Haaland and Flanagan Make History in 2026 Midterms

Two Native American women secured historic electoral victories in the November 3, 2026, US midterm elections, with Deb Haaland winning New Mexico's governorship and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan capturing a Senate seat. Their victories mark the first time Native American women have won either of these statewide offices, according to CBS News.

Haaland, a citizen of Laguna Pueblo, defeated Republican Gregg Hull, the former mayor of Rio Rancho. Flanagan, an enrolled member of White Earth Nation, defeated Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sports broadcaster and conservative commentator.

The victories add to a series of political milestones for both candidates. Haaland previously became the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary when she led the Department of the Interior under former President Joe Biden from 2021 until January 2025.

Her political career also includes becoming the first Native American woman to chair a state political party in 2015, when she took leadership of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. In 2018, she joined Sharice Davids of Kansas as one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Davids also won reelection on November 3.

During her gubernatorial campaign, Haaland emphasized the rising cost of living, protecting New Mexico's Universal Child Care program and reforming the state's child welfare system. She also criticized President Trump over federal safety-net program cuts.

Haaland pledged to issue an executive order on her first day in office to suspend construction of new large-scale data centers until the state Legislature establishes regulatory safeguards.

Her personal experiences also featured prominently in her campaign, including raising her daughter as a single mother, selling homemade salsa and relying on food stamps at times.

"My story is a lot like many New Mexicans — humble beginnings," Haaland told a congregation in Rio Rancho in October.

Flanagan brings a different political background to her Senate victory. She began as a community organizer before serving on the Minneapolis School Board and leading the Children's Defense Fund Minnesota.

She entered the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2015 and became lieutenant governor in 2019. During her tenure, she helped reshape the state's relationship with its 11 tribal nations.

Flanagan campaigned as a progressive, supporting Medicare for All and nationwide paid family and medical leave. Her political message also drew on her childhood experiences growing up with a single mother in Section 8 housing.

She has described Medicaid as essential to her survival, citing childhood asthma that repeatedly required hospital treatment.

At her election watch party in St. Paul, where White Earth leaders performed a victory song on a drum, Flanagan addressed supporters after her win.

"Minnesota, you just beat Donald Trump again," Flanagan told the crowd on election night.

The National Congress of American Indians described the victories as historic milestones for tribal communities. Native American women represent approximately 1% of the US population, according to US Census Bureau data, yet remain underrepresented in elected government.

Larry Wright Jr., executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, said the achievements reflected a longer history of leadership within Native communities.

"Long before Native women were welcomed into the halls of government, they were leading our Nations, protecting our families, and shaping the future of Indian Country," Wright said in a statement to CBS News.

He also highlighted the significance of the victories for younger generations.

"For young Native girls across Indian Country, these victories send an important message: their voices matter, their leadership is essential, and they belong wherever possibilities are reimagined," Wright said.

Wright said he hoped the increased representation would produce meaningful advances, particularly in protecting tribal lands and honoring treaty obligations between the US government and tribal nations.

Another Native American woman could join the historic election results. Democrat Mary Peltola, a Yup'ik woman, remains in a closely contested Alaska Senate race against Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.

According to CBS News estimates, the contest remains a toss-up, with the final outcome potentially dependent on ranked-choice tabulation later in November.