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
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