did not.

The two candidates have different views of how to move New Mexico beyond dependence on the oil and gas industry. In fact, Bregman held a fundraiser in 2025 at the Petroleum Club of Midland. For a Maryland-born, cowboy hat-wearing lawman, the affinity with Texas makes sense. However, this is about the best choice for governor of New Mexico. Haaland has taken stronger positions against reuse of produced water, in favor of renewable energy and for protection of Chaco Canyon from drilling.

We like that Haaland wants to address healthcare, providing coverage for more people in a state small enough to experiment with universal care. She is outspoken about the need to keep private equity out of utility management.

Beyond policy differences, Haaland is a collaborative leader, one who will listen to her Cabinet and other state employees. Most of all, she has spent her year of campaigning crisscrossing the state, meeting one-on-one and in small groups with tens of thousands of New Mexicans. She listens more than she speaks, giving her the on-the-ground knowledge she will need to tackle New Mexico problems. In the Democratic primary, The New Mexican endorses Deb Haaland.