Deb Haaland, the former Interior secretary and the nation’s first Native American cabinet secretary, has announced her bid for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico. If successful, she could become the first Native American woman to serve as governor of any state. Haaland, who has championed conservation and clean energy, is assembling her campaign team as Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham terms out of office in 2026.
New Mexico, the nation’s No. 2 oil production state, has a history of flipping between Democratic and Republican control, with Democrats currently holding all statewide offices and congressional seats. Haaland, who has voiced opposition to unfettered oil and gas development and supports the Green New Deal, would take office in a state benefiting from a financial windfall from oil production in the Permian Basin.
The balance between oil and gas revenues and progressive investments is likely to be a major campaign issue. Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico have established a framework for using oil revenue to fund initiatives such as free meals at public schools, zero-tuition college, and childcare discounts. The Republican nominee for governor in 2022 proposed individual rebates and educational stipends for families.
New Mexico’s annual oil production has surpassed that of North Dakota, and Haaland’s successor as Interior secretary, Doug Burgum, comes from the state. As Haaland gears up for her gubernatorial campaign, her stance on balancing oil and gas revenues with investing in progressive initiatives is likely to be closely watched.
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