Deb Haaland becomes the first Native American woman to be elected as Governor: Here’s more about her as she wins in New Mexico

Deb Haaland has become the first ever Native American woman to be elected as Governor in the US. The Democrat defeated the Republican candidate Gregg Hull after securing 57% votes, the Associated Press reported.

Haaland’s victory comes in a state where Native Americans make up about 12% of the population, The Guardian reported. According to USA Today, Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe and belongs to Arizona’s Navajo County. She was first elected to the Congress alongside several other progressive women including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashia Tlaib in 2018.

Reacting to her victory, Haaldan thanked voters in New Mexico and said, “Tonight you made history.” She further added, “Let’s build a brighter future for our families…and let’s get to work.”

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Haaland led ex-President Biden’s interior department

Haaland, who served in the House of Representative from New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District from 2019 to 2021, was appointed as the Secretary of the Interior by former President Joe Biden in 2020. She became the first ever Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary.

Earlier in her career she also served as the chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party from 2015 to 2017. Throughout her career she had stood behind progressive policies and supported the ‘Green New Deal’, focused on inequality and climate change at once. She also supports Medicare for All.

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She is a 35th-generation New Mexican

Haaland has described herself as a 35th-generation New Mexican. Her tribe, the Pueblo have lived in what is now New Mexico since the 1200s. Both her parents have served for the country. Her mother, Mary Toya, a Native American woman served in the Navy. While her father, Major John David Haaland, who was of Norwegian-origin served as an officer in the Marine Corps. He received a Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam.

She has also worked as a counselor for adults with developmental disabilities and a tribal administrator. Her stint in politics began during former President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012 where she was New Mexico’s vote director for Native Americans.

Another Native American woman makes history

Democrat Peggy Flanagan from Minnesota has also made history alongside Haaland. She had become the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate according to AP. She won 53.7% of the vote and defeated the Republican Michele Tafoya.