Yvette Herrell

Stella Yvette Herrell is an American politician and former realtor who served as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from January 3, 2021, until January 3, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Herrell's political career includes serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives prior to her tenure in Congress. She is notable for being the first Republican Native woman elected to Congress, as well as the first Cherokee woman and the third Native American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Herrell's political career has been marked by a series of electoral contests, including two runs for Congress and multiple terms in the state legislature.

Early life and career

Yvette Herrell was born on March 16, 1964, in Ruidoso, New Mexico. She is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, which informs her identity and political perspective. Her early education took place at Cloudcroft High School, after which she pursued a legal secretary diploma from ITT Technical Institute in Boise, Idaho. This institution, which was a for-profit educational chain, ultimately ceased operations in 2016 due to various controversies.

Following her education at ITT, Herrell returned to New Mexico, where she attended New Mexico State University. However, she did not complete her bachelor's degree. Instead, she began a career in real estate, working as a realtor in Alamogordo. Herrell later advanced her career by becoming a real estate broker for Future Real Estate in the same city, where she gained experience and established her professional reputation.

Herrell's political career began at the state level when she successfully ran for a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. In 2010, she challenged the incumbent Republican representative for District 51, Gloria Vaughn, in the primary election. Herrell won the primary and subsequently secured her position in the general election, marking the beginning of her legislative career.

House tenure

Yvette Herrell's tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives began on January 3, 2021, after she won the 2020 election for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district. Her election followed a competitive campaign in which she defeated Democratic incumbent Xochitl Torres Small, who had narrowly won against Herrell in the 2018 election. In the 2020 election, Herrell campaigned on issues such as strengthening border security, supporting small businesses, and advocating against excessive government regulation.

During her time in Congress, Herrell was involved in various legislative matters and was a member of several committees. She served on the Committee on Natural Resources, where she participated in subcommittees focused on energy, mineral resources, and national parks, forests, and public lands. Additionally, she was a member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, contributing to discussions on environmental issues and government operations.

Herrell's congressional career was characterized by her active participation in debates surrounding defense and immigration. In June 2021, she voted to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq, aligning with a faction of House Republicans who sought to limit military engagement. In September 2021, she voted against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which included provisions related to the draft for women.

On immigration, Herrell was vocal about her support for deploying the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border, emphasizing her commitment to border security. In 2022, she sponsored legislation aimed at providing temporary political asylum to Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates, highlighting her focus on individual rights and government intervention.

Despite her efforts, Herrell faced challenges in her re-election bid in 2022. She ran unopposed in the Republican primary but lost to Democratic nominee Gabe Vasquez in the general election by a narrow margin. Following her departure from Congress, she continued to engage in political activities, including a subsequent run for her former congressional seat in 2024, which also resulted in a loss to Vasquez.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Yvette Herrell's legislative focus reflected her Republican values and priorities. She was a member of the Freedom Caucus and the Republican Study Committee, both of which advocate for conservative policies and limited government intervention. Herrell's positions on various issues were influenced by her background in real estate and her experiences as a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Herrell's involvement in the Committee on Natural Resources allowed her to address issues related to land management and energy policy, which are significant in New Mexico, a state rich in natural resources. Her work on the Committee on Oversight and Reform further enabled her to engage with matters concerning government accountability and environmental regulations.

Herrell's political positions included a strong stance on immigration, where she advocated for stricter border security measures and policies that aligned with her party's platform. Her support for deploying the National Guard to the border and her sponsorship of asylum legislation for protesting truckers underscored her commitment to these issues.

In addition to her legislative work, Herrell's political career has been marked by her historical significance as a Native American woman in Congress. Her election as the first Republican Native woman and her representation of the Cherokee Nation brought attention to the importance of diversity in political leadership.

After her congressional tenure, Herrell was nominated by former President Donald Trump in June 2025 to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations, a position that underscores her continued involvement in public service and policy-making. Her career reflects a blend of local and national political engagement, with a focus on issues pertinent to her constituents and her identity as a Native American leader.