Deb Haaland is an experienced leader who understands the needs of the community and is an advocate for racial, economic, and environmental justice. 

Deb Haaland is a 35th Generation New Mexican and a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna. Haaland graduated with her undergraduate and her Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico. For several years, Halaand ran a small business before becoming the first woman elected to Chair the Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors. There, she oversaw business operations and the second largest tribal gaming enterprise and created policies for earth-friendly business practices and served as a tribal administrator to provide services to adults with developmental disabilities. In 2014, Haaland became the Chair of the New Mexico Democratice State party, becoming the first Native American woman to be elected to lead a state party. During her tenure, she traveled to Standing Rock to protect tribal sovereignty. In 2018, Haaland ran and became one of the first two Native American Women elected to Congress where she served as the Chair of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. She also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and is a member of the Committee of House Armed Services as well as the Subcommittees for Indigenours Peoples of the United States, Readiness, and Military Personnel.

 

Cunningham and his wife Elizabeth now live in Raleigh with their two children Caroline and Will.