Democratic candidate Deb Haaland has made history after winning the New Mexico gubernatorial election, becoming the first Native American woman to be elected governor of a US state.
Haaland defeated Republican challenger Gregg Hull, former mayor of Rio Rancho, in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
According to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office, Haaland secured approximately 57 per cent of the votes, while Hull received about 43 per cent. The Associated Press also declared her the winner of the contest.
Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo Indigenous community, previously represented New Mexico in the US House of Representatives before serving as Secretary of the Interior under former President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025. She was the first Native American to head a US Cabinet department.
During her victory speech, Haaland thanked her supporters and reflected on her background, including her experiences growing up in a Native American community and raising a child as a single mother.
She also pledged to work towards improving the lives of residents across New Mexico, regardless of their political affiliations.
Her campaign focused on addressing the rising cost of living, expanding healthcare access, protecting natural resources and strengthening social support programmes.
Haaland will succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who could not seek another term because of constitutional term limits.
Her victory represents a historic milestone for Native American representation in US politics, particularly for Indigenous women, who have remained underrepresented in the country’s political leadership.
