By Julia Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, folks. It is morning, isn’t it? You’ll have to forgive us if we keep the niceties short today as we’re both sleep-deprived and still running on adrenaline. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty for you to read below, including stories on last night’s historic win by Deb Haaland, New Mexico’s next governor. In addition to reports on some of the state’s top races, be sure to check out our live blog from yesterday, in which we tracked wins up and down New Mexico’s ballot, along with thoughts from voters across the state throughout the day. We will have more reporting on the aftermath of Tuesday’s election today at sourcenm.com. Thanks for being here! Happy Wednesday.
Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, became the nation’s first female Native American governor after New Mexico voters elected her on Nov. 3, 2026. Pictured at her victory party. (Photo by Danielle Prokop for Source NM)
New Mexico elects Democrat Deb Haaland as first Native American woman governor in US
Deb Haaland, a former U.S. interior secretary who previously represented New Mexico in Congress, made history Tuesday night as the first Native American woman in the nation to be elected governor, winning her race against Republican Gregg Hull. In her victory speech last night at the Route 66 Casino Hotel, Haaland pointed to the significance of holding the celebration on Laguna Pueblo land. “I remember carrying water from the community spigot and playing outside from sunrise to sunset, spending time in my grandfather’s cornfield, helping him irrigate,” she told the crowd. “And just off this road, my grandmother was taken away to boarding school…yet we are still here.”
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) announced the birth of his first son with his fiancee on Nov. 1, and won reelection to the 2nd Congressional District on Nov. 3. He Facetimed with his fiancee Nikki at his victory party in Las Cruces. State Sen. Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) is pictured behind him. (Photo by Leah Romero for Source NM)
US Rep. Vasquez wins closely watched Congressional District 2 race
Following a campaign with national interest and millions of special interest dollars, incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez on Tuesday night won reelection in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District in a race against Republican Greg Cunningham, a former Marine and Albuquerque police officer. Fellow Democrats U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernández also won reelection to their seats in Congressional Districts 1 and 3, and Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján declared victory early in the night in his race against Republican Larry Marker.
The Roundhouse pictured Oct. 1, 2025, the opening day of the special legislative session. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)
New Mexico voters approve salaries for legislators
New Mexico lawmakers will have the option to receive salaries starting in 2029, following voter approval of Constitutional Amendment 4. “New Mexicans today have rejected the status quo, and opened the door to a government that reflects their lived experience and the challenges they face every day. This vote is a historic step toward a more representative and accountable Legislature,” Eli Cuna, Vote for Change campaign manager said in a statement.
Voters cast ballots on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026, at Mesilla Town Hall. (Photo by Leah Romero for Source NM)
New Mexico voters (mostly) ready to make history
Source’s reporters talked to voters on Tuesday at the polls in Albuquerque, Española, Rio Rancho, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Santo Domingo Pueblo about what brought them out to vote. Unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office report just under 50% turnout, slightly less than the 2022 midterms in New Mexico. Many voters with whom Source NM spoke were excited to elect Deb Haaland as the first woman governor in the United States. And many were ready to be part of the blue wave pushing back at the Trump administration. For more interviews (including video) check out yesterday’s live blog.
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