New Mexico Gov.-elect Haaland names transition and inaugural teams, including former US Sen. Udall

New Mexico Gov.-elect Deb Haaland this week announced a slate of well-known New Mexico Democrats charged with leading her transition and inauguration ahead of her taking office in January.

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) will be the honorary chair of Haaland’s transition team, Haaland’s team announced Tuesday. He represented New Mexico in the U.S. Senate between 2009 and 2021, following terms in the U.S. House and as the state’s attorney general. Udall most recently served as U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during former Democratic President Joe Biden’s single term in office ending in 2025.

“The Haaland Administration will be laser-focused on delivering for working families by bringing down costs and putting money back in people’s pockets,” Udall said in a statement, adding that the team is committed to Haaland’s “vision to create opportunities for New Mexicans and protect our state for future generations.”

In addition to Udall, Haaland named 16 “honorary co-chairs” of her transition team, including all five members of New Mexico’s current congressional delegation; leaders of the state House and Senate; and governors of four New Mexico pueblos that endorsed her during the primary or general election campaigns. 

Those pueblos include Jemez Pueblo Gov. John Galvan, Picuris Pueblo Gov. John Galvan, Zuni Pueblo Gov. Arden Kucate and Santo Domingo Pueblo Gov. Raymond Aguilar Jr. Navajo Nation President-elect Crystalyne Curley is also on the list of co-chairs. 

Incoming state Senate Majority Leader Sen. Linda Trujillo (D-Albuquerque) said in a post on social media Wednesday morning that she has watched two gubernatorial transitions “from the sidelines” as a longtime lawmaker and former cabinet secretary. 

“Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the thoughtful planning, collaboration, and hard work that go into preparing a new administration to serve,” she said. “I’m grateful for the trust and excited to help lay the groundwork for New Mexico’s next chapter.”

Haaland’s team also named former Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez, who recently spearheaded the planning stages of a large New Mexico State Fairgrounds redevelopment project on behalf of outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, as chair of her inauguration efforts. Alongside him is Clara Apodaca, who served as New Mexico’s first lady when her husband, the late Jerry Apodaca, served as governor between 1975 and 1979. 

Serving as inauguration director is Britton Hansen, Haaland’s campaign’s former state and events director. The deputy director is Leah Johnson, who served as the campaign’s finance director, according to the announcement from Haaland’s campaign.  

Last week, Haaland named state Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair as her chief of staff. Nair’s responsibilities also include guiding the transition to Haaland’s administration, as well as coordinating her staffing, cabinet appointments and policy priorities.