Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Unanimously Backs Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor

The Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Council and the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Administration have announced a unanimous endorsement of Deb Haaland for governor of New Mexico in the 2026 general election.

Tribal Endorsement

In an endorsement letter, tribal leaders praised Haaland's experience, character and commitment to issues that affect both the Pueblo and the state. The letter highlighted her plans for environmental stewardship, expanded access to education, affordability, public safety, healthcare, and responsible economic development as reasons the Tribe believes she is well-suited to lead New Mexico.

Your plan for the state demonstrates a clear dedication to environmental stewardship, equal access to education, affordability, public safety, healthcare, and responsible economic development. Your knowledge of policy and governance makes you an ideal candidate to advance those goals that will benefit our tribal community and the state at large.

Haaland's Response

Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo and former U.S. secretary of the Interior, said she was honored to receive the Pueblo's endorsement and pledged to ensure Tribal communities have a seat at the table.

I am honored to earn the endorsement and support of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. I will ensure Tribal communities have a seat at the table. As governor, I will continue to work for future generations and advance goals that will benefit Tribal communities across New Mexico as we work to create safer communities, make healthcare accessible, provide a high quality public education, and lower costs.

Background

Ohkay Owingeh, whose name means "Place of the Strong People," was known as San Juan Pueblo until 2005, when tribal citizens restored the community's original name. Haaland was one of the first Native American women elected to Congress and the first Native American to serve as a presidential Cabinet secretary. She represented New Mexico's 1st Congressional District from 2019 to 2021 before being nominated by President Joe Biden to lead the Interior Department.

Throughout her congressional and Cabinet service, Haaland has advocated for tribal sovereignty, self-determination and economic opportunity. Her campaign emphasizes work protecting sacred sites, supporting Native-owned businesses, addressing missing and murdered Indigenous people, and securing federal investments in tribal infrastructure.

Campaign Momentum

Haaland won the Democratic nomination for governor in June and is campaigning ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. The Ohkay Owingeh endorsement joins a growing list of support from Native leaders and organizations across New Mexico, including New Mexico Native Vote, Native Organizers Alliance, Advance Native Political Leadership, former state Indian Affairs secretaries Alvin Warren and Lynn Trujillo, and endorsements from other Pueblo communities such as Sandia Pueblo.

Report originally published by Native News Online.