In case you haven't heard…

On November 3, former Congresswoman and U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a Democrat, was elected as governor of New Mexico, the first Native American governor in U.S. history. In September, Haaland told The Guardian in an interview about her past struggle with alcohol. “It clouds your mind,” she said. “They say that, after the first drink, you lose your judgment.” Haaland developed a drinking problem after leaving high school and was twice arrested for driving under the influence. But in her 20s she decided to get sober, a battle that required personal commitment and critical external support. Haaland, now 65, has been sober since her 20s, but “it takes a lot of work,” she said. She was elected to Congress, one of the first two Native American women ever elected to the House, and then became the first Native American to serve as a U.S. cabinet secretary as interior secretary in 2021. She is often called a trailblazer because of her Native American heritage. But her willingness to be open about her past drinking and sobriety also make her a trailblazer. Congratulations to Haaland on her victory.