2 Native American women make history in 2026 midterm elections

Key Points:

• Two Native American women made history in the 2026 midterm elections, with Deb Haaland elected as New Mexico governor and Peggy Flanagan winning a Minnesota Senate seat, both marking firsts for Native women in these roles.
• Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo citizen and former Interior Secretary, defeated Republican Gregg Hull to become the first Native American woman to lead a U.S. state, while Peggy Flanagan, from White Earth Nation, won her Senate race against Republican Michele Tafoya.
• Haaland’s platform focused on cost of living, child welfare reform, and pausing new large data center construction without legislative guardrails, while Flanagan campaigned as a progressive supporting Medicare for All and national paid family leave.
• Both women have backgrounds rooted in advocacy and public service, with Haaland previously chairing the New Mexico Democratic Party and Flanagan serving as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor and championing Medicaid and tribal relations.
• Their historic victories are celebrated by the National Congress of American Indians as milestones for Native representation, inspiring Native youth and emphasizing the importance of Native voices in government and policy-making.