Overview:
Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland rallied supporters in Albuquerque on the eve of Election Day, highlighting her campaign priorities and urging voters to elect a future centered on opportunity, affordability and accessible health care for New Mexico families.
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) made her closing argument to voters Monday evening at La Cueva High School in northeast Albuquerque, urging supporters to turn out for Election Day.
Haaland, who launched her campaign for governor of New Mexico on February 11, 2025, reflected on the 20 months she has spent crisscrossing the state and building support for her candidacy.
“We broke records in New Mexico. We broke records for the turnout in the midterm Democratic primary. We broke records for fundraising in a governor’s campaign, and tomorrow we’re going to break records. In fact, we already have an early vote, and tomorrow we’re going to break records for a turnout in a general election,” Haaland told supporters.
Haaland has led in the polls against her opponent, Republican Greg Hull since she won they won their respective nominations during the June 2 New Mexico primary. A Research Co. poll released on Monday, Nov, 2 shows Haaland leading with a 8% lead, 54% to 46%.
“I feel reaaly good about our chances, but people need to get out an vote,” Haaland told Native News Online after the rally.
Haaland outlined education, career pathways, workforce development and affordable housing as key priorities of her campaign. She said conversations with New Mexicans across the state also revealed widespread concerns about access to health care and the rising cost of everyday essentials.
At the center of her campaign, she said, is a commitment to creating opportunities for children and families to build their futures in New Mexico.
Haaland also reflected on her beginnings in politics as an organizer working to increase Native American voter participation.
Joining Haaland at the rally were U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and other Democratic candidates running for down-ballot offices. Both Luján and Stansbury are seeking reelection.
“I feel like every single one of us should have an opportunity to elect people who align with our values, and that’s what we’ll do tomorrow,” Haaland said.
She emphasized that message by pointing to the Democratic candidates running alongside her.
“Every single Democrat on this ticket, starting at the top, starting with Sen. Ben Raymond Lujan and down to the bottom, every single Democrat has those values,” Haaland continued.
“They care whether New Mexicans can have a hot meal on their table every night. They care whether they can buy a new pair of shoes for their kids at the beginning of the school year, and then another one when they outgrow them half a year through. They care about these things. They care that people can see a doctor when they’re sick, and that they don’t have to drive 200 miles just for a doctor’s appointment.
“And so that is what we’re doing tomorrow. We’re electing a future, a future for our children, a future for our state,” Haaland said, closing her remarks.
