Deb Haaland

Deb Haaland
Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party
In office
April 25, 2015 – April 29, 2017
Preceded by Sam Bregman
Succeeded by Richard Ellenberg
Personal details
Born 1960/1961 (age 57–58)[1]
Winslow, Arizona, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Education University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (BA, JD)
Website Campaign website

Debra A. Haaland is an American politician from New Mexico.[2] She is a former Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico and the 2018 Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives to represent New Mexico's 1st congressional district.

Early life and education

Haaland was born in Winslow, Arizona.[3] She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo people. Her father, J. D. "Dutch" Haaland, a Norwegian American, was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and recipient of the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam; he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in 2005.[4] Her mother, Mary Toya,[4] a Native American, served in the United States Navy.[5] She has three sisters and a brother.[4]

Haaland earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico in 1994.[6][7] She earned her Juris Doctor in Indian law from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2006.[6][7][8] She served as the tribal administrator for the San Felipe Pueblo from January 2013 to November 2015.[5][6][7]

Political career

In 2012, Haaland served as the state's vote director for Native Americans in Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.[9] She ran for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico in 2014.[5] Her ticket, headed by Gary King, the party's nominee for Governor of New Mexico, lost to the Republican ticket of Susana Martinez and John Sanchez.[9] She was elected to a two-year term as the Chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico in April 2015.[10][11] During her tenure, New Mexico Democrats regained control of the New Mexico House of Representatives.[9]

After the expiration of her term, she announced her intention to run for the United States House of Representatives in New Mexico's 1st congressional district in the 2018 elections, to succeed Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is running for Governor.[9] Haaland defeated Damon Martinez to win the Democratic Party nomination in June 2018.[12] If elected in November, Haaland would become the first Native American woman in the United States Congress.[13][14][15][16]

Personal life

Haaland has a daughter, Somáh,[17] whom she raised on her own.[9] Haaland's hobbies include marathon running and gourmet cooking.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Peters, Joey (April 26, 2015). "Haaland elected new state Democratic Party Chair". Nmpoliticalreport.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ The U.S. Could Be Getting Its First Native American Congresswoman in November, Fortune, McKenna Moore, June 7, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  3. ↑ Contreras, Russell. "Deb Haaland's House Run Could Make Native American History". Time. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Obituaries: Haaland". Albuquerque Journal. March 4, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Debra Haaland Could Make History as Lt. Gov. of NM – IndianCountryToday.com". Newsmaven.io. November 28, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Deb Haaland's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 "Debra Haaland". LinkedIn. 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  8. ↑ Oxford, Andrew (May 2, 2017). "Haaland, former Dem Party state chairwoman, running for Congress". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Former state Democratic Party chairwoman Haaland plans run for Congress". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ Terrell, Steve (April 25, 2015). "State Democrats elect first American Indian to lead party". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Democrats elect Haaland state party chairwoman". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Past Democratic Party chair Haaland wins nomination". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  13. ↑ Haslett, Cheyenne (June 6, 2018). "Candidate hopes to be first Native American congresswoman". ABC News. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  14. ↑ Holland, Joshua (June 1, 2018). "Meet Deb Haaland, Democrat for Congress". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  15. ↑ Krieg, Gregory (September 1, 2015). "New Mexico's Deb Haaland likely to be first Native American in Congress". CNN. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  16. ↑ Romero, Simon (June 6, 2018). "New Mexico Could Elect First Native American Woman to Congress". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  17. ↑ "NM Democratic Chair Haaland Statement On Marriage Equality". KRWG. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
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