Native American women make history in U.S. midterm elections
Deb Haaland elected New Mexico governor, Peggy Flanagan elected to U.S. Senate
Native American women saw landmark victories for Indigenous representation in the United States midterm elections Tuesday.
asserted
women → make → elections
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.
asserted
who → elect → Senate
Their victories come amid a sweeping Democratic win that saw the party take control of both chambers of Congress.
asserted
party → come → Congress
Haaland is no stranger to making political history.
asserted
Haaland → make → history
In 2018, she became one of the first two Native American women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
asserted
she → become → 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.
asserted
she → become → 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.
asserted
Haaland → focus → resources
The U.S. Capitol is seen a day after the midterm elections, Wednesday Nov. 4, 2026, in Washington.
asserted
Capitol → see → Washington
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.
asserted
Haaland → celebrate → 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
asserted
government → take → languages
," she said.
asserted
she → say → ?
She addressed the youth watching the historic results, including those growing up in rural communities and on reservations.
asserted
She → address → 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.
asserted
that → want → you
"Here in New Mexico, we can do anything."
asserted
we → 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.
asserted
Flanagan → elect → 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.
asserted
Flanagan → emphasize → 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.
asserted
win → bring → judges
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.
asserted
significance → speak → 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.
asserted
upholds → understand → rights
"For a long time, Native people made a difference in electoral outcomes and now we are running for office.
asserted
we → make → office
We are front runners and we are winning and it's probably about time."
asserted
it → win → time
Wab Kinew, premier of Manitoba which borders Minnesota, congratulated Flanagan on social media Wednesday.
asserted
which → border → media
"Congratulations MN Senator-Elect Peggy Flanagan and all the Democrats for absolutely dominating Trump in the midterms!" said the statement.
asserted
statement → dominate → midterms
"The American people have delivered a resounding rejection of the President’s actions over the past two years.
asserted
people → deliver → years
Canadians are ready to rebuild the relationship and strengthen our economies."
asserted
Canadians → rebuild → 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.
asserted
candidates → signal → 2024
Among them was Mary Peltola, who seeks to become another Indigenous woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
asserted
who → seek → Senate
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola speaks at an election night event Tuesday in Anchorage, Alaska.
asserted
Peltola → speak → Anchorage
Her race remains undecided as Alaska continues counting ballots under its ranked-choice voting system.
asserted
Alaska → remain → 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.
asserted
ballots → show → November
In 2022, Peltola became the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
asserted
Peltola → become → Representatives
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.
asserted
other → win → 2018
The Aporia
