2 Native American women make history in midterms

Two Native American women made history Tuesday night in the 2026 midterm elections, winning a Senate seat and a governorship — both firsts for Native women — as Democrats swept races across the country.In New Mexico, former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland was elected governor, making her the first Native American woman elected to lead a U.S. state. In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman senator.Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo, was already the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary. She defeated Republican Gregg Hull, former mayor of Rio Rancho, in the race for governor. Flanagan, an enrolled member of White Earth Nation, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster and conservative commentator.

Who are they?Haaland has notched many firsts. She became the first Native American woman to chair a state political party in 2015 when she was elected to lead the Democratic Party of New Mexico. In 2018, she became one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, alongside Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas, who was reelected Tuesday. Haaland later served as former President Joe Biden's Interior secretary from 2021 until January 2025.On the trail, she spoke about raising her daughter alone, selling homemade salsa and relying at times on food stamps. "My story is a lot like