Deb Haaland
Democratic nominee for governor

From the Office of Deb Haaland:

ALBUQUERQUE – Deb Haaland, Democratic nominee for governor, shared the following update with State Central Committee members, along with a video message:

Dear Distinguished Democratic State Central Committee Member: 

Stephanie Garcia Richard

I thank each person who put their name forward and who participated in this endorsement process of the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Each candidate I spoke with has a deep love and commitment to moving New Mexico forward. This was a difficult decision to make and I’m grateful for your patience and respect. 

I am proud to endorse Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard. I’ve made the decision based on a thorough process and who I believe will be the best running mate and leader to lower costs, increase access to healthcare, build safe communities, and improve our schools. Stephanie brings the energy, compassion, leadership, and proven ability to bring people together that I believe will strengthen our campaign and our ability to deliver for New Mexicans. I respect the role the SCC plays in this selection and I hope I can count on the support of Committee members for Stephanie.

The stakes of this race couldn’t be higher because of who is in the White House. New Mexico needs leadership that can deliver, but we can’t deliver on our promises unless we win in November. 

Stephanie has won two statewide elections, even when the odds were stacked against her. She is a proven leader – in the classroom as a teacher, as a member of the New Mexico House helping carve the path for universal childcare, and now as the Land Commissioner, she has delivered real results for working families. While I was advancing our clean energy economy across the country, Stephanie was leading the same fight here at home. She has grown critical state funding for education, overseen job creation in our energy economy, and implemented policies that protect our air, land, and water. 

Her roots stretch across New Mexico, from growing up in Southern New Mexico to raising her family in Northern New Mexico, giving her a deep understanding of the people, communities, and diversity that define our state. Like me, she’ll always stand with our rural communities, from Silver City to Jal to Las Vegas and everywhere in between, because she knows that our people make New Mexico strong.

New Mexicans deserve a government that works just as hard as they do. They deserve leaders who will stop at nothing to fight for lower costs, provide a quality public education, expand access to healthcare, and make our communities safer.

Stephanie is that leader and is the best prepared to serve. In our conversations, what impressed me most was her vision for this role. She sees the Lieutenant Governor’s office as an opportunity to build partnerships, solve problems, and help deliver on the promises we’ve made to New Mexicans. I know she’ll be an engaged, collaborative partner from day one, and that’s why I am endorsing her as my running mate.