ICYMI: Haaland Marches with Group in Addiction Recovery in Final Days Before Primary Election

June 22, 2026

Albuquerque, NM – In case you missed it, Deb Haaland, who is running to be the next governor of New Mexico, joined Grand Summit Recovery and Workforce Development as they walked to the polls to cast their ballots for the 2026 primary election. Haaland shared her journey of reaching over 30 years of sobriety.

The campaign season for New Mexico’s June 2 primary election is nearly over, as early voting ends Saturday.

So far, nearly 140,000 people across the state have cast their ballots early, according to the latest figures from the New Mexico Secretary of State. That represents nearly 10% of the state’s registered voters.

Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Interior Secretary who’s seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, spent Thursday afternoon with residents of an Albuquerque recovery and workforce development program and told them she’d be “honored” to earn their votes. Many of the 60 people who live at Grand Summit off of Tramway Boulevard and Central Avenue undergo intensive outpatient treatment for mental illness and substance use disorder.

Haaland, who said she’s been sober for more than 30 years, told a crowd gathered in the facility’s courtyard that sobriety will open new doors in their lives and that, if elected, she’d do “whatever I can to support your journeys.”

“I just want you to know that I believe in each and every one of you,” she told them.

Haaland marched with them across Central Avenue to an early voting location, where many registered to vote and cast their first ballot.

Tyson Benally, 39, told Source NM he was an active participant in Grand Summit’s workforce development program and was drawn to the fact that, like him, Haaland knew what it was like to struggle with addiction and undergo the difficult recovery process.

“Everything she’s talking about — I’m really for it,” he said before casting his ballot for Haaland.

Haaland faces Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman in the primary election. Former Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, communications professional Doug Turner and former state cabinet secretary and current cannabis CEO Duke Rodriguez are competing for the Republican nomination.