Deb Haaland, 56, is a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2021-2025) and U.S. Representative from New Mexico's 1st Congressional District (2019-2021). An enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, Haaland is seeking to become the first Native American female governor in United States history. She made history in 2018 as one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. House and again in 2021 as the first Native Cabinet secretary. Haaland has been open about her personal struggles, including homelessness, alcohol addiction, and relying on federal food stamps as a single mother. She officially launched her gubernatorial campaign in February 2025 after stepping down from her Interior Secretary position.
Born in Winslow, Arizona to a military family, Haaland grew up in Albuquerque. She graduated from Highland High School and studied political science at the University of New Mexico. She earned a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Before her political career, Haaland worked as a single mother, making salsa and selling it at markets from her car to cover health care costs. She began political involvement in Albuquerque, where she served on the energy and sustainability taskforce. Elected to the House in 2018, she quickly became a prominent progressive voice before accepting President Biden's nomination as Interior Secretary in 2021.