Election 2026 Native Women
This photo provided by the Crystalyne Curley for Navajo Nation President campaign shows Crystalyne Curley, candidate for Navajo Nation President, campaigning at the Navajo Nation Fair Parade in Window Rock, Ariz., Sept. 12, 2026
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Native American women earned historic wins in Tuesday's elections. Crystalyne Curley made history as the first woman elected to the Navajo Nation presidency. Peggy Flanagan became the first Native woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, whose career is defined by “firsts,” broke ground as the first Native woman elected governor in her home state of New Mexico. Their victories mark a turning point for Native women, whose leadership in their families and communities hasn’t always translated to formal political power.
