Ohkay Owingeh Leadership Endorses Haaland in Unanimous Vote

Endorsement notes Haaland’s character, experience, and commitment to issues that matter most to the Tribal community

Albuquerque, N.M. – Today, Ohkway Owingeh Tribal Council and Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Administration announced their unanimous support and endorsement for Deb Haaland to be the next governor of New Mexico. 

In a letter to Haaland the Tribe stated, “Your plan for the state demonstrates a clear dedication to environmental stewardship, equal access to education, affordability, public safety, healthcare, and responsible economic development. Your knowledge of policy and governance makes you an ideal candidate to advance those goals that will benefit our tribal community and the state at large.”

“I am honored to earn the endorsement and support of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. I will ensure Tribal communities have a seat at the table. As governor, I will continue to work for future generations and advance goals that will benefit Tribal communities across New Mexico as we work to create safer communities, make healthcare accessible, provide a high quality public education, and lower costs,” said Haaland.

As one of the first Native American women to be elected to Congress and the first Native American to serve as a presidential Cabinet Secretary, Haaland has been a stalwart advocate for Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic opportunity. In Congress and as Secretary of the Interior, Haaland protected sacred sites, advanced Native owned businesses initiatives, addressed violent crime against Native Americans, took decisive action on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis, and oversaw millions of dollars of investment in water, roads, fire protection, and bridge infrastructure projects for Tribes in New Mexico. 

Haaland has also earned broad support from Native leaders and organizations across the state, including: New Mexico Native Vote, the Native Organizers Alliance, Advance Native Political Leadership, former New Mexico Indian Affairs Secretaries Alvin Warren and Lynn Trujillo, State Senators Paulene Abeyta, Angel Charley, and Shannon Pinto, State Representative Charlotte Little, Taos Pueblo Fashion Designer Patricia Michaels, and former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. 

Read Governor Ben Lujan letter of support below:

Dear Ms. Haaland, 

We hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Congratulations again on your primary win. Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Council and Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Administration write to express our support and endorsement of your campaign for state governor in the upcoming 2026 general election. Our endorsement is based on your character, experience, and commitment to the issues that matter most to our tribal community. The Council’s decision was unanimous and reflected in the minutes. 

Your plan for the state demonstrates a clear dedication to environmental stewardship, equal access to education, affordability, public safety, healthcare, and responsible economic development. Your knowledge of policy and governance makes you an ideal candidate to advance those goals that will benefit our tribal community and the state at large. 

[…]

Sincerely,

Ben Lujan

Governor, Ohkay Owingeh