Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo and the nation’s first Native American cabinet secretary under President Joe Biden, could be the first Native American woman to serve as governor of any state

Deb Haaland, the former secretary of the Interior Department under President Joe Biden, is getting ready for a run to become New Mexico’s next governor. Haaland led the Department of the Interior during all four years of the Biden administration after previously being elected to Congress to represent New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in 2018.

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is expected to run for governor of New Mexico, a spokesperson confirmed to KOB 4.

“Deb Haaland is of and for New Mexico. She’s a proven leader; she’s created New Mexico jobs, brings people together, and is getting ready to run to be New Mexico’s next governor. She and her team will be focused on listening and solutions that fit the needs of our communities," Forrester said.

A Democratic source close to the former U.S. interior secretary says she has hired a campaign manager for the 2026 election.

Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is “preparing” to run for governor of New Mexico in 2026, a campaign spokesperson confirmed to Source NM on Tuesday. If elected, Haaland would be the first Native American person to head the state government in its 113-year history.

Deb Haaland, who championed conservation and clean energy during her tenure as Interior secretary, is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico, the nation’s No. 2 oil production state.