© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A New Chair For New Mexico Democrats

Debra Haaland

A Democratic activist and tribal administrator from Albuquerque is the new leader of New Mexico's Democratic Party.

Debra Haaland became the first Native American to lead a state party in New Mexico on Saturday following a Democratic State Central Committee meeting at a high school gym in Albuquerque.

The 54-year-old, who ran for lieutenant governor last year, beat Santa Fe County party chairman Richard Ellenberg by a vote of 214 to 168.

Haaland replaces Sam Bregman.

Bregman decided not to seek a second term after the party's historic election loss in November that saw Republicans gain control of the New Mexico House for the first time in 60 years.

Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, says she plans to start soliciting for more funds and doing outreach for minority voters.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.