ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is expected to run for governor of New Mexico, a spokesperson confirmed to KOB 4.

A spokesperson for Haaland issued the following statement Tuesday to KOB 4:

“Deb Haaland is of and for New Mexico. She’s a proven leader; she’s created New Mexico jobs, brings people together, and is getting ready to run to be New Mexico’s next governor. She and her team will be focused on listening and solutions that fit the needs of our communities.”

In 2018 and 2020, voters elected Haaland to represent New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shortly after taking office for the second time, in 2021, she was appointed as secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior with the Biden administration. The U.S. Senate confirmed her on a 51-40 vote, making her the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.

Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo. In the years before she served on the Biden administration and in the U.S. House, she served as chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party and ran for lieutenant governor.

Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham is currently in her second consecutive term as governor of New Mexico. The New Mexico State Constitution specifies someone may be elected governor any number of times but no more than twice in a row. That makes Lujan Grisham ineligible to run for governor in 2026 but eligible in 2030.

Rumors suggested the possibility of New Mexico U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich running for governor in 2026. However, Heinrich ruled that out last week, stating “the Senate is where I believe I can have the most impact.”