Former President Barack Obama endorsed Deb Haaland in the New Mexico gubernatorial race, in which she is running against Republican Gregg Hull.
Obama is typically reserved in his campaign endorsements, but has a long track record of boosting Haaland. Haaland has openly boasted about her start in politics organizing for Obama’s 2008 campaign, something she reaffirmed in her statement on social media thanking the former president.
“Thank you, President Barack Obama. Your support means more to me than I can say,” she said in her caption under the video. “I got my start organizing for your campaign, inspired by the belief that together, we can make real change. That set me on a path fighting for New Mexicans.”
“Now, I’m ready to deliver as governor: Lower costs, stronger schools, safer communities, and better healthcare,” Haaland added.
In his endorsement video, Obama also highlighted her beginnings.
“New Mexico, you have an opportunity to elect a real fighter as your next governor — Deb Haaland,” he began. “Deb and I started out as organizers, and we learned that leadership is about listening, getting to know people, and hearing their stories.”
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“That’s what Deb did on my campaign, knocking on thousands of doors in Indian country, and all these years later, she’s still listening to folks in every corner of New Mexico,” Obama continued.
New Mexico has long been a reliably blue state, and most polls have Haaland carrying the race by a comfortable margin.