The Roundhouse Report: Sandia Pueblo endorses Bregman, snubs Haaland

One of the most powerful tribes in New Mexico has endorsed Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman over former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in what is quickly becoming a fiercely competitive Democratic primary for governor of New Mexico.

Come November 2026, it's voters, not endorsements from a tribal council or anyone else, that matter most.

But Sandia Pueblo's decision to back Bregman over Haaland, a 35th generation New Mexican who is a member of Laguna Pueblo and made history as the first Native American to serve in a federal Cabinet post, is notable since it endorsed a white man over an Indigenous trail blazer.

"It's a signal that Haaland, who is Laguna Pueblo, isn't galvanizing New Mexico's Native Americans as she did during her 2021 confirmation hearing for interior secretary, when she rallied Indigenous people in the U.S.," the outlet reported.

Haaland has landed multiple endorsements, including from Jemez Pueblo, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Native Organizers Alliance.

Sandia Pueblo's governor, Felix Chaves, called Bregman a proven fighter.

"At a time when Native Americans across the country are demanding justice and representation, Sam is the only candidate who has consistently shown up and delivered," Chaves said in a statement issued by Bregman's campaign. "The Pueblo of Sandia Tribal Council is proud to stand with him."

Bregman's campaign said the endorsement was a powerful reminder communities long ignored by the political establishment deserve and are demanding a seat at the table.

"To say I’m honored and humbled is an understatement," Bregman, who is of Jewish decent, said in a statement.

"From my early days on the Albuquerque City Council, where I established the Hate Crimes Task Force to protect minority communities, to my work as Bernalillo County District Attorney, where my office launched the first of its kind Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Unit, I’ve always stood shoulder to shoulder with our Native communities. Because I know that we only move forward when we move forward together," he said.