Haaland vows to protect veteran services, while criticizing proposed federal cuts

SANTA FE — Deb Haaland vowed Wednesday to protect veterans’ services in New Mexico, in response to President Donald Trump’s administration’s plans to cut more than 80,000 jobs from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate, who stepped down as U.S. Interior secretary just before Trump took office in January, cited the proposed cuts while saying she would expand rural transportation programs and crack down on businesses that prey on vulnerable veterans.

“This isn’t politics as usual,” Haaland said . “This is a betrayal.”

Haaland, who grew up in a military family, made the remarks during a Wednesday news conference in Santa Fe to announce the launch of a “Vets for Deb” coalition.

The leaders of Common Defense, a New York-based progressive veterans organization, also attended the event to announce their endorsement of Haaland. The group plans to hire staffers in New Mexico and launch television ads to bolster Haaland’s campaign, said Common Defense’s Executive Director Jose Vasquez.

Haaland has not released policy positions on most key issues since announcing her campaign in February, but told reporters Wednesday she planned to do so in the coming months.

“It seems early, but it looks like everybody’s ready to move forward really quickly,” said Haaland, who plans to speak at a Santa Fe water summit on Thursday and recently announced her campaign has raised nearly $3.7 million since February.

Haaland is facing competition for the Democratic nomination in next year’s race to be governor, as Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima have also announced campaigns.

Bregman has also secured early endorsements in the race, as he announced the backing of five local labor unions last month, including the Albuquerque Police Officers Association.

On the Republican side, Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull confirmed in April his plans to run, but recently postponed his planned formal campaign launch. Cannabis entrepreneur Duke Rodriguez has also confirmed interest in running, and other GOP candidates could emerge in the coming weeks and months.

Meanwhile, New Mexico lawmakers have already taken steps in recent years to benefit veterans, including approving a bill this year — after voters ratified a constitutional amendment — that will expand an existing veterans’ property tax exemption.

As of 2023, New Mexico was home to more than 122,000 veterans, or about 7.4% of the state’s adult population, according to the state Department of Workforce Solutions. That’s slightly higher than the national average, as veterans made up 6.1% of the United States’ population.