Native American women have achieved historic representation in the US midterms, with Deb Haaland projected to become the first Native woman governor in New Mexico and Peggy Flanagan set to become the first Native woman to secure a US Senate seat in Minnesota. According to Decision Desk HQ, Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo member and former secretary of the Interior, easily defeated Republican Gregg Hull in her race.
Deb Haaland has promised voters to improve public education in New Mexico and tackle the rising cost of living, having experienced economic instability herself before launching a small salsa-making business. She is the third consecutive woman to hold the office in the state. Voters in New Mexico also made history by electing two women of colour to the state's top jobs, with Stephanie Garcia Richard set to serve as Haaland's lieutenant governor.
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's lieutenant governor, is Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation. She won her race after a closely fought primary, defeating Republican Michele Tafoya, a sportscaster and talk show host. Flanagan has promised voters to address rising costs and corruption. Her victory marks a significant milestone for Native American representation in Congress.
The election of Haaland and Flanagan brings attention to the issue of violence against Native American women, which both candidates have addressed during their time in public office. In Alaska, a hyper-competitive race for an open US Senate seat could see former Rep. Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, return to Washington. If successful, she would join Flanagan in making Senate history for Native American women.
Despite these historic wins, Native American women remain underrepresented in Congress. According to data, Native American women make up about 1.5 percent of the US population, but would need to elect at least seven Native American women to achieve equitable representation in Congress. Currently, Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas is the longest-serving Native woman in Congress, having been first elected in 2018.
The midterms have seen a record number of Native candidates running for office, with at least 355 candidates participating in local, state, and federal elections. Half of these candidates were women, with Native women making up a majority of the 253 candidates who won their races in 2024. This trend suggests that Indigenous women are winning elections at higher rates than ever.
The victories of Haaland, Flanagan, and other Native American women in the midterms mark a significant step towards greater representation and diversity in US politics. As the US continues to strive for equitable representation, the achievements of these women serve as a milestone for the Native American community and a testament to the growing presence of underrepresented groups in politics.
Key points
- Deb Haaland is projected to become the first Native woman governor in New Mexico.
- Peggy Flanagan is set to become the first Native woman to secure a US Senate seat in Minnesota.
- Native American women are winning elections at higher rates than ever, with a record number of candidates participating in local, state, and federal elections.
