More than 100 Native candidates vying for statewide offices, state legislative seats - ICT
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92 Indigenous state legislature candidates running nationwide, 11 for statewide seats in November

Amelia Schafer
ICT

Deb Haaland, Clara Pratte, and Katie Fire Thunder represent three different generations of Native women, but all have one thing in common: they’re all running for a state-level position.

Haaland is running for governor in New Mexico, Pratte wants the Arizona Corporation Commission role to give Arizona families affordable services, and Fire Thunder brings along leadership that runs in the family to her Montana race. (Her grandmother, Cecelia Fire Thunder, was the first woman president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.)

All three represent 56 percent of Native women running for statewide office and state legislature in 25 states across the country, according to the ICT and Advance Native Political Leadership database*.*

Across the nation, Indigenous people are running for office at unprecedented levels.

The 2026 election year alone saw a record number of 363 Indigenous candidates, a 44 percent increase from 2024, according to the ICT and Advance Native Political Leadership database*.*

State legislative races

Of the 363 Indigenous candidates nationwide, 130 ran for state legislative positions. Of those 130, 92 will advance to the general election on Nov. 3, meaning more than 70 percent won their primaries.

The 92 state legislative candidates represent 122 different tribal nations.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “a total of 6,139 seats are up for regularly scheduled elections in 2026, representing 83 percent of the nation’s 7,386 legislative seats.” That doesn’t include special elections.

In 2024, New Mexico had the largest number of Indigenous candidates for state legislature, with 17 candidates followed by Oklahoma with 13 candidates. Montana held this position in 2026 with 13 candidates, followed by Alaska with 10 candidates.

Of all 50 states, Montana has been the state with the highest Native representation of state legislators which led to the creation of its American Indian caucus.

Native state legislature candidates will appear on ballots in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawai’i, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming.

This year has seen a 14 percent increase in the numbers of states where Indigenous legislature candidates appear on ballots – with the additions of four not previously seen states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine and Michigan. One Indigenous person ran for state legislature in 2024 in Kansas, however, Kansas saw no state legislative candidates in 2026.

Some state legislatures could see their first Indigenous elected officials.

In Iowa, no American Indian or Alaska Native person has ever held a position in the state’s house of representatives or senate, according to data from the Iowa Legislature.

Jessica Lopez-Walker is hoping to change that.

“I think it’s important for Native people to be in public office because we are the original people of this land,” said Lopez-Walker, a citizen of the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska.

Lopez-Walker, a Democrat, is running in the general election for Iowa House of Representatives District 2. Lopez-Walker faces Republican incumbent Robert Henderson.

Following the 1832 Indian Removal Act, Ho-Chunk or Winnebago people were forcibly removed from their homelands in Wisconsin and forced to walk through Iowa towards what is now the Crow Creek Reservation in central South Dakota. Crow Creek wouldn’t be the tribe’s final destination, they’d then be forced into present-day Nebraska just 19 miles south of Sioux City, Iowa.

Today, one federally recognized tribe exists within Iowa, the Meskwaki Nation, but the Winnebago tribe does possess trust land within the state.

“I have a different perspective, being a Native person,” Lopez-Walker said. “We take care of what is provided to us, and if we don’t, who’s gonna do that?

For many Indigenous people, serving in state legislatures means having a seat at the table on lands their ancestors were once barred from.

“[In doing so] you kind of take back the narrative,” Lopez-Walker said. “I’m all about having the truth of all history being told. A lot of people don’t even realize that there’s still Native Americans here, or why Sioux City has its name. There’s a lot of history that people don’t know and a lot are really interested in.”

As a result of the 1832 Indian Removal Act, many Choctaw people were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma from their homelands in Tennessee by the order of President Andrew Jackson. In 2026, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma citizen and state Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Tennessee, hopes to continue to represent his people in the Tennessee legislature.

“When I walk through those halls and I see the statues of Andrew Jackson, I realize the importance of me being in the General Assembly, and my voice that I can have for Native Americans is something that 22 centuries ago was not wanted, and now I’m there,” Terry told ICT in August after winning his primary election.

Terry has held the position since 2014 and will face Democratic nominee Matt Ferry in November.

LIST: State legislature candidates on the November ballot

  1. Saima “Ikrik” Chase, Alaska House of Representatives, District 40 (D) – Iñupiat
  2. Darren Deacon, Alaska State Senate, District S (R ) – Native Village of Kalskag
  3. Maxine Dibert, Alaska House of Representatives, District 31, (D) – Koyukon Athabascan
  4. Byrce Edgmon, Alaska State Senate, District S (I) – Yup’ik
  5. Neal “Quannaq” Foster, Alaska House of Representatives, District 39 (D) – Iñupiat
  6. Robyn “Niayup” Frier, Alaska House of Representatives, District 40 (D) — Iñupiat
  7. Tyler Ivanoff, Alaska House of Representatives, District 39 (Nonpartisan) – Iñupiat
  8. Nellie “Unangiq” Jimmie, Alaska House of Representatives, District 38 (D) – Yup’ik, Ojibwa and Lakota
  9. Brenda Wilson, Alaska House of Representatives, District 27 ® – Agdaagux Tribe of King Cove
  10. Cade Woods, Alaska House of Representatives, District 37 (I) – Curyung Tribal Council
  11. Jacob Allen, Arkansas House of Representatives, District 10 (D) – Chickasaw Nation
  12. Brian Garcia, Arizona House of Representatives, District 8 (D) – Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  13. Sally Ann Gonzalez, Arizona House of Representatives, District 20 (D) – Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  14. Mike Montiel, Arizona State Senate, District 7 (D) – Pascua Yaqui Tribe
  15. Mae Peshlakai, Arizona State Senate, District 6 (D) – Diné
  16. Jamescita Peshlakai, Arizona State Senate, District 6 (D) – Diné
  17. Ian Teller, Arizona House of Representatives, District 6 (D) – Navajo Nation
  18. James Ramos, California State Assembly, District 45 (D) – Serrano & Cahuilla
  19. Gabriel Cervantes, Colorado House of Representatives, District 31 (D) – Descendent of the Coahuiltecan
  20. Consuelo Redhorse, Colorado House of Representatives, District 13 (D) – Navajo
  21. Larry Pemberton Jr., Connecticut House of Representatives, District 139 (D) – Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation
  22. Micah Po’okela Kim Aiu, Hawaii House of Representatives, District 32 (D) – Native Hawaiian
  23. Kirstin Kahaloa, Hawaii  House of Representatives, District 6 (D) – Native Hawaiian
  24. Kalehua Kaopua, Hawaii  House of Representatives, District 45 (D) – Kanaka ʻŌiwi
  25. Jeanné Kapela, Hawaii House of Representatives, District 5 (D) – Native Hawaiian
  26. Pa’ele Kiakona, Hawaii House of Representatives, District 14 (Green) – Native Hawaiian
  27. Darius Kila, Hawaii House of Representatives, District 44 (D) – Native Hawaiian
  28. Mahina Poepoe, Hawaii House of Representatives, District 13 (D) – Native Hawaiian
  29. Jessica Lopez-Walker, Iowa House of Representatives, District 2 (D) – Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
  30. Trish Carter-Goodheart, Idaho House of Representatives, District 6A (D) – Nez Perce Tribe
  31. April Fournier, Maine House of Representatives, District 114, (D) – Diné
  32. Melissa Perron, Michigan House of Representatives, District 107 (D) – Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
  33. Shelley Buck, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 47A (D) – Prairie Island Indian Community
  34. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski,  Minnesota House of Representatives, District 8B (D) – Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Mexicana
  35. Steve Green,  Minnesota State Senate, District 2 ® – White Earth Nation
  36. Mary Kunesh,  Minnesota State Senate, District 39 (D) – Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Descendant)
  37. Dalton Bradford, Montana House of Representatives, District 13 (D) – Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
  38. Thedis Crowe, Montana House of Representatives, District 15 (D) – Blackfeet Nation
  39. Erin Farris-Olsen, Montana State Senate, District 41 (D) – Brothertown Indian Nation
  40. Katie Fire Thunder, Montana House of Representatives, District 59 (D) – Oglala Lakota
  41. Sidney “Chip” Fitzpatrick,MontanaHouse of Representatives, District 42 (D) – Crow
  42. Mike Fox, MontanaHouse of Representatives, District 32 (D) – Gros Ventre
  43. Shelly Fyant, Montana House of Representatives, District 91 (D) – Bitterroot Salish of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
  44. Donavon Hawk, Montana House of Representatives, District 72 (D) – Crow and Crow Creek Sioux
  45. Shane Morigeau, Montana State Senate, District 50 (D) – Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
  46. Lona Running Wolf, Montana House of Representatives, District 16 (D) – Blackfeet Nation
  47. Tyson Running Wolf, MontanaState Senate, District 8 (D) – Blackfeet Nation
  48. Jade Sooktis, Montana House of Representatives, District 41 (D) – Northern Cheyenne
  49. Natalie Weeks-O’Neal, MontanaHouse of Representatives, District 31 (D) – Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribe
  50. Collette Brown, North Dakota House of Representatives, District 9 (D) – Spirit Lake Nation
  51. Jayme Davis, North Dakota House of Representatives, District 9 (D) – Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Standing Rock Nation
  52. Duane Poitra, North Dakota House of Representatives, District 9 (D) – Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
  53. Michelle Paulene Abeyta, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 69 (D) – Diné
  54. Heather Ellison, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 4 ® – Navajo Nation
  55. Martha Garcia, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 6 (D) – Diné
  56. Joseph Hernandez,New Mexico House of Representatives, District 4 (D) – Navajo
  57. Doreen Wonda Johnson,New Mexico House of Representatives, District 5 (D) – Diné
  58. Derrick Lente, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 65 (D) – Sandia Pueblo and Isleta Pueblo
  59. Charlotte Little, New MexicoHouse of Representatives, District 68 (D) – San Felipe Pueblo
  60. Patricia Roybal Caballero, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 13 (D) – Piro/Manso/Tiwa Indian tribe and Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe
  61. Shea Backus, Nevada State Assembly, District 37 (D) – Cherokee
  62. Calvin Sandoval, Nevada State Senate, District 20 (D) – Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Fort Peck Tribes
  63. Chelsey Branham, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 85 (D) – Chickasaw Nation
  64. Hurchel “Trey” Caldwell, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 63 ® – Choctaw
  65. Amanda Clinton, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 71 (D) – Cherokee
  66. Kristina Gabriel, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 77 (D) – Cherokee Nation
  67. David Hardin, OklahomaHouse of Representatives, District 86 ® – Cherokee
  68. Ronald “Ron” Stewart, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 73 (D) – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Muscogee Nation (descendent)
  69. Christopher Wier, Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 4 (D) – Cherokee Nation
  70. Emily McIntire, Oregon House of Representatives, District 56 ® – Muscogee Nation
  71. Tawna Sanchez, Oregon House of Representatives, District 43 (D) – Shoshone-Bannock, Ute and Carrizo
  72. Fawn Pedalino, South Carolina House of Representatives, District 64 ® – Natchez-Kusso Tribe
  73. Eric Emery, South Dakota House of Representatives, Disctrict 26A (D) – Rosebud Sioux Tribe
  74. Jana Hunt, South Dakota House of Representatives, District 28A ® – Cheyenne River Lakota
  75. Shawn Bordeaux, South Dakota State Senate, District 26 (D) – Rosebud Sioux Tribe
  76. Bryan Terry, Tenneseee House of Representatives, District 48 ® – Choctaw
  77. Lewis GrassRope, South Dakota House of Representatives, District 26B (D) – Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
  78. Samuel Hare Sr., South Dakota House of Representatives, District 32 (Independent/NPP) – Yankton Sioux Tribe
  79. Elizabeth Lone Eagle, South Dakota House of Representatives, District 27 (Independent/NPP) – Cheyenne River Lakota
  80. Evangeline Poor Bear, South Dakota House of Representatives, District 27 (Independent/NPP) – Oglala Lakota
  81. Celestine Stadnick, South DakotaState Senate, District 27 (D) – Oglala Lakota
  82. Angela Romero, Utah House of Representatives, District 25 (D) – Shoshone-Bannock
  83. Tracie Yellowman Tso, Utah House of Representatives, District 69 (D) – Diné
  84. Alanna Ojibway, Vermont House of Representatives, Windsor 6 (D) – Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and United Houma Nation
  85. Chelsea Dimas, Washington House of Representatives, District 14-Position 1 (D) – Nahua and Purapecha
  86. Kim Harless, Washington House of Representatives, District 49-Position 1 (D) – Ópata
  87. Renee Hernandez Greenfield, Washington House of Representatives, District 26-Position 2 (D) – Cochiti Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo and Taos Pueblo
  88. Debra Lekanoff, Washington House of Representatives, District 40-Position 1 (D) – Tlingit Tribe
  89. Maria Littlesun, Washington House of Representatives, District 35-Position 2 (D) – Skokomish
  90. Chris Stearns, Washington House of Representatives, District 47-Position 2 (D) – Navajo
  91. Claudia Kauffman, Washington State Senate, District 47 (D) – Nez Perce Tribe
  92. Ivan Posey, Wyoming House of Representatives, District 33 (D) – Eastern Shoshone tribe, Northern Cheyenne and Northern Arapaho

Statewide races

In other state-level elections, there are 11 candidates running for statewide offices, including Haaland, Pueblo of Laguna, in New Mexico.

If elected, Haaland would become the nation’s first ever Native American woman governor and New Mexico’s first Native American governor, home to 23 tribal nations.

Indigenous candidates in statewide races across the country include:

  • Clara Pratte, Arizona Corporation Commission (D) – Navajo Nation
  • Kalei Akaka, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Oahu Resident – Native Hawaiian
  • Kanekoa Crabbe, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, At-Large – Native Hawaiian
  • Ke’eaumoku Kapu, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Maui Resident – Native Hawaiian
  • Keoni Souza, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, At-Large – Native Hawaiian
  • John Waihee IV, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, At-Large  – Native Hawaiian
  • Angeline Cheek, Montana Public Service Commission, District 1 (D) – Hunkpapa Lakota and Oglala Lakota
  • Sharon Clahchischilliage, New Mexico Public Education Commission, District 5 ® – Diné
  • Brad Boles, Oklahoma Corporation Commission ® – Cherokee
  • John Pfeiffer, Commissioner of Labor ® – Cherokee
  • Deb Haaland, New Mexico Governor (D) – Pueblo of Laguna

map visualization

map visualization

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