Common Defense and New Mexico Veterans Endorse Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor, Slam Trump’s VA Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2025
PRESS CONTACT: press@commondefense.us
Veterans stand with Haaland as she doubles down on her commitment to fighting for New Mexico’s 122,000+ veterans
SANTA FE, N.M. — Today, Common Defense, the nation’s largest grassroots membership organization of veterans, stood side-by-side with veterans and military families from across New Mexico to formally endorse Deb Haaland for New Mexico Governor. The press conference highlighted the harm Trump and the GOP’s renewed attacks on the Department of Veterans Affairs will cause New Mexico veterans.
“Deb doesn’t just talk about service—she lives it. She knows the sacrifices our families make, and she’s spent her career making sure we are seen, supported, and respected.” said Jose Vasquez, Common Defense Executive Director and U.S. Army Veteran “Deb’s story has always resonated with me. She’s a single mom from a military family who’s lived the struggle of balancing service, sacrifice, and day-to-day survival. Her roots in Albuquerque and experience running a small business ground her in the realities New Mexicans face, especially veterans and military families.”
Haaland committed to stand up for veterans by strengthening the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, filling the gaps to veterans programs after the Trump Administration slashed funding, creating programs that formally recognize veterans’ transferable skills in the civilian workforce, and cracking down on predatory businesses that try to exploit veterans.
“Let's be honest about this moment: We're facing coordinated attacks on our rights, our freedoms, and our future. The Trump administration is back, and they're coming directly for our veterans—more than 120,000 of whom call New Mexico home.” said Deb Haaland “To our veterans in the audience and standing behind me—you've already proven that when our democracy is threatened, you stand up. That’s why I’m stepping up for you.”
In addition to announcing their endorsement of Haaland, Common Defense also announced the formation of the Vets for Deb affinity group. Vets for Deb will be a critical contributor to Haaland’s campaign efforts to reach voters who have been left behind by the current Presidential administration.
Josh Jones, Air Force Veteran and member of the Vets for Deb affinity group, said “We can trust Deb to fight for veterans. Deb’s strong record shows that she understands what veterans go through and the services we deserve for serving our country.”
[PHOTOS FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE]
###
Common Defense Civic Engagement is a grassroots, veteran-led organization (501c4) that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.