Deb Haaland makes campaign stop at Rio Rancho church

RIO RANCHO — Former U.S. Department of the Interior secretary and 2026 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland told a local congregation Oct. 26 about her personal values and commitment to service. She also issued a call for community civility in a nationally divisive political climate.

Haaland, a Catholic, spoke during a traditional service for the Unitarian Universalists Westside Congregation in Rio Rancho. The event was co-hosted by the congregation and the Albuquerque Unitarian Universalists Fellowship.

Her appearance came as her campaign earlier this month released its second and last fundraising report of the year, showing contributions totaling nearly $7 million from all 50 states, territories and Washington, D.C. The total makes Haaland, vying to be the state’s first Native American governor, the top fundraiser in the gubernatorial race, with her Democratic opponent, Bernalillo District Attorney Sam Bregman, at a distant second, raking in over $3 million. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, a Republican, trails far behind with over $337,000 raised.

During Sunday’s service, Haaland began her remarks by stating she was honored to join the congregation on a “beautiful Sunday” in an “over-the-top time.”

“During a time when any of us feel discouraged by the cruelty and the chaos of the world — mainly by our own president — a place to gather reminds us of the importance of community action,” Haaland said.

After rattling off a few policy priorities — lower costs of services, better health care, quality education — Haaland said she believes in “collective power” and “the politics of care.”

“A politics in which we live our New Mexico values — values engrained in us for generations,” said Haaland, a 35th-generation New Mexican.

She said she learned those values through her grandparents and a “commitment to service” through her Navy mother and a father who served in the Marine Corps and did two tours in Vietnam.

“My story is a lot like many New Mexicans — humble beginnings, struggles that sharpened my grit and determination,” Haaland said, in part. “But it took me a while to find my bearings.”

As a military child, Haaland moved around the country with her parents before settling in Albuquerque and graduating from Highland High School in 1978. She worked after high school but struggled with alcoholism, resulting in two convictions for driving under the influence.

Haaland earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico in 1994, giving birth to a daughter just days later. A single mother, she opened a homemade salsa business and at times lived on food stamps to make ends meet.

Haaland noted that her daughter is 31 years old and “survived all of the bean burritos I made for dinner.”

“That’s all we could afford,” Haaland said.

She later earned her law degree from UNM, helping to jumpstart a political career that included helping to re-elect then-President Barack Obama in 2012 and a stint as New Mexico Democratic Party chair before being elected to Congress.

When she started her political career, “I did not expect to serve ... in Congress, much less be in a president’s Cabinet,” said Haaland, who became the first Native American to lead the Interior Department, serving under President Joe Biden from 2021-25.

During her remarks to the congregation on Sunday, Haaland dabbled into politics, stating, “Everyone in this room knows what we’re up against,” including the suspension of SNAP benefits and the U.S. government shutdown. She criticized U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) for failing to keep the government open.

“In spite of all of this, I believe we can overcome these challenges,” Haaland said.

Recognizing support of President Donald Trump in Sandoval County, she reprised her message to the congregation to practice civility when espousing their political beliefs.

“I know it’s disheartening to drive down the street and see these MAGA flags, but we still have to be kind to everyone,” Haaland said.