SANTA FE, N.M. — Governor-elect Deb Haaland has announced that Sarita Nair, the current secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, will serve as chief of staff in her incoming administration.
The appointment marks the first senior staff selection publicly announced by Haaland since her victory in New Mexico’s gubernatorial election last week.
In her new role, Nair will help oversee staffing decisions, cabinet appointments, and policy priorities as Haaland prepares to take office in January.
Haaland described Nair as an experienced public servant whose background in government and law will help shape the administration’s agenda. The governor-elect said Nair’s leadership will be important as the administration focuses on affordability and government accountability.
Nair has served as secretary of the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions since 2022 after being appointed by outgoing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. During her tenure, she oversaw the state’s labor and workforce programs and later took on responsibilities related to housing initiatives.
Before joining state government, Nair served as chief administrative officer for the City of Albuquerque under Mayor Tim Keller. She also worked with Keller during his time as New Mexico state auditor.
In a statement, Nair said she was honored by the appointment and looks forward to supporting Haaland’s administration on issues including affordability, health care access, and public safety.
Haaland is expected to announce additional members of her administration in the coming weeks as the transition process continues ahead of her inauguration.
