New Mexico Becomes First State to Elect All Women of Color to the House

Women of color ran for Congress in record numbers this year leading to a historic moment for New Mexico when it became the first state to elect all WOC for the House of Representatives. On Wednesday the state confirmed victories for Rep. Deb Haaland, Yvette Herrell, and Teresa Leger Fernandez in New Mexico’s three congressional districts. They join Ritchie Torres and The Squad — including AOC — in diversifying Congress after this year’s election.

“Tonight the people of New Mexico have chosen hope over fear, love over hate, community over division, and I am so honored that New Mexicans have chosen me to serve in our nation’s 117th Congress,” Haaland wrote on Tuesday night.

Tonight the people of New Mexico have chosen hope over fear, love over hate, community over division, and I am so honored that New Mexican’s have chosen me to serve in our nation’s 117th Congress.#nmpol pic.twitter.com/PJ3IacPC7X

— Deb Haaland (@DebHaalandNM) November 4, 2020

Deb Haaland made history in 2018 when she became one of the first two Native American congresswomen. The Democrat won reelection in the 1st Congressional District on a platform that includes environmental justice and fighting for the rights of Indigenous people. She is an enrolled citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna and identifies as a 35th generation New Mexican.

Republican Yvette Herrell won her race against incumbent Democratic Representative Xochitl Torres Small in the state’s 2nd Congressional District. Torres Small was victorious against Herrell in 2018 by a slim margin (fewer than 3,800 votes) but for the rematch Herrell, who had less funding, took the seat. Herrell, 56, is a member of the Cherokee Nation, and her win signals the return of Republican control of the 2nd district which has been the case for all but four of the last 40 years, The Hill reports.

“It’s the honor of my life to be elected to serve #NM02,” Herrell tweeted after her win. “My commitment to each citizen of our district is that I will serve each of them with integrity as we work together to rebuild our economy and protect the values that make America great!”

It’s the honor of my life to be elected to serve #NM02. My commitment to each citizen of our district is that I will serve each of them with integrity as we work together to rebuild our economy and protect the values that make America great! #NMPOL pic.twitter.com/8LTYnJvncu

— Yvette Herrell (@Yvette4congress) November 4, 2020

Democrat and New Mexico native Teresa Leger Fernandez, 60, won in the state’s 3rd Congressional District and became the first Latina to represent the district. She ran the social impact law firm Leger Law and Strategy in Santa Fe and advocated for the rights of women, immigrants, and Indigenous communities.

The people of New Mexico have chosen to protect what we love – our democracy, our planet, our families and communities, our health care and our future. With this victory, I promise you I will take the courageous action that this historic moment demands. Muchísimas gracias! pic.twitter.com/KtoxfLTYsc

— Teresa Leger Fernandez (@TeresaForNM) November 4, 2020

“The people of New Mexico have chosen to protect what we love — our democracy, our planet, our families and communities, our health care and our future,” she tweeted. “With this victory, I promise you I will take the courageous action that this historic moment demands. Muchísimas gracias!”