Native American women make history in New Mexico and Minnesota elections

In the 2026 midterm elections, Deb Haaland was elected governor of New Mexico and Peggy Flanagan won a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota, making them the first Native American women to hold these offices. Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen and former Interior Secretary, defeated Republican Gregg Hull. Flanagan, a White Earth Nation member and Minnesota's lieutenant governor, beat Republican Michele Tafoya, with both Democrats winning amid a national sweep for their party. The National Congress of American Indians called the wins historic milestones, noting Native women remain underrepresented in elected office. A third Native woman, Mary Peltola of Alaska, is in a tight Senate race that may be decided by ranked-choice voting later this month.