Deb Haaland’s New Mexico Primary Win Could Make Her the First Indigenous Congresswoman in US History
On Tuesday night, primaries were held across the US ahead of November’s midterm elections. And while there were many races to watch, the Democratic race in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District could be history-making — newly minted nominee Deb Haaland’s win in her district’s primary means she could become the US’s first Indigenous congresswoman ever.
Haaland’s qualifications will serve her well on the campaign trail. She was the state’s Democratic party chair between 2015 and 201 and has authored bills tabled in the state Senate. She has also been an advocate for LGBTQ2+ rights within the state and volunteered on both of President Obama’s campaigns.
Tonight, New Mexico made history. #nmpol #nm01 #ruready #befierce pic.twitter.com/xDHEazGqis
— Deb Haaland (@Deb4CongressNM) June 6, 2018
“Tonight, New Mexico made history,” Haaland tweeted after the primary results came in. “Thank you to the tens of thousands of volunteers, grassroots donors, and supporters who won this election today. I’m honored and humbled by your support. Our win is a victory for working people, a victory for women, and a victory for everyone who has been sidelined by the billionaire class.”
In an interview with ABC News ahead of the primary, Haaland said she had once found it difficult to imagine herself as an elected official.
“In 230 years, there’s never been a Native American woman in Congress,” Haaland said. “I have never seen myself in that body of our government.”
Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, an area 45 miles south of Albuquerque and one of 23 federally recognized tribes in New Mexico. She has worked tirelessly for indigenous rights in the US, even protesting during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in 2016 and 2017.
“Our campaign is about putting people before corporate profits, standing up to bullies like the Fossil Fuel industry, and ensuring every New Mexican and American has the chance to thrive regardless of our skin color, neighbourhood, religion, gender, who we love, or the size of our bank account,” Haaland’s post-primary statement adds, solidifying the principals she’s running on while calling out the current administration.
“Donald Trump and the billionaire class should consider this victory a warning shot,” Haaland concludes. “The blue wave is coming.”
(Photo via Deb Haaland for Congress/Facebook)