Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland launched her bid for governor of New Mexico on Tuesday morning, one of the first major political moves for a member of former President Joe Biden’s administration since he left office.
“In Congress and as secretary of the Interior, I’ve fought for our state,” Haaland said on X alongside a video announcing the bid. “I helped New Mexico businesses open their doors, secured clean energy jobs, and worked to bring water and infrastructure projects to rural communities.”
Before becoming the first Native American Cabinet secretary while serving under Biden, Haaland served in the House from 2019 to 2021, and before that she chaired New Mexico’s Democratic Party. As Interior secretary, she oversaw the Biden administration’s moves to cut fossil fuels and boost clean energy.
Current Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is term limited, and Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich has already said he would not run for the state’s top office, leaving Haaland’s path to the general election relatively clear. She’s the first major candidate to get in the race, and has long been expected to run.
No Republicans have announced they are running yet. Former Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell, as well as failed Senate candidate Nella Domenici, could jump into the race. New Mexico has no statewide GOP officeholders, and the state’s entire congressional delegation is made up of Democrats.
In her video announcement, Haaland drew from her past.
“In my life, I’ve learned that nothing comes easy,” she said, highlighting the fact she grew up in a military family, raised her child alone and is 35 years sober. “But here in New Mexico, struggle makes you fierce.”
Haaland is one of a number of Biden administration officials looking to jump back into elected office. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is mulling a Senate run in Michigan, and Gina Raimondo was rumored to be eyeing another bid for governor of Rhode Island.
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