Save the Children Action Network Endorses Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor 

Save the Children Action Network Endorses Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (September 17, 2026) — Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), the political voice for kids, today announced its endorsement of former U.S. Representative and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for governor of New Mexico, citing her strong record and continued commitment to expanding access to childcare, early childhood education and food assistance for New Mexico families. 

“Deb Haaland has consistently demonstrated that she understands what children and families need to thrive,” said Maribel Salmon, SCAN’s interim New Mexico state manager. “From her leadership on universal childcare in Congress to her commitment to strengthening New Mexico’s universal childcare program today, she has made children and families a priority. And she understands firsthand how important programs like SNAP and WIC can be to families putting food on the table. SCAN is proud to endorse her for governor.” 

Haaland has spoken openly about relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) while raising her family. Her campaign has made food security and affordability central to her agenda, and during the 2025 federal government shutdown, she publicly called attention to the impact of the lapse in SNAP benefits on New Mexico families. 

As a member of Congress, Haaland introduced legislation to provide families nationwide with access to free, high-quality childcare and early learning opportunities. Her current education plan calls for strengthening New Mexico’s universal childcare program, including raising wages for early childhood educators. 

SCAN’s endorsement builds on its longstanding work in New Mexico to advance policies that give children a strong start in life, including securing millions of dollars for early educator pay wages and securing sustainable funding for early childhood education via the creation of the Early Childhood Trust Fund and the state’s Land Grant Permanent Fund, which are critical to the success of the state’s universal childcare program. 

“New Mexico has made historic progress for children and families, including becoming the first state to guarantee universal childcare,” Salmon said. “The next governor will play an important role in building on that progress, ensuring that early educators are paid what they are worth and families across the state can access the resources they need. Deb Haaland has shown that she is ready to do that.” 

###  

Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) was created in 2014 as the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, to be the political voice for kids. We work to ensure that issues critical to children’s lives and futures are given top priority by elected leaders, building support to make sure every child has a strong start in life. 

Learn more about SCAN at savethechildrenactionnetwork.org⁠. 

Paid for by Save the Children Action Network NM IE Committee. 

Media Contact: media@savechildren.org