Two Native American women win historic elections

Historic wins for Native American women

Deb Haaland was elected governor of New Mexico and Peggy Flanagan became a senator in Minnesota on Tuesday night, both firsts for Native American women in those positions.

Haaland's path to the governorship

Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo and former Interior Secretary under President Joe Biden, defeated Republican Gregg Hull, former mayor of Rio Rancho, in the New Mexico governor race.

Flanagan wins Minnesota Senate seat

Peggy Flanagan, an enrolled member of White Earth Nation and Minnesota's lieutenant governor since 2019, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster and conservative commentator.

What Haaland and Flanagan stand for

Haaland ran on protecting New Mexico's Universal Child Care program and overhauling child welfare. Flanagan backed Medicare for All and national paid family and medical leave as a progressive candidate.

Why representation matters

Native American women make up approximately one percent of the U.S. population but have long been underrepresented in elected office. The National Congress of American Indians called the wins historic milestones for Indian Country.

“For young Native girls across Indian Country, these victories send an important message: their voices matter, their leadership is essential, and they belong wherever possibilities are reimagined.”

A third Native woman in the running

In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola, who is Yup'ik, is in a Senate race with incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan that remains a toss-up. The outcome may not be decided until ranked-choice tabulation later this month.