Martinez and Haaland

There's still time for Sam Bregman to put a dent in Deb Haaland's campaign, but she continues to place bricks in a blue wall surrounding her candidacy, cementing her front-runner status in the June 2 primary.

The latest brick was the endorsement of Haaland for the '26 Dem gubernatorial nomination by House Speaker Javier Martinez, joining her progressive base with the Democratic establishment. 

While many Dem leaders had already endorsed Haaland, Martinez held back. But the writing on the brick wall became more clear with Haaland's overpowering 74 to 25 percent win over Bregman at this month's Democratic party preprimary convention.

With the possibility of a Haaland-Martinez relationship dominating Santa Fe, the prospective partnership is being watched for policy repercussions. The Speaker's endorsement centered on policies already adopted rather than on what may come: 

New Mexico is rebuilding the village it takes to raise a child with every dollar we invest and every policy we pass. We’ve made life better and more affordable for working families by lowering costs, improving access to healthcare and housing, and launching a first-of-its-kind universal childcare program. . .As federal overreach threatens to undermine this progress, we need a leader who will stand up and fight back while advancing big, bold solutions for New Mexico’s working families. Deb Haaland is the only candidate with the necessary executive and legislative experience to keep our state moving forward at this pivotal moment and I am proud to endorse her for governor.

Haaland responded in kind: 

Speaker Martínez is a champion for working families. His steadfast leadership and record of delivering for New Mexico’s families has put our state in a strong position to serve our people, not big corporations, I am honored to earn his endorsement as I run to serve the people of our state. I will partner with the legislature to ensure people can afford their rent and groceries in the same month, can see a doctor when they’re sick, can live in safe communities, and have a quality public education. 

POSSIBLE TENSION POINTS 

Any tension between Haaland and Martinez would obviously not come over progressive social programs. Roundhouse watchers point to one possibility for relationship angst--our status as the second largest oil producing state and the over $70 billion in reserves largely made possible by the industry 

Haaland's base is rabid and unbending over climate change and their opposition to fossil fuels. Martinez has earned a reputation for being a dealmaker who understands the budget's reliance on oil--over a third of General Fund revenue and half the education budget. Industry supporters would look to him to temper Haaland’s environmental stance, ensuring there is no falling off a fiscal cliff. 

Haaland has already shown signs of moving to the middle. When elected to the US House in 2018 she was an ardent foe of fracking, the technology that made possible the SE NM oil boom. She has since backed away from that position. Also, as Secretary of Interior she had her wings clipped by President Biden when he insisted she approve the controversial Willow oil drilling project for Alaska. In public Haaland took the snub well.

While Haaland and Martinez are ideological cousins the nature of the would-be power couple's relationship would be impacted by staffing, according to insiders. Haaland is known for her political savvy rather than detailed policy or legislation. They believe she would be best served by a strong chief of staff and some equally strong cabinet secretaries.

The micromanager model of MLG--orders from the top with nonthreatening personnel marching in lockstep to carry them out--would be dispensed with and Haaland would be free to concentrate on mustering public support for her initiatives and deepening personal relationships with lawmakers.

Any weakness from the Fourth Floor would not go unnoticed. Martinez, who became Speaker in 2023, has successfully dealt with a headstrong chief executive and has also drained power from the Senate as it wrestles with internal dysfunction. Martinez's endorsement suggests he and Haaland have come to an understanding of sorts but much remains to be sorted out. 

EPSTEIN HIT 

PAC Ad

Before Haaland starts measuring the curtains for a Fourth Floor office, she has to get through more campaign challenges, and now PAC money is popping up to make sure she does. 

A group called Accountable New Mexico comes with a TV ad that takes Haaland to task over accepting a  ride on a jet linked to Jeffrey Epstein when she ran for lieutenant governor in 2014. The transcript: 

The Epstein files are exposing new shocking information. Governor candidate Deb Haaland accepted a ride on one of Epstein's private jets to a DC fundraiser. She took tens of thousands of dollars from Epstein's businesses, and the campaign even went back and asked for more. When Deb Haaland was asked, she dodged the question, referring it to a spokesperson. New Mexicans deserve leaders with integrity and transparency, not questions and excuses. 

Dem Guv candidate Gary King, who Haaland ran with in '14 and who she rode with on the jet, received over $36,500 in campaign contributions from Epstein. King said he returned the contributions but there is no official record that he did so. 

Haaland received no direct campaign money from Epstein. It's a distinction that can be confusing and that the ad uses to its advantage. 

Accountable New Mexico is registered with the SOS with a DC address and Rachel Duran as the treasurer. The first financial reporting deadline for the PAC is April 13. 

This the Home of New Mexico Politics.