Native Vote 2026
With Election Day approaching, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) was joined by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear over the weekend for campaign events focused on veterans’ housing, affordability and access to rural healthcare.
Kelly joined Haaland in Albuquerque for a roundtable discussion at the Veterans Integration Center (VIC), a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and their families throughout New Mexico.
The center provides a range of services, including housing assistance, peer support, food and nutrition programs, and case management.
The discussion focused on veterans’ housing needs and the rising cost of living, issues Haaland has emphasized throughout her campaign.
Beshear joined Haaland in Santa Fe for a canvass launch before participating in a question-and-answer session in Española focused on rural healthcare.
Access to healthcare remains a significant challenge for many New Mexicans, particularly those living in rural communities who must travel hours to see a doctor. Haaland previously visited a hospital in Española to discuss the challenges facing rural healthcare providers and explore potential solutions to expand access to care.
“I am grateful that Senator Kelly and Governor Beshear joined me in the final weeks before the election,” Haaland said. “It was an honor to have Senator Kelly listen to New Mexicans and share ideas on how to improve the lives of our veterans. Governor Beshear has experience dealing with potential cuts to rural hospitals in his state and brought a great perspective on how to navigate threats by the Trump administration.”
Haaland’s weekend campaign schedule also included a run to the polls with a local running club, a canvass launch with local unions, the Fourth in the Nation Matanza Rally, a meet-and-greet in Los Alamos, and a block party in Santa Fe.
Throughout the campaign, Haaland has emphasized meeting voters in their communities, engaging in face-to-face conversations and answering questions about the issues affecting their daily lives.
Her platform focuses on lowering costs by holding large corporations accountable, improving education through early reading interventions and expanding trade programs in schools, making communities safer by equipping law enforcement and addressing the root causes of crime, and expanding healthcare access through a public option.
As the election approaches, Haaland is seeking to build support around an agenda centered on the economic pressures facing working families, the needs of veterans and the challenges confronting rural communities across New Mexico.
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