Haaland video

Deb Haaland began her long march for the 2026 Democratic gubernatorial nomination emphasizing her storied heritage, service as Secretary of Interior, kitchen table issues and with a noticeable absence of the progressive ideology that catapulted her onto the national stage. (News release here. Video here.)

Her campaign underlined this statement from her announcement video: 

Lowering costs, making rent and housing affordable, strengthening our schools, and preventing crimes so that you feel safe raising a family here. The solutions are there if we are fierce enough to choose them.

Gone were any references to climate change, transgender rights, a woman's right to choose, threats to Democracy or other issues that appeared to cost Democrats votes in the November election particularly among Hispanic northern Democrats. 

Still, her "fierce" slogan that has been with her since her political start is back and apparently tests well with voters. The campaign also calls her "a governor who will change the game for New Mexico. 

The candidate will begin a 19 stop statewide tour Thursday but much of time this year is expected to be occupied by fund-raising. 

Her video was well-produced and the script, as you might expect, stuck to the generic and positive. But when she cited the litany of generational woes afflicting the state it raised the question of just what would be different about her approach if elected: 

Crime, poverty, homelessness, addiction. They will keep pulling us down if we do the same things and expect a different result.

Details on how Haaland, 64, intends to lead the state through that list of woes will be closely watched. Is there truly something different about her candidacy, aside from its historic nature, or will it be a blueprint of the MLG years that nibbled around the edges?

THE SHIFT

Sam Bregman

Haaland's shift to the center is a luxury she can afford. Her path to the nomination is uncluttered by any opponents in the early going and she can pursue a big tent message that has appeal in both the primary and general elections.

Centrist Democrat and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is making noise about a run and depending on how that develops could keep Haaland in check when it comes to her attachment to the progressives who launched her career. In 2018 they gave her a resounding win over moderate Democrat Damon Martinez and others for the Dem nomination for the ABQ congressional seat. 

Those votes are probably secure with no need to shout her affinity from the rooftops. Her challenge will be to walk the tightrope between the Left and the Center with an uncertain political climate created by the Trump presidency. 

That's where her appeal as possibly the first Native American female governor in US history comes in as does a calm, nonthreatening demeanor and a personality that has proven voter-friendly.

In some respects it reminds us of former Dem US Senator Jeff Bingaman (1983-2013)who had one of the most liberal voting records in the senate but his personal appeal and low-key approach triumphed over divisions. He had a 30 year run.

Haaland paraded with AOC and company during the peak of progressive politics on the Hill but she had to pull it back when moderate President Biden put her in the cabinet. The change served her well.

GOP STRIKES

Republicans are keenly aware of Haaland's vulnerability on the woke front. They came with this hit from GOP Chair Amy Barela:

Deb Haaland represents more of the same, but worse for New Mexico. . .She had one of the most liberal voting records in Congress and consistently peddled the same failed, progressive ideas that have produced nothing for New Mexicans. As Secretary of the Interior, she made it her mission to target New Mexico's number one industry—oil and gas—impacting the livelihoods of many Navajo allottees. . .She . . . consistently could not answer basic questions about her job. . .Another Democrat in the Governor's Mansion spells disaster: more jobs gone, crime on the rise, endless failures, and New Mexicans left in the dust—again. A Republican governor is the change our state needs, someone who will finally put New Mexicans first. 

That dig about Haaland being able to answer questions is another soft spot. Her less than successful appearances before congressional committees as Interior boss is likely to be a focus of her GOP foes. Conservative critics are already calling into question her intellectual abilities.  

THE GHOST 

The ghost of former Republican Governor Susana Martinez also lurks in the Haaland candidacy. She was the nation's first Hispanic female Governor. She charmed her way into office on a thin record as a District Attorney and a relatable campaign personality that had Hispanic Democrats abandoning their party in droves. Unfortunately, Martinez presided over a mostly failed eight years.

For Haaland, the record is not thin--a former state Democratic party chair, a congresswoman and Secretary of Interior. She has been able to bring people together. The question is whether she can transcend her symbolism and also be an agent of change? Does she want to? Her long campaign march could tell the tale. 

HOLGUIN ANALYSIS

Longtime Dem consultant Neri Holguin came with this analysis of the Haaland run: 

Among the Democratic base, she’s beloved and well known across the state. It’s also hard to imagine who else will be able to compete with her ability to fund-raise nationally and locally.

Scott Forrester. another veteran Dem consultant and recently Chief of Staff for ABQ US Rep. Melanie Stansbury is Haaland's campaign manager. 

THE BOTTOM LINES

We had a heavily caffeinated conversation with Sanra Fe radio host Richard Eeds Tuesday in which we talked about Haaland's candidacy the legislature and more La Politica. . .

On the Monday blog a quote from a TV news report incorrectly stated that APD Chief Harold Medina began his tenure in 2022. Here is the correct time line: Medina was named interim Chief of Police in September 2020, and appointed by Mayor Keller to serve as permanent Chief of Police in March 2021.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.