Sandia Pueblo Supports Key Opponents in New Mexico Gubernatorial Race
Sandia Pueblo, a prominent American Indian tribe in New Mexico, has voiced its support for major rivals of former Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in the upcoming 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Sam Bregman, who is running for the Bernalillo County District Attorney position, has been endorsed by the tribe. A letter from Sandia Pueblo Governor Felix Chaves expressed confidence that Bregman would advocate for tribal sovereignty and effective water and irrigation policies. Chaves noted that Bregman is “the only candidate who has been consistently shown and delivered.”
Bregman expressed his gratitude, saying, “To say I am honored and humbled is an understatement.” He highlighted his past efforts at the Albuquerque City Council where he helped establish a Hate Crime Task Force and his tenure as District Attorney, during which he initiated a unit focused on missing and murdered Native Americans. His campaign appears to be gaining traction with strong early support from various tribes.
Haaland, the first Native American to serve in a cabinet role, had previously taken significant steps to support Native American interests. She streamlined the review process for tribal water issues and worked to foster “tribal self-determination” and sovereignty, as stated in a 2022 press release from her department.
Yet, her tenure was not without controversy. In the following year, the Navajo Parliament opposed a substantial ban on oil and gas drilling in New Mexico, criticizing the influence of activist groups on Haaland’s policies. Some organizations have commended her approach to conservation and tribal relations as historic. Under her leadership, the Department of the Interior has been addressing issues related to colonialism and racism.
However, Haaland faced skepticism during her time in office. Republican Senator Josh Hawley remarked in 2024 that she appeared “unsure of who is in charge,” particularly regarding key energy policies. Furthermore, a government watchdog group filed an ethical complaint against her in 2023.
Bregman, meanwhile, has made headlines with a critique of “Washington Democrats,” calling them “weak, ineffective, and complicit.” His campaign is gaining momentum, with the Sandia Pueblo Tribe operating about 22,877 acres and providing jobs for over 2,000 residents, which includes both Native and non-Native individuals.
Haaland, who launched her gubernatorial campaign in February, has received support from one federally recognized tribe, Jemez Pueblo. Although she had backing from key Democratic party members during her congressional tenure, she notably lacked support from Senator Martin Heinrich, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The recent entry of former Las Cruces mayor Ken Miyagishima into the race adds another layer of competition in the primary. Incumbent Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham cannot run for a third term due to limitations on consecutive terms.
Bregman, a former chair of the New Mexico Democrats, has family ties to sports as his son plays for the Boston Red Sox. The Sandia Pueblo Tribe declined to comment on the situation, and Haaland’s campaign has yet to respond to inquiries.
