U.S. Midterm Elections》New Mexico elects first Native American female governor

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was elected governor of New Mexico, becoming the first indigenous woman to serve as governor in U.S. history.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who ran on behalf of the Democratic Party, was elected governor of New Mexico, becoming the first indigenous woman to serve as governor in U.S. history.

The Guardian reported that Haaland, 65, had previously made history by becoming the first Aboriginal cabinet minister. In New Mexico, where she won, indigenous people account for 12% of the total population, and these voters are gradually showing influence in various elections.

Throughout the campaign, Haaland repeatedly mentioned her own experience as a single mother living on Medicaid, WIC, and food stamps before entering law school in her 30s.

Before entering Congress, Haaland served as a tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo tribe and became the first woman elected to the board of directors of the Laguna Development Corporation; she then served as the New Mexico Native Outcome Director for Obama's 2012 campaign.

After running for lieutenant governor in 2014, an election ultimately won by Republicans, she became the first Aboriginal woman elected to lead a state party.