Before Native American Heritage Month ends, friend, I want to take a moment to honor some of the fierce Native women who made me who I am.

But first, I’m running to represent all New Mexicans and give a voice to those who don’t have one. Will you donate $5 to our grassroots campaign for governor to help make history in New Mexico?

From my great-grandmother, mother and many before them, I’ve been blessed to come from generations of resilient and fierce Pueblo women.

The fierce women who raised me – plus me in my Garth Brooks tee!

My mother, Mary Toya, was born and raised in a boxcar, where the Laguna people created a community far from their home. She proudly served in the U.S. Navy, raised four kids as a military wife, and devoted 25 years to Indian education at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Mom served in the Navy and played the snare drum in the Santa Fe Railroad Indian Band.

Standing on the shoulders of the Native women who came before me, I summoned the courage to run for office. When I became one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, I swore to leave the ladder down behind me so our youth would know they can be anything they want to be.

But here’s what I’m reminded of this Native American Heritage Month: History doesn’t just happen. We have to make it together.

No state in America has ever elected a Native American woman as governor. With your support, friend, we can change that.

But the governor's office in New Mexico has changed parties every eight years for decades, which means that the GOP and their billionaire donors will do anything to flip this seat in 2026.  

I'm counting on your grassroots support to help us fight back. So please, would you consider making a contribution of $5 to my campaign for governor today? I'd be so grateful to have you on our team.

Be fierce,

Deb