More than 100 Indigenous candidates running for local seats in 2026 midterm election - ICT
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The November midterm election could lead to 17 states with Native candidates elected to local leadership positions

Nika Bartoo-Smith
ICT + Underscore Native News

As the country ramps up for midterm elections, voters will see 117 Indigenous candidates across 17 states on the November ballot running for local elections, from county seats to city councils and school boards, according to ICT and Advance Native Political Leadership’s database.

Indigenous candidates competing in local races this midterm election make up more than half of the 224 Indigenous candidates running in the general election across the nation.

Over the past few decades, Kevin Killer has noticed an uptick in Native candidates across all elections and parties. Killer is the former president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, a former state senator and former state representative in the South Dakota legislature.

“Traditionally it was usually just coming from one party, but now it’s on both sides, and that’s always good,” Killer said. “Native communities are diverse. They have diverse opinions. They have diverse thoughts. They are not a monolith.”

Killer said that seeing Native candidates on the top of a ballot like the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo and current Democratic nominee for governor of New Mexico, likely inspires more Native candidates at all levels and could even help their chances to win.

“It just shows to other Native candidates who weren’t used to seeing Native candidates at any level of ticket anywhere, even around them, to see something that successful to go through these kind of races and to not only run for a congressional seat and then to become Secretary [of the Interior] and then go back to your own state and then successfully be able to maneuver through a primary and become the the top candidate,” Killer said.

He also encouraged building relationships as tribes with local level politicians.

“I think local does matter and local is very important to pay attention to because sometimes these races impact more things than people realize and they have a lot of control,” Killer said.

For mail-in-ballot states, ballots are already out. Election day is Nov. 3.

Below are the 117 Indigenous candidates running in local races.

Alaska

There are 12 Native candidates on the ballot under county-level seats to be on local assemblies or city council seats.

Harry Bower Jr, Iñupiaq, and Josiah “Aullaqsruaq” Patkotak, Iñupiaq, are both running in the North Slope Borough mayoral race.

  • Chalmer Panik, Iñupiaq, running for North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-2
  • Cilia Attungowruk, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-5
  • Craig “Daaqsi” Moore, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-3B
  • Cyrus Harris, Iñupiaq, Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, District 4 Seat G
  • Derek Haviland-Lie, Iñupiaq, Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly, District 4 Seat B
  • Ernest Norton, Iñupiaq, Kotzebue City Council, Seat A
  • Eva Kinneveauk, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-3B
  • Harry Bower Jr, Iñupiaq, Mayor of North Slope Borough
  • Josephine Shanguin, Unangax, Aluetians East Borough Assembly, Seat F
  • Josiah “Aullaqsruaq” Patkotak, Iñupiaq, Mayor of North Slope Borough
  • Martin Qalgilan Edwardsen, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-3B
  • Michael Quuniq Donovan, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-3F
  • Robert Omnik, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-1
  • Stephanie Lozano, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough Assembly, District A-3B

There are 27 Native candidates running for school board positions in districts across Alaska.

  • Angel Alivrun Itta, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough School District Board of Education, Seat C
  • Angelica Agathluk, Yup’ik, Lower Yukon School District School Board, REAA 3, Section 1 Seat B
  • Ava Vent, Koyukon Athabascan, Yukon-Koyukuk District School Board, REAA 12, Section 1 Seat C
  • Carol Schaeffer, Iñupiaq, Yukon-Koyukuk District School Board, REAA 12, Section1 Seat C
  • Clarence Daniel, Yup’ik, Lower Kuskokwim District School Board, REAA 4, Section 4 Seat H
  • Doug Redfox, Yup’ik, Lower Yukon School District Board, REAA 3, Section 1 Seat B
  • Elizabeth Wassillie, Traditional Council of Togiak, Southwest Region District School Board, REAA 5, Section 1 Seat C
  • Ferdinand Sharp, Yup’ik, Southwest Region School District School Board, REAA 6, Section 1 Seat C
  • Fred Bifelt, Koyukon Athabascan, Yukon-Koyukuk District School Board, REAA 12, Section 1 Seat C
  • Frieda Moore, Native Village of Barrow, North Slope Borough School District Board of Education, District 3 Seat B
  • Frieda Southall, Iñupiaq, Bering Strait School District, REAA Region 2, Section 1 Seat B
  • Gatgyeda Haayk, Tsimshian, Annette Island School District School Board, REAA 20, Section 1 Seat A
  • George Smith, Scammon Bay Traditional Council, Lower Yukon School District School Board, REAA 3, Section 2 Seat F
  • Kristi Kookesh, Tlingit & Haida, Chatham District School Board, REAA 18, Section 1 Seat A
  • Madeline Tagarook Hickman, Iñupiaq, North Slope Borough School District Board of Education, Seat E
  • Margaret Hansen, Native Village of Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough School District Board, District 4 Seat J
  • Marie Greene, Iñupiaq, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Seat G
  • Mary “Marii” Swetzof, Native Village of Atka, Aleutian Region School District School Board, REAA 8, Section 1 Seat B
  • Maurice “Morris” McGinty, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Yukon-Koyukuk District School Board, REAA 12, Section 2 Seat F
  • Max Agayar, Native Village of Alakanuk, Lower Yukon School District School Board, REAA 3, Section 1 Seat B
  • Meghan “Sigvanna” Tapqaq, Iñupiaq, Nome Schools School Board
  • Raymond Waska Sr., Yup’ik, Lower Yukon School District School Board, REAA 3, Section 1 Seat B
  • Richard “Jack” Strong, Tlingit, Chatham District School Board, REAA 18, Section 1 Seat A
  • Richard Long, Organized Village of Kwethluk, Lower Kuskokwim District School Board, REAA 4, Section III Seat E
  • Sheila Minock, Iqugmuit Traditional Council, Lower Yukon School District School Board, REAA 3, Section 3 Seat I
  • Silas Paniptchuk, Iñupiaq, Bering Strait School District School Board, REAA 2, Section 3 Seat E
  • William “Wiyu” Parks, Siberian Yup’ik, Bering Strait School District School Board, REAA 2, Section 5 Seat 1

Arizona

In Arizona, Esteban Fuerte, Pascua Yaqui is running for Guadalupe Town Council and Michael Mazzocco, Delaware Nation, is running for Phoenix City Council.

  • Esteban Fuerte, Pascua Yaqui, Guadalupe Town Council
  • Michael Mazzocco, Delaware Nation, Phoenix City Council, District 4

There are 19 Native candidates running for local school board positions across Arizona.

  • Ben Standifer Jr., Tohono O’odam, Baboquivari Unified School District Governing Board
  • Bessie Allen, Navajo Nation, Piñon Unified School District Governing Board
  • Candy Lupe, White Mountain Apache, Whiteriver Unified School District Governing Board
  • Ceyshe Napa, Diné, Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board
  • Edith Denny, Navajo Nation, Piñon Unified School District Governing Board
  • Gloria Johns, Navajo Nation, Piñon Unified School District Governing Board
  • Jeanine Jensen, Diné, Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board
  • Jennifer Richards, Diné, Lakota and Taos Pueblo, Flagstaff Unified School District Governing Board
  • Joan Gray, Navajo Nation, Kayenta Unified School District Governing Board
  • Juan Buendia, Tohono O’odham, Baboquivari Unified School District Governing Board
  • Kathleen Vance, Tohono O’odam and San Carlos Apache, Baboquivari Unified School District Governing Board
  • Mable Wauneka-Goodwin, Tuba City Unified School District Governing Board
  • Paul Guy Jr., Diné, Chinle Unified School District Governing Board
  • Roselyn Yazzie, Diné, Chinle Unified School District Governing Board
  • Rosita Tsosie, Diné, Chinle Unified School District Governing Board
  • Royd Lee, Navajo Nation, Kayenta Unified School District Governing Board
  • Stephanie Calabaza, Diné, Window Rock Unified School District Governing Board
  • Wallace James Jr., Navajo Nation. Ganado Unified School District Governing Board
  • Yvonne Kee-Billison, Diné, Window Rock Unified School District Governing Board

California

In California, two Native candidates are running in mayoral races: Mary Ann Carbone, Chumash Venturina, for mayor of Sand City and Tasha Cerda, Tohono O’odam for mayor of Gardena.

There is one Native candidate running for a city council position, Mike LeBarre, Comanche, in King City. There are also three candidates for county board positions and Teola Tremayne, Western Shoshone, is running for Alpine County Clerk.

  • Mary Ann Carbone, Chumash Venturina, Mayor of Sand City
  • Mike Lebarre, Comanche, King City City Council, District 2
  • Tasha Cerda, Tohono O’odam, Mayor or Gardena
  • Buffey Bourassa, Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo of California, Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, District 3
  • Eddie Crandell, Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Lake County Board of Supervisors, District 3
  • Steven Orihuela, Bishop Paiute Tribe, Inyo County Board of Supervisors, District 3
  • Teola Tremayne, Western Shoshone, Alpine County Clerk

One Native candidate, Cody Hartt, Quechan, is running for a school board position in San Pasqual Valley.

  • Cody Hart, Quechan, San Pasqual Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees

Hawai’i

In Hawai’i, six Native Hawaiian candidates are running for county council positions and Native Hawaiian candidate, Tommy Waters, is running for Honolulu City Council.

  • Carol Lee Kamekona, Native Hawaiian, Maui County Council (Kahului)
  • Claire Kamalu Carroll, Native Hawaiian, Maui County Council (East Maui)
  • Holeka Goro Inaba, Native Hawaiian, Hawaii County Council (North Kona), District 8
  • Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Native Hawaiian, Maui County Council (Molokai)
  • Shane Sinenci, Native Hawaiian, Maui County Council (East Maui)
  • Zed Kaapana Aki, Kanaka Maoli, Hawaii County Council, District 6
  • Tommy Waters, Native Hawaiian, Honolulu City Council, District 4

Michigan

In Michigan, Nathaniel “Nat” Spurr, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, is running for Calhoun County Treasurer.

  • Nathaniel “Nat” Spurr, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Calhoun County Treasurer

Minnesota

In Minnesota, Sheila Lamb, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cherokee, is running for Mayor of Cloquet. Audrey Thayer, White Earth Nation, is running for Bemidji city council.

  • Audrey Thayer, White Earth Nation, Bemidji City County (At Large)
  • Sheila Lamb, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cherokee, Mayor of Cloquet

Montana

In Montana, three Native candidates are running for county positions including Rana Real Bird-Amyotte, Crow, who is running for Big Horn County Superintendent of Schools and Lester Bracey, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, who is running for Missoula County Auditor.

  • Lester Bracey, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Missoula County Auditor
  • Rana Real Bird-Amyotte, Crow, Big Horn County Superintendent of Schools
  • Tanya Schmockel, Chippewa Cree, Chouteau County Commission, District 1

Across the state, there are also three candidates running for school board positions.

  • Denise Juneau, MHA Nation, Blackfeet, Tlingit and Haida, Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees
  • Les Birdchief, Northern Cheyenne, Tongue River Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees, District 2
  • Tyran Watson Sr., Chippewa Cree, Rocky Boy Public Schools School Board

Nevada

In Nevada, Brian Wadsworth, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, is running for a seat on Washoe County Commission.

  • Brian Wadsworth, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Washoe County Commissioner, District 5

James “J.J.” Phoenix, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, is running for Washoe County School District Board.

  • James “J.J” Phoenix, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Washoe County School District Board of Trustees, District C

New Mexico

In New Mexico, six Native candidates are running for county leaderships positions including Edward Becenti Jr., Diné, who is running for McKinley County assessor and Jeremy Shirley, Diné, who is running for McKinley County sheriff.

  • Danielle Toacheene, Navajo, San Juan County Commissioner, District 1
  • Edward Becenti Jr., Diné, McKinley County Assessor
  • Ernest C. Becenti III, Diné, McKinley County Commissioner, District 1
  • Genevieve Jackson, Diné, McKinley County Commissioner, District 2
  • Jeremy Shirley, Diné, McKinley County Sheriff
  • Lonnie W. Todacheene, Navajo, San Juan County Commissioner, District 1

North Carolina

Two Native candidates in North Carolina are running for county leadership positions, Chenoa Davis, Haliwa Saponi, and Faline Locklear Dial, Lumbee.

  • Chenoa Davis, Haliwa Saponi, Halifax County Board of Commissioners (At Large)
  • Faline Locklear Dial, Lumbee, Robeson County Board of Commissioners, District 4

Three Native candidates are also running for school board positions in the state.

  • Elizabeth “Lizzie” Silver, Haliwa Saponi, Halifax County Board of Education
  • Olivia Oxendine, Lumbee, Moore County Board of Education (At Large)
  • Randy Oxendine, Lumbee, Vance County Board of Education, District 2

North Dakota

In North Dakota, three Native candidates are running in county elections, including Jerry “JR” Kerzmann, MHA Nation, who is running for McLean County Sheriff. There is also one candidate, Jesse Baker, MHA Nation, running for a city council position.

  • Ann Wadsworth, Spirit Lake Nation, Benson County Commission, District 5
  • Jerry “JR” Kerzmann, MHA Nation, McLean County Sheriff
  • Justin “Jake” Eagle, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Sioux County Commission, District 3
  • Jesse Baker, MHA Nation, New Town City Council

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, David Holt, Osage, is running for mayor of Oklahoma City. Diane McGee, Choctaw, is running for a city council seat in Atoka.

  • David Holt, Osage, Mayor of Oklahoma City
  • Diane McGee, Choctaw, Atoka City Council, Ward 1

South Dakota

In South Dakota two Native candidates are running for county commission positions, Lawrence Avery Thompson Jr., Lower Brule Sioux, and Michaela Madrid, Lower Brule Sioux.

  • Lawrence Avery Thompson Jr., Lower Brule Sioux, Lyman County Commission, District 1-2
  • Michaela Madrid, Lower Brule Sioux, Lawrence County Commission (At Large)

Two Native candidates are running for school board positions, Dawn Marie Johnson, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, and Walt Swan Jr., Cheyenne River Lakota.

  • Dawn Marie Johnson, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Sioux Falls School District Board of Education
  • Walt Swan Jr., Cheyenne River Lakota, Rapid City Area Schools School Board, Area 4 Minnehaha Precinct 0217

Tennessee

In Tennessee, Victoria “Tori” Smith, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, is running for Hamilton County general sessions court.

  • Victoria “Tori” Smith, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Hamilton County General Sessions Court

Utah

In Utah, four Native candidates are running for county leadership positions, including Daylene Redhorse, Diné, who is running for San Juan County clerk/auditor.

  • Daylene Redhorse, Diné, San Juan County Clerk/Auditor
  • Jamie Harvey, Diné, San Juan County Commission, District 3
  • Norman Lameman, Diné, San Juan County Commission, District 3
  • Terry Whitehat, Diné, San Juan County Commission, District 2

One Native candidate, Colleen Benally, Diné, is running for a school board position.

  • Colleen Benally, Diné, San Juan School District School Board, District 3

Washington

In Washington, two Native candidates are running for county level positions. Christopher “Chris” Roberts, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is running for King County assessor and Jennifer White, Makah, is running for Clallam County treasurer.

  • Christopher “Chris” Roberts, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, King County Assessor
  • Jennifer White, Makah, Clallam County Treasurer

Wyoming

In Wyoming, four Native candidates are running for school board positions.

  • Allison Sage Jr., Northern Arapaho, Fremont County School District #14 Board of Education
  • Clint Wagon, Eastern Shoshone, Fremont County School District #21 Board of Education
  • Jake Hill, Eastern Shoshone, Fremont County School District #21 Board of Education
  • Wayland Large, Eastern Shoshone, Fremont County School District #21 Board of Education

The post More than 100 Indigenous candidates running for local seats in 2026 midterm election appeared first on ICT.

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