Deb Haaland elected governor of New Mexico

At 8:43 p.m. Mountain Time, Haaland campaign staff declared victory after the race was called by the Associated Press and the results were reported by the New York Times. Five minutes later, it was announced on the podium to her supporters. New Mexico voters overwhelmingly supported Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), who received 57% of the votes. Her Republican opponent Gregg Hull received 43% of the votes.

New Mexico voters showed up in record numbers during the state’s early voting period. More than 1.4 million people voted early, roughly 31% of eligible voters.

Haaland spent her election day campaigning among tribal communities in Santo Domingo Pueblo, the Navajo Nation and in her home community of Laguna. She also spent the week before the election meeting voters in tribal communities under states of emergency due to severe flooding. Rain hit these areas again less than 24 hours before election day.

Under a blue sky at a polling site in To’Hajiilee, Haaland, who first ran for public office in 2014, told Buffalo’s Fire that she has never seen an election hit by such severe weather conditions.

“It’s very sad, though. Living in the high desert when we pray for rain daily. You feel it a little in your heart,” she said. “Climate change is upon us, and this is an issue that I've talked about consistently, in my entire public service career, and that I will continue talking about.”

Navajo Nation voter Delbert Secatero said he voted for Haaland because he wants to see women govern with a different leadership style than he’s seen with men. Haaland is New Mexico’s third straight female governor and will govern with Lt. Governor Stephanie Garcia Richard as the state’s first all-female elected to lead the executive branch.

“I believe she can be able to help us out here, in our community. To be stronger, to come together in unity, and to make the right choice,” he said.