Democrat Deb Haaland to become first Native American female governor in US history

(AP) - Democrat Deb Haaland was elected Tuesday governor of New Mexico, defeating Republican Greggory D. Hull.

Haaland is a former U.S. interior secretary and member of Congress.

Haaland reveled in her history-making moment of becoming the first Native American female governor in U.S. history.

The Laguna Pueblo citizen noted that Native Americans are still here despite past efforts by the federal government to strip them of their languages and culture.

“Tonight, in our nation’s 250th year, I stand before you as the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history,” Haaland told ecstatic supporters at a victory celebration.

In 2018, Haaland was one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Then she became the first Native American Cabinet secretary, running President Joe Biden’s Department of the Interior. Charles Curtis, from the Kaw Nation, was the first Native Cabinet member as President Herbert Hoover’s vice president.

Oklahoma was the only state to elect a tribal citizen for governor — Democrat Johnston Murray in the 1950s and current Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt.

“I want every child watching to know that your dreams matter and that New Mexico is a place where you can build the life you want,” Haaland said, adding that she is living proof.

Hull is a former three-term mayor of one of New Mexico’s largest cities. Outgoing Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is term-limited.

The Associated Press declared Haaland the winner at 10:40 p.m. EST.