Native American women make history in U.S. midterm elections
Deb Haaland and Peggy Flanagan have made history in the U.S. midterm elections, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor and U.S. senator, respectively, marking a milestone for Indigenous political representation in the U.S.
Deb Haaland elected New Mexico governor, Peggy Flanagan elected to U.S. Senate
Sis'moqon · CBC News
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Native American women saw landmark victories for Indigenous representation in the United States midterm elections Tuesday.
Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo, is the first Native American woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state, while Peggy Flanagan, who is Ojibway and a member of White Earth Nation, is the first Native American woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
Their victories come amid a sweeping Democratic win that saw the party take control of both chambers of Congress.
Haaland is no stranger to making political history. In 2018, she became one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
She later became the first Native American to serve as a U.S. cabinet secretary, when she was appointed secretary of the interior in 2021.
During her campaign for governor, Haaland focused on affordability, economic security and environmental protections, including a proposed moratorium on large-scale data centres and stronger safeguards for New Mexico's natural resources.
The U.S. Capitol is seen a day after the midterm elections, Wednesday Nov. 4, 2026, in Washington. (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press)
Celebrating her victory Tuesday night at a casino hotel on Laguna Pueblo land just outside Albuquerque, Haaland reflected on her family's history in New Mexico.
"Just off this road, my grandmother was taken away to boarding school, and along with my grandfather, survived through a time where the federal government attempted to strip them of their languages, traditions, and identities," she said.
"Yet … we are still here."
She addressed the youth watching the historic results, including those growing up in rural communities and on reservations.
"I want every child watching to know that your dreams matter … and that New Mexico is a place where you can build the life you want, close to the communities that raised you.
"Here in New Mexico, we can do anything."
Flanagan 1st Native American woman elected to U.S. Senate
Flanagan previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives before becoming the state's lieutenant governor in 2019.
Throughout her Senate campaign, Flanagan emphasized tribal sovereignty, the federal government's treaty and trust responsibilities to tribal nations and the rising cost of living.
Her win will bring an Indigenous woman's perspective to the upper chamber of the U.S. Congress responsible for making federal laws, representing state interests, and confirming federal judges and senior government officials.
Democratic Senate candidate Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, speaks at an election night event on Tuesday in St. Paul, Minn. (Abbie Parr/Associated Press)
Speaking to Indigenous news outlets Wednesday morning, Flanagan said the significance of her victory was not lost on her.
"I absolutely understand the responsibility that I have as an Anishinaabekwe as a member of the United States senate, to ensure that we are working to make sure the federal government upholds treaty rights and trust responsibilities.
"For a long time, Native people made a difference in electoral outcomes and now we are running for office. We are front runners and we are winning and it's probably about time."
Wab Kinew, premier of Manitoba which borders Minnesota, congratulated Flanagan on social media Wednesday.
"Congratulations MN Senator-Elect Peggy Flanagan and all the Democrats for absolutely dominating Trump in the midterms!" said the statement.
"The American people have delivered a resounding rejection of the President’s actions over the past two years. Canadians are ready to rebuild the relationship and strengthen our economies."
Flanagan also signalled an interest in strengthening cross-border relationships and said she looks forward to working with Kinew to strengthen ties between Manitoba and Minnesota.
Alaska Senate race not yet decided
Haaland and Flanagan were among a record number of Indigenous candidates running in the 2026 midterms.
Data collected by Advanced Native Political Leadership (ANPL) and shared with CBC News, showed at least 359 Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian candidates were running for public office across 36 states in 2026, compared to 268 across 25 states in 2024.
Among them was Mary Peltola, who seeks to become another Indigenous woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola speaks at an election night event Tuesday in Anchorage, Alaska. (Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press)
Peltola, a Yup'ik politician and former Alaska congresswoman, is up against Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
Her race remains undecided as Alaska continues counting ballots under its ranked-choice voting system. Early reports show a close race between the two candidates, with results expected at the end of November, as domestic and overseas mail-in ballots arrive.
In 2022, Peltola became the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In Oklahoma, Chickasaw candidate N'kiyla Jasmine Thomas was unsuccessful in her senate bid against Republican Kevin Hern.
Sharice Davids, a member of Ho-Chunk Nation, won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas, continuing her service as one of two Native American women elected to Congress in 2018, the other being Haaland.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sis'moqon is a Mi'kmaw woman from Ugpi'ganjig First Nation. She is a reporter with CBC Indigenous. She currently resides in Kjipuktuk, also known as Halifax. You can email her at sis.moqon@cbc.ca with story ideas.
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