Friend, one thing you might not know about me beyond the fact that I'm running to be New Mexico’s next governor, is that my first job was in a bakery in Southeast Albuquerque. I honed my work ethic in that bakery, and today I LOVE to cook and bake. 

During the holidays, one of my favorite ways to show appreciation is by sharing something homemade. I make biscochitos, New Mexico’s state cookie, for friends, family, and my campaign staff. Baking them always brings me back to home, to my family, our traditions, and the values that shaped me.

For me, cooking has always been about more than food. It’s how I show care, build connections, and bring people together around a table. My grandmother woke up every day before the sun, and gave me my true love of cooking New Mexican cuisine. She taught me that service starts at home and extends outward to the community, and that everyone deserves dignity, care, and a seat at the table.

I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. Back when I was in law school at UNM, I’d make green chile chicken posole for student gatherings. During the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, I cooked chile and rolled tortillas for the water protectors, and later on for my congressional colleagues during the 2019 winter holiday season, I shared red chile and tamales. 

Food has the power to bring people together. There is something unifying about sharing a home-cooked meal or baked goods, even with those you don't know well or don't always agree with. 

Since launching this campaign, I have traveled across the state – breaking bread with New Mexican families from all walks of life. I've sat at kitchen tables and heard all about people's struggles and their hopes for the future. New Mexicans want a governor who will fight for affordable healthcare, child care, public safety, housing, strengthen our schools, and protect our environment

That’s the kind of governor I will be.

Like making biscochitos, being that kind of governor takes patience and determination. It means listening closely, respecting every ingredient, and doing the work carefully, by hand, step by step, until it comes together the right way.

I am ready on day one to get to work. We will start by raising wages and making sure every community has access to affordable healthcare. We will make it easier for neighborhood markets to open, eliminating food deserts across our state, and for grocery stores to carry New Mexico grown food.

We will ban price gouging and make up for federal cuts to Medicaid so families can stay healthy. We will help kids read better and earlier. We will expand access to mental health programs, get drugs off our streets, and keep our communities safe.

If we get the ingredients right, we can build a New Mexico where every family can thrive. That’s a recipe worth fighting for: That is why I'm asking you to invest in this campaign before the year ends to make sure we have the resources we need to stand up to GOP attacks and win in 2026. When you click this link and donate, I'll share my family's biscochito recipe so you can have a little piece of New Mexican holiday joy to celebrate the new year!

Thank you, friend. Happy holidays (and happy biscochito season!) to you and your loved ones.

💛 Deb

P.S. Throughout my life, cooking has always been a source of comfort and a way to bring my community together — and bringing people together is exactly how we’ll win this race. If you make a donation of any amount through this link, I’ll be sure to send you my recipe for biscochitos so you can share them with your friends and family.