Haaland becomes first Native woman governor as Democrats take Congress
New Mexico voters elected former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to the governorship, while the Navajo Nation chose its first female president and Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress.
By Paula Delgado ·
Voters in Bernalillo County and across New Mexico cast decisive ballots on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in a midterm election that reshaped the state’s leadership and the national government. The results marked a historic shift in the state, with Deb Haaland winning the open governor’s race and becoming the first Native American woman to lead a U.S. state. In the U.S. Senate seat, incumbent Ben Ray Luján faced a Republican opponent in a race that was part of a broader national trend where Democrats gained control of both the House and the Senate. The election concluded with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a timeframe that allowed residents of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho to participate in selecting candidates for federal, state, and local offices.
Haaland, a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo, had previously served as the first Native American to lead the U.S. Interior Department and as one of the first two Native women elected to Congress in 2018. Her victory in the open governor’s race, where no incumbent was seeking re-election, was framed by supporters as a continuation of her long history of breaking barriers. She is now tasked with addressing campaign promises to make life more affordable for struggling New Mexicans and to tackle persistently poor education outcomes in the state. Her win adds to a wave of milestone victories for Native American women in politics, a trend that has been building for decades through organized efforts to increase representation in formal political power.
The election also saw a historic first in the Navajo Nation, where Crystalyne Curley was elected as the first woman president. Curley narrowly defeated attorney Justin Jones according to unofficial results, ending a century of male leadership in the modern, centralized Navajo government. The Navajo Nation, which has the largest land base of any federally recognized tribe and spans parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah, has seen its leadership structure challenged by traditional teachings and modern political movements. Curley, who also served as the first female speaker of the tribal council, said she faced sexist rhetoric during her campaign and expects to be held to a higher standard in her new role. She and her running mate, Chris Deschene, plan to transition the tribe away from coal development and reassert its role in national discussions on federal Indian policy.
Nationally, the election results signaled a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington. Democrats secured healthy majorities in both the House and the Senate, giving them the ability to conduct aggressive investigations into the executive branch. This victory sets the stage for a combative stance against President Donald Trump and his administration, with Democrats preparing an investigative blitz that could define the remaining two years of Trump’s presidency. The new congressional leadership includes Rep. Robert Garcia, who is poised to chair the House Oversight Committee, and Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is on the cusp of becoming the nation’s first Black House speaker. These leaders have vowed to hold the administration accountable, with some indicating that impeachment is a viable option for certain officials.
The tone of the post-election period is already marked by tension. President Trump declared on social media that the investigative requests made by Democrats are extortion at the highest level, while Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the sentiment by suggesting that criminal investigations of Democrats are possible. In response, Jeffries stated that the days of Democrats not fighting back are over, emphasizing that the administration must be checked by Congress. This rhetoric sets up a showdown that will test the power of Congress to provide checks and balances on the presidency, a concern shared by about seven in ten voters nationally who feel Congress has not done enough in this area.
New Mexico’s U.S. Senate race was a key component of the national picture, with incumbent Ben Ray Luján running against a Republican opponent. The race was part of a broader contest for control of the Senate, where Democrats managed to gain seats and secure a majority. This outcome is significant for the state, as it ensures that New Mexico’s voice in the federal legislature will be represented by a Democrat for the next two years. The Senate victory complements the state’s gubernatorial win, creating a unified Democratic front in both the state executive and federal legislative branches. This alignment may facilitate cooperation on issues important to New Mexico residents, such as education and cost of living, although it also places the state at the center of the national political battle.
The election results in Bernalillo County reflect the broader trends seen across the state and the nation. Residents in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho participated in a high-turnout election that included races for U.S. House, state legislative offices, and local municipal positions. The county’s diverse population, which includes significant Native American communities, played a vital role in the historic victories for Native women in leadership positions. The success of candidates like Haaland and Curley demonstrates the growing influence of Native American voters and the increasing acceptance of women in top government roles, a shift that is being felt from local tribal councils to the statehouse and the U.S. Senate.
Looking ahead, the new state leadership will face immediate challenges in implementing their platforms. Haaland must work with the state legislature to pass legislation that addresses affordability and education, while also navigating the complex relationship between the state government and the federal administration. The Navajo Nation, under Curley’s leadership, will begin the process of transitioning away from coal and engaging with federal policymakers on Indian policy. These efforts will require close coordination between state and tribal leaders, as well as with federal counterparts in Washington. The election has set the stage for a period of significant change and potential conflict in New Mexico’s political landscape.
