2 Native American women make history in midterm election
Summary
Deb Haaland won New Mexico’s governorship and Peggy Flanagan won a U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 midterm elections, becoming the first Native American women elected to those positions. Both Democrats campaigned on issues including affordability and social programs, while Native leaders described their victories as historic milestones for representation.Key Facts
- Deb Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo and former Interior secretary, defeated Republican Gregg Hull to become governor of New Mexico.
- Peggy Flanagan, an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation and Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya for a U.S. Senate seat.
- Haaland became the first Native American woman elected to lead a U.S. state.
- Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
- Haaland campaigned on the cost of living, protecting New Mexico’s Universal Child Care program, and changing the state’s child welfare system.
- Haaland said she would seek to pause construction of new large-scale data centers until the state Legislature passes guardrails.
- Flanagan supported Medicare for All and national paid family and medical leave.
- The National Congress of American Indians said the victories were historic and called for progress on protecting tribal lands and honoring treaty obligations.
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