Democrat Deb Haaland won the New Mexico gubernatorial election held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and will become the first Indigenous woman to govern one of the 50 states of the United States. The former Secretary of the Interior defeated Republican Gregg Hull, former mayor of Rio Rancho, according to projections from Associated Press.
Haaland, a member of the Pueblo de Laguna, will succeed the Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, who could not run for another term due to the state's legal limits. The new governor will take office on January 1, 2027, once the electoral procedures are completed. This victory sets a new precedent for a politician who has already made history in Congress and in the federal cabinet.
Haaland defeats Gregg Hull by a wide margin
Associated Press declared Haaland the winner on election night. The preliminary data collected by the public broadcaster KRWG showed a lead of nearly 57% compared to 43% for the Republican Gregg Hull. These are provisional figures: the final result depends on the certification from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
The Democratic candidate celebrated her victory alongside her supporters at the Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque. In her speech, she pledged to govern for all residents of New Mexico, including those who did not vote for her. Hull, the mayor of Rio Rancho for three terms, acknowledged the defeat and called for unity, although she indicated that her sector would demand accountability from the next government.
The Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard, who was previously the state commissioner of Public Lands, has been elected as lieutenant governor alongside Haaland, according to KRWG.
Who is Deb Haaland: from Congress to Joe Biden's cabinet
The next governor, 65 years old, is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, an indigenous community in New Mexico. In the 2018 elections, she became, alongside Sharice Davids, one of the first two indigenous women elected to the United States House of Representatives. Her victory in 2026 extends that trajectory of political milestones.
In 2021, then-President Joe Biden appointed her Secretary of the Interior. Haaland thus became the first Native American person to lead a federal cabinet department. She held that position until 2025 and subsequently launched her campaign for the governorship of New Mexico. Her career was highlighted by The Guardian and EFE.
It is important to clarify the historical significance: Haaland will be the first Indigenous woman elected governor, not the first person of Indigenous descent to hold a governorship in the United States. Her election holds particular significance for the political representation of women from Indigenous peoples.
Housing, wages, and healthcare: the main promises of the elected governor
Haaland's campaign focused on the cost of living, housing, education, public safety, and health. In her electoral platform, she proposed to increase the minimum wage, expand tax credits for families with children, and promote the construction of new homes by streamlining permits and other measures.
Another of his proposals is to prohibit the use of algorithms that coordinate or artificially inflate rents. He also advocated for assistance for those purchasing their first home and the strengthening of early childhood education, vocational training, and university access programs.
In healthcare, he promised to strengthen rural hospitals, expand mobile clinics, address the shortage of professionals, and facilitate mental health care. In terms of security, he proposed to combine resources for law enforcement with violence prevention and addiction treatment. All these initiatives are campaign commitments whose implementation will be subject to budgetary, administrative, and legislative decisions.
His message of victory and the relationship with Washington
During her electoral celebration, Haaland emphasized that the state government must address its citizens regardless of the decisions made in Washington. According to the report from The Daily Lobo, she advocated for collaborative efforts to address the economic and social issues in New Mexico.
The elected governor has criticized the health and economic policies of President Donald Trump, which she attributes to risks for access to Medicaid and for low-income families. These assessments are part of her political position and campaign program. Her administration will need to translate promises into concrete measures in response to the state's challenges.
Another historic victory in the 2026 United States elections
The triumph of Haaland is part of a day that brought several unprecedented results for women and minorities in American politics. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Greg Abbott and became the first Latina governor of the state, while projections for the legislative elections indicated significant Democratic gains.
CiberCuba has followed the shift in the political balance in Washington after the vote on November 3rd. Readers can check the progress of the recount and other races, especially those in Florida and Miami, in the .
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