In the upcoming midterms, 10 indigenous candidates advanced to the general election for federal office, half are women. Their campaigns come as Indigenous representation in Congress remains limited.
Indigenous representation in Congress has grown over time, but Indigenous people remain underrepresented relative to their share of the US population. There are currently five members in Congress who identify as American Indian and Alaska Native making 0.74% of the total congressional membership.
This November, several Indigenous women are running for seats in Congress, including three candidates for the US Senate. These include Mary Peltola in Alaska, Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota, and N’kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas in Oklahoma. No Indigenous woman has ever served in the US Senate, making these women the first, if elected.
In 2022, Mary Peltola, a member of the Yup’ik Nation, was sworn in as Alaska’s first Alaska Native and woman elected to the House. Peltola served in this position until 2025 when she lost her reelection. Peltola advanced from Alaska’s August primary with 48% of the vote and will face Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in the November general election.
In Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan is running for the open Senate seat after serving two terms as the state’s lieutenant governor. A citizen of the White Earth Nation, Flanagan won the democratic primary in August with 59% of the vote. She will face Republican Michele Tafoya in the general election.
In Oklahoma, N’kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a licensed practical nurse, won the Democratic nomination for Senate in an August 25 runoff despite never running for office before. Her campaign focuses on healthcare issues and supporting LGBTQ+ and women’s rights. Thomas will face Republican Kevin Hern in November.
Indigenous women are also running for seats in the House. After winning New York City’s primary by 56% of the votes, Claire Valdez is running for an open seat for New York’s 7th Congressional District as Nydia Velázquez, who currently represents the district, is retiring. Valdez is a member of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and, if elected, she would be the first Indigenous woman in the Congress from New York.
In Kansas, Rep. Sharice Davids is running to secure a fifth term and represent the state’s third congressional district. Davids, a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, was first elected in 2018 and became one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress when she took office in 2019. She won the Democratic primary in August and will face Republican Eric Jenkins in November.
The number of Indigenous women serving in Congress remains small compared with the size of the Native population. Indigenous people account for 1.1% of the population in 2020, but only one Native American woman currently serves in Congress.
Although the US has come a long way with political representation, women are still accomplishing firsts. Women account for 28% of members in the 119th Congress, while Native women account for 0.7%. The candidates running this November represent a range of states, tribal nations, political backgrounds, and policy priorities.
September 25 is observed as Native American Day in several states, including California and Nevada, while Montana and Texas observe American Indian Heritage Day on the same date. The day provides an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous culture and contributions, including the growing participation of Indigenous women in electoral politics.