Haaland starts transition with Cabinet search and funding challenges ahead

Deb Haaland began preparing Wednesday to take charge of New Mexico’s government, turning from a decisive election victory to assembling an administration with 57 days remaining before her inauguration. The Democrat, who became the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history, said interviews with prospective Cabinet members would begin in the coming days.

Speaking to reporters during a lunch visit to Albuquerque’s Barelas Coffee House, Haaland said she had waited for the election results before moving ahead with transition plans. Her team also launched a website providing information to people interested in administration jobs. She expressed confidence in finding suitable leaders, but did not directly answer whether Republicans and independents would be considered for appointments.

Among her first priorities is selecting a secretary to lead the Children, Youth and Families Department. The agency has experienced repeated leadership changes during outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s more than seven years in office and has struggled to bring down repeat child maltreatment rates. Haaland said she wanted a “qualified, passionate, experienced” person for the position.

Haaland also plans to meet with Lujan Grisham, who left her a congratulatory message and said Wednesday that she would support a smooth transfer of power. Lieutenant governor-elect Stephanie Garcia Richard, appearing with Haaland, said she had already begun preliminary discussions with leading Democratic lawmakers about priorities for the 60-day legislative session beginning in January. She highlighted proposed legislation establishing new guardrails for large-scale data center developments.

The incoming administration faces a compressed schedule. Haaland, who received nearly 57% of the vote, will take office on Jan. 1 as New Mexico’s 33rd governor since statehood. A budget recommendation will be due within days of her inauguration, with lawmakers scheduled to convene Jan. 19. Garcia Richard will also be sworn in on New Year’s Day.

Their arrival will coincide with federal funding changes affecting healthcare and food assistance programs. State health officials estimate that new work requirements for adults receiving Medicaid could cause more than 90,000 New Mexico residents to lose coverage. Haaland and Garcia Richard indicated they would ask lawmakers for stopgap funding to soften the effects of the Republican-backed federal funding bill. Haaland said maintaining affordable healthcare was essential, arguing that people without coverage turn to emergency rooms and drive up costs for everyone.

Unofficial results showed Haaland comfortably defeating Republican Gregg Hull in Tuesday’s election while winning 15 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. Her strongest geographic advantage included decisive victories in Bernalillo, Doña Ana and Santa Fe, the state’s three most populous counties. She also finished narrowly ahead of Hull in Sandoval County, where he lives.

Haaland said her experience as U.S. Interior secretary had prepared her to serve as governor and pledged to devote equal effort to residents regardless of how they voted. “We are one New Mexico, and I want to build a New Mexico for all New Mexicans,” she said.