Native Vote 2026. , a national campaign finance reform group, announced Thursday that it is endorsing Deb Haaland in the New Mexico gubernatorial race, citing her reliance on grassroots fundraising and opposition to special interest influence in politics.
The endorsement highlights Haaland’s campaign fundraising base, which her supporters say includes donors from every county in the state. The campaign reports an average grassroots contribution of $23.21, with more than 110,000 individual donors making over 254,000 donations.
End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller said Haaland’s background and campaign approach distinguish her from candidates backed by corporate interests.
“As big corporations and billionaires are buying their way into politics and rigging the system against working people, Deb understands what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet and wants the system to work for everyday New Mexicans,” Muller said. “Deb has made grassroots support central to her campaign for governor because she wants to hear directly from voters across the state. No one is buying their way into Deb’s values and ECU is proud to support her.”
Haaland has said that, if elected governor, she would work to limit the influence of special interest groups in New Mexico politics. Her campaign platform includes proposals to increase transparency for lobbyists, close what she describes as “dark money” loopholes in state law, and pursue structural reforms at the Roundhouse aimed at reducing reliance on lobbyists.
Those reforms include paying legislators a full-time salary to broaden the pool of candidates, extending legislative session lengths, and strengthening staffing support for lawmakers, according to her campaign.
Haaland previously supported federal campaign finance reforms while serving in Congress. She co-sponsored the For the People Act, legislation aimed at reducing the influence of big money in politics through expanded transparency, new ethics rules, public financing options and expanded voting rights protections.
“Our democracy works best when every voice is heard and not just those with the biggest bank accounts,” Haaland said. “Grassroots campaigns support working class candidates, who aren’t in the pocket of special interests. I’m committed to standing up to corporate CEOs, billionaires, and special interests and fighting for New Mexicans first.”
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