List of Native American politicians

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of Native American politicians in the United States. These are Native Americans who served in the federal, state, or municipal governments.

Native American identity is a complex and contested issue. The Bureau of Indian Affairs defines Native American as having American Indian or Alaska Native ancestry. Legally, being Native American is defined as being enrolled in a federally recognized tribe or Alaskan village. These entities establish their own membership rules, and they vary. Each must be understood independently. Ethnologically, factors such as culture, history, language, religion, and familial kinships can influence Native American identity.[1]

All individuals on this list should have Native American ancestry. Historical figures might predate tribal enrollment practices and may be included based on reliable sources that document ethnological tribal membership. Any contemporary individuals should either be enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, or have cited Native American ancestry and be recognized as Native American by their respective tribes(s). Contemporary individuals who are not enrolled in a tribe but are documented as having tribal descent are listed as being "of descent" from a tribe.

For tribal leaders, please go to that tribe's article.

Federal offices[]

Executive branch[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
David W. Anderson Choctaw/Ojibwe Republican 9th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2004–2005
Carl J. Artman Carl J. Artman.jpg 1965– Oneida Republican 10th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2007–2008
Charles Curtis Charles Curtis-portrait.jpg 1860–1936 Kaw/Osage/Potawatomi Republican U.S. Vice President, 1929–1933
Ada Deer Ada Deer.jpg 1935– Menominee Democratic 6th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1993–1997
Kevin Gover Kevin Gover (15520875743) (cropped).jpg 1955– Pawnee Nation Democratic 7th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1997–2001
Deb Haaland Secretary Deb Haaland, official headshot.jpg 1960– Laguna Pueblo Democratic 54th United States Secretary of the Interior, 2021–present
Larry Echo Hawk LarryEchoHawkDOI.JPG 1948– Pawnee Nation Democratic 11th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2009–2012
Keith Harper Ambassador Keith Harper in Geneva 2014.jpg 1965– Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, 2014–2017
Philip N. Hogen Oglala Lakota Sioux Republican United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, 1981–1991
Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission, 2002–2009
Jeannie Hovland Jeannie Hovland official photo (cropped).jpg Santee Dakota Sioux Republican Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs,
Associate Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission
Jack Jackson, Jr. Jack Jackson Jr (cropped).jpg Navajo Nation Democratic Liaison to Secretary John Kerry, US Department of State[2]
Neal McCaleb Neal McCaleb.jpg 1935 Chickasaw Nation Republican 8th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2001–2003
Arvo Mikkanen 1961– Kiowa Nation Democratic US Assistant Attorney for United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma since 1994.[3] Later unsuccessful US District Judge nomination[4]
Bryan Newland Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.jpg Bay Mills Chippewa Democratic 14th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2021–present
Ely Parker Ely S. Parker.jpg 1828–1895 Tonawanda Seneca Independent Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Grant administration
Ben Reifel Portrait of Ben Reifel.jpg 1906–1990 Lakota Rosebud Sioux Republican Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, Interim Commissioner of Indian Affairs
R. Trent Shores R. Trent Shores official photo.jpg Choctaw Nation Republican United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, 2017–2021.
Tara Sweeney Tara Sweeney official photo (cropped).jpg Arctic Slope Iñupiat Republican 13th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2018–2021
Ross Swimmer Ross O Swimmer (cropped).JPG 1943– Cherokee Nation Republican 4th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1985–1989
Special Trustee for American Indians at the U.S. Department of the Interior
Kimberly Teehee Kimberly Teehee, 2012-04-27 (cropped).jpg 1966– Cherokee Nation Democratic White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, 2009–2012
Wilma Victor 1919–1987 Choctaw Nation Republican Special assistant to Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton, 1971–1975
Kevin K. Washburn Kevin Washburn 2010.jpg 1967– Chickasaw Nation Democratic 12th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2012–2016

Legislative branch[]

Main article: List of Native Americans in the United States Congress
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Ben Nighthorse Campbell BenNCampbell.jpg 1933– Northern Cheyenne Democratic U.S. Representative from Colorado (1987–1993), U.S. Senator from Colorado (1993–2005)
Republican
Brad Carson BradCarson OfficialPortrait.jpg 1967– Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, 2001–2005
Charles David Carter Charles D. Carter.jpeg 1868–1929 Chickasaw Nation Democratic U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, 1907–27 (4th District 1907–15, 3rd District 1915–27)
Tom Cole Rep-Tom-Cole-117thCong.jpeg 1949– Chickasaw Nation Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, 2003–present (4th District)
Charles Curtis Charles Curtis-portrait.jpg 1860–1936 Kaw/Osage/Potawatomi Republican U.S. Representative from Kansas, 1893–1907 (4th District 1893–99, 1st District 1899–1907),
US Senator from Kansas 1907–13, 1915–29, first Native American elected to the Senate.
Sharice Davids Sharice Davids (cropped).jpg 1980– Ho–Chunk Democratic U.S. Representative from Kansas 3rd District, 2019–Present
Deb Haaland Deb Haaland official portrait, 116th congress 2 (1).jpg 1960– Laguna Pueblo Democratic U.S. Representative from New Mexico 1st District, 2019–2021
William Wirt Hastings WilliamWHastings.jpg 1866–1938 Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. Representative from Oklahoma 2nd District, 1915–21, 1923–35
Yvette Herrell Yvette Herrell official photo, 117th Congress.jpg 1964– Cherokee Nation Republican U.S. Representative from New Mexico, 2021–present (2nd District)
Markwayne Mullin Markwayne Mullin official photo (cropped).jpg 1977– Cherokee Nation Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma, 2013–present (2nd District)
Robert Latham Owen Robert Latham Owen.jpg 1856–1947 Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, 1907–25; candidate for Democratic Party nomination for president, 1920
Benjamin Reifel Ben Reifel.jpg 1906–1990 Lakota Rosebud Sioux Republican U.S. Representative from South Dakota 1st District, 1961–71.
Hiram Revels Senator H. R. Revels (Boston Public Library).jpg 1827–1901 Lumbee Republican U.S. Senator from Mississippi, 1870–71; first Native American to serve in the Senate.
Will Rogers, Jr. Will Rogers, Jr.JPG 1911–1993 Cherokee Nation Democratic US Representative from California, 1943–44
William Grady Stigler STIGLER, William Grady.jpg 1891–1952 Choctaw Nation Democratic member of Oklahoma state senate, 1924–32; U.S. Representative from Oklahoma 2nd District, 1944–52.
Kimberly Teehee Kimberly Teehee, 2012-04-27 (cropped).jpg 1966– Cherokee Nation Democratic Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Cherokee Nation, 2019 – present (appointed by chief, yet to be seated)

State offices[]

Alaska[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
1942–2012 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1981–1989, state senator 1989–2001
1947– [?] Republican State representative 1977–1979
1929– Aleut Republican State representative 1981–1983
Nels A. Anderson, Jr.jpg 1939– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1975–1981, state senator 1982–1983
Bill Beltz 1912–1960 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1949–1951, territorial senator 1951–1959, state senator and president of the state senate 1959–1960
1922–1998 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1961–1967, state senator 1967–1973
1948– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1981–1983
John E. Curtis [?] Inupiaq Republican State representative 1959–1961
Larry T. Davis.jpg 1930–2006 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1975–1977
Chuck Degnan.jpg 1941– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1971–1975
1901–1980 [?] Democratic Territorial representative 1951–1953
Bryce Edgmon 2013 edgmon portrait (cropped).jpg 1961– Yup'ik Democratic State representative 2007–present, speaker of the state house 2017–2021
Independent
1905–1962 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1953–1957, state representative 1959–1961
Frank R. Ferguson.jpg 1939–2003 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1971–1975, state senator 1975–1986
Independent
Neal Foster Alaska State Legislature's Representative Neal Foster.jpg 1972– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 2009–present
Richard Foster 1946–2009 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1989–2009
c. 1910–1996 [?] Democratic State representative 1959–1961
Phillip Guy 1977.jpg 1941–2011 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1973–1981
Willie Hensley Willie Hensley 1973.jpg 1941– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1967–1971, state senator 1971–1975 and 1987–1989
1953– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1983–1989
c. 1928–[?] Yup’ik Republican State representative 1959–1961
Lyman Hoffman Lyman Hoffman (cropped).jpg 1950– Yup’ik Democratic
(Caucuses with Republicans)		 State representative 1987–1991 and 1993–1995, state senator 1991–1993 and 1995–present
1896–1968 Tlingit Democratic Territorial representative 1945–1953 and 1957–1959, state representative 1959–1963
Eben Hopson Eben Hopson.jpg 1922–1980 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1957–1959, state senator 1959–1967
1916–1987 Koyukon Independent State representative 1975–1977
1906–1990 Inupiaq Republican Territorial representative 1949–1951, territorial senator 1951–1955
Brenda Itta Brenda Itta.jpg 1943– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1975–1977
1945– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1991–1993 and 1995–1999
1959– Aleut Democratic State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–1995
Dena'ina
Yup’ik
1920–1961 [?] Republican State representative 1961
1911–1985 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1959–1961 and 1963–1967
1894–1982 Tlingit Republican Territorial representative 1947–1955 and 1957–1959
c. 1904–[?] Inupiaq Republican Territorial representative 1949–1951
1924–2004 Inupiaq Republican State representative 1962–1963
Reggie Joule 1952– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1997–2012
Sam Kito III 1964– Tlingit Democratic State representative 2014–2019
Albert Kookesh 1948–2012 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1997–2005, state senator 2005–2013
Jacob Laktonen Jacob Laktonen.jpg 1917–1996 [?] Republican State representative 1973–1975
Loren Leman LorenLeman.jpg 1950– Alutiiq Republican State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–2002, lieutenant governor 2002–2006
Georgianna Lincoln Georgianna Harwood (Lincoln).jpg 1943– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1991–1993, state senator 1993–2005
c. 1945– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1996–1997
Jerry Mackie 1962– Haida Democratic State representative 1991–1997, state senator 1997–2001
Republican
Eileen MacLean 1949–1996 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1989–1995
Byron Mallott Byron Mallott.jpg 1943–2020 Tlingit Democratic Commissioner of community and regional affairs 1972–1974, lieutenant governor 2014–2018
Independent
Beverly Masek 1963– Deg Hit'an Republican State representative 1995–2005
Charisse Millett 1964– Inupiaq Republican State representative 2009–2019
Martin Moore 1937-2022 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1971–1973
1950– Yup’ik Republican State representative 1999–2005
Carl E. Moses 1929–2014 Aleut Alaskan Independence State representative 1965–1973 and 1993–2007
Democratic
Republican
Benjamin Nageak 1950– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 2013–2017
Alfred Nakak Alfred Nakak.jpg 1947–2000 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1977–1979
Ed Naughton.jpg 1930–2002 [?] Democratic State representative 1971–1977
1956– Koyukon Democratic State representative 1993–1999
John Nusunginya 1927–1981 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1959–1963
Donny Olson 1953– Inupiaq Democratic State senator 2001–present
Alvin Osterback Alvin Osterback.jpg 1915–2005 [?] Democratic State representative 1975–1981
Justin Parish 1980– Tinglit Democratic State representative 2017–2019
Josiah Patkotak c. 1994– Inupiaq[5] Independent State representative (2020–present)
Moses Paukan 1933–2017 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1968–1971
William Paul 1885–1977 Tlingit Republican Territorial representative 1925–1929
Frank Peratrovich 1895–1984 Tlingit Democratic Territorial representative 1945–1947, territorial senator 1947–1951 and 1957–1959, delegate and first vice president of constitutional convention 1955–1956, state senator 1959–1967, president of the state senate 1961–1965, state representative 1969–1973
Larry Peterson.jpg 1939– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1973–1975
John Sackett John Sackett.jpg 1944–2021 Koyukon Republican State representative 1967–1971, state senator 1973–1987
Woodie Salmon 1952– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 2005–2011
Mary Sattler 1973– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1999–2009
Leo Schaeffer.jpg 1947– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1977–1981
1915–1998 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1965–1969
Martin Seversen.jpg 1925–1979 [?] [?] State representative 1977
1917–c. 2008 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1961–1967
Bill Thomas 1947– Tlingit Republican State representative 2005–2013
1948– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1981–1985
1944– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1985–1991
Tim Wallis.jpg 1940– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1975–1977
Jerry Ward 1948– [?] Republican State representative 1983–1985, state senator 1997–2003
1906–1979 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1951–1953
John Westdahl 1918–1968 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1967–1968
Dean Westlake 1960– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 2017
1904–1989 Tlingit Republican State representative 1961–1963
Bill K. Williams 1943–2019 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1993–2005
Republican
Jules W. Wright Jules W. Wright.jpg 1933–2022 Gwich'in Republican State representative 1967–1969
Fred Zharoff 1944–2001 Alutiiq Democratic State representative 1979–1985, state senator 1985–1997
Tiffany Zulkosky 1984– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 2018–present

Arizona[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Carlyle Begay Carlyle Begay by Gage Skidmore.jpg [?] Navajo Democratic State senator 2013–2017
Republican
Jennifer D. Benally [?] Navajo[6] Democratic State representative 2015–2017
Wenona Benally Wenona Benally Baldenegro.jpg Navajo Democratic State representative 2017-2019
Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren Navajo Democratic State representative 2020–present[7]
Domingo DeGrazia DeGraziaTownHall.jpg Cherokee Democratic State representative 2019–present[7]
Eric Descheenie Eric Descheenie by Gage Skidmore.jpg Navajo Democratic State representative 2017–2019
Chris Deschene Chris Deschene Photo.jpg Navajo Democratic State representative 2009–2011
Sally Ann Gonzales 1957– Pascua Yaqui Democratic State representative 1997–2001 and 2011–2019
Tom Gordon Hualapai Republican State representative 1999–2001
Albert Hale Navajo Nation President Hale Albert.jpg 1950–2021 Navajo Democratic State senator 2004–2011; State representative 2011–2021
Jack Jackson, Jr. Jack Jackson Jr (cropped).jpg Navajo Democratic State Senator for AZ District 2, 2011–2013, State representative 2003–2005
Jennifer Jermaine Jennifer Jermaine by Gage Skidmore.jpg White Earth Ojibwe Democratic State representative for the 18th district (2019–present)[7]
Myron Lizer Myron Lizer at Keep America Great rally (cropped).jpg Navajo / Comanche Republican 10th Vice President of the Navajo Nation
Peter MacDonald Peter MacDonald, Sr. Navajo Nation 2021.jpg 1928– Navajo Republican 7th Chairman of the Navajo Nation (1970–1989)
Jonathan Nez Jonathan Nez.jpg 1975– Navajo Democratic 9th President of the Navajo Nation
Sylvia Laughter [?] Navajo Democratic State representative 1999–2005
Independent
Victoria Steele [?] Seneca Democratic State representative 2013–2016, State senator 2019–present
Arlando Teller Arlando Teller by Gage Skidmore.jpg Navajo Democratic State representative 2019–2021[7]
Myron Tsosie Navajo Democratic State representative 2019–present[7]
Jamescita Peshlakai Jamescita Peshlakai Portrait 2014-02-03.jpg Navajo Democratic State representative, District 7 (2013-2015) State senator (2017-present)[8]
Peterson Zah Tribal Energy Summit (5693942150).jpg c. 1937– Navajo Democratic Special Adviser to ASU President on American Indian Affairs

California[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Todd Gloria AssemblymemberToddGloria.jpg 1978– Tlingit–Haida Democratic San Diego City Council (2008–2016), State assemblyman (2017–2020), San Diego Mayor (2020–)
James C. Ramos James Ramos CA Assembly official photo.jpg 1967– Serrano / Cahuilla Democratic San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees (2005–12), San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (2012–2018), California State Assemblymember (2018–present)
Will Rogers Will Rogers 1922.jpg 1879–1935 Cherokee Nation Democratic Mayor of Beverly Hills, 1928

Colorado[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Ben Nighthorse Campbell Ben Campbell.jpg 1933– Northern Cheyenne Democratic Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 59th district (1983–1987)
Republican

Idaho[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Jeanne Givens 1951/52– Coeur d'Alene Democratic State representative (1985–1989)
Larry Echo Hawk LarryEchoHawkDOI.JPG 1948 Pawnee Nation Democratic Attorney General of Idaho (1991–1995)
Paulette Jordan PauletteJordanIF7a (cropped).jpg c. 1980– Coeur d'Alene Democratic State representative (2014–2018)
Democratic nominee for Governor in 2018
Democratic nominee for Senate in 2020

Illinois[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Donne E. Trotter Donne Trotter.png 1950– Choctaw[9] Democratic State senator (1993–2018); State representative (1988–1993)

Kansas[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Ponka–We Victors 1981– Ponca–Tohono O'odham Democratic State representative, District 103 (2011–)[10]
Stephanie Byers Stephanie Byers.png 1963- Chickasaw Democratic State representative, District 86 (2021-)[11]
Christina Haswood Haswood cropped.png 1994- Navajo Democratic State representative, District 10 (2021-)[12]

Kentucky[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Reginald Meeks 1954– Cherokee Nation[13] Democratic State representative (2000–2021)

Maine[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non–voting)
Wayne Mitchell 1952–2019 Penobscot Independent State representative (non–voting)
Rena Newell Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non-voting)
Madonna Soctomah Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non-voting)
Henry John Bear Maliseet Green State representative (non–voting)

Michigan[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Cora Reynolds Anderson Cora Reynolds Anderson.png 1882-1950 Chippewa Republican State representative (1924-1925)

Minnesota[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Susan Allen Susan Allen.jpg 1963– Rosebud Lakota Democratic State representative (2012–2019)
Jamie Becker–Finn Leech Lake Ojibwe Democratic State representative (2017–)
Peggy Flanagan Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan at the 'Amy For America' booth at the Minnesota State Fair.jpg 1979– White Earth Band of Ojibwe Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present)
State representative (2015–2019)
Harold "Skip" Finn Harold "Skip" Finn.png 1948-2018 Leech Lake Ojibwe Democratic State senator (1991-1996)
Steve Green SteveGreen2018.png 1960– White Earth Band of Ojibwe Republican State representative (2013–)
Mary Kelly Kunesh–Podein Mary Kunesh-Podein at ERA Rally.jpg 1960– Standing Rock Lakota Democratic State representative (2017–2021)
State senator (2021–)

Mississippi[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Greenwood LeFlore Greewood-Leflore.jpg 1800–1865 Mississippi Choctaw Whig State representative, State senator (1841–1844)
Phillip Martin Phillip martin.jpg 1926–2010 Mississippi Choctaw Republican Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (1979–2007)

Montana[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Jade Bahr 1988– Northern Cheyenne[14] Democratic Representative for Montana house district 50 (2019-2021)
Barbara Bessette[15] Chippewa Cree[14] Democratic Representative for Montana house district 24 (2018–present)
Denise Juneau Denise Juneau, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction 5.3.2010.jpg 1967– Mandan and Hidatsaa Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction (2009–2017)
Carolyn Pease–Lopez Crow Democratic State representative (2008–2016)
George Kipp III Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (2015–2019)
G. Bruce Meyers 1948– Chippewa–Cree Republican State representative (2015–2017)
Shane Morigeau Morigeau blue3 (50081178788) (cropped).jpg 1984– Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation Democratic State representative (2017–2021)
State senator (2021–)
Crow Republican Chairman of the Crow Nation (2016–present)[16]
Rae Peppers Northern Cheyenne Tribe Democratic State representative (2013–)
Frosty Boss Ribs 1955– Blackfeet Nation Democratic State Representative (2009–2011, 2013–2015)
Tyson Runningwolf Blackfeet Nation Democratic Representative for Montana house district 16 (2019–present)
Jason Small Northern Cheyenne Republican State senator (2017–)
Frank Smith Assiniboine Democratic State representative (1998–2004); State senator (2004–)
Sharon Stewart–Peregoy 1953– Crow Democratic State senator (2009–2017)
State representative (2017–)
Lea Whitford Blackfeet Nation Democratic State senator (2015–)
Marvin Weatherwax Jr. Blackfeet Nation[17] Democratic Representative for Montana house district 15 (2019–present)
Susan Webber Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (2015–)
Jonathan Windy Boy Chippewa–Cree Democratic State representative (2002–2008); State senator (2008–)

New Mexico[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Ray Begaye 1954– Navajo Democratic State representative, District 4[18] (1999–2013)
Patricia Roybal Caballero Piro-Manso-Tiwa[19] Democratic State representative (2013–)
Sharon Clahchischilliage Navajo Republican State representative, District 4, 2013–2018[20]
Yvette Herrell Yvette Herrell official photo, 117th Congress.jpg 1964– Cherokee Republican State representative, District 51, 2011–2019.
Jack Jackson Sr. 1933– Navajo Democratic State representative[21]
Sandra D. Jeff 1967/68– Navajo Democratic State representative, District 5[20]
Doreen Wonda Johnson 1953– Navajo[22] Democratic State representative (2015–)
Derrick Lente Sandia & Isleta Pueblo Democratic State representative, District 26 (2013–)
Georgene Louis Acoma Pueblo[23] Democratic State representative, District 26 (2013–)
Lynda Lovejoy 1949– Navajo Democratic Public Regulation Commissioner[24]
James Madalena 1948– Jemez Pueblo[25] Democratic State representative (1985–)
Patricia A. Madrid 1994– Pueblo[26] Democratic
John Pinto John Pinto.jpg 1924–2019 Navajo Democratic State senator, District 3,[20] 1977–2019
Shannon Pinto Navajo Democratic State senator, District 3, 2019–present
Nick L. Salazar 1929–2020 Tewa (Ohkay Owingeh)[27] Democratic State representative, 40th District (1974–)
Benny Shendo Jemez Pueblo[28] Democratic State senator (2013–)

North Carolina[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
Tribe		 Party Offices held
Charles Graham CGraham.jpg 1951– Lumbee Democratic State assembly member
David T. McCoy DavidMcCoy.jpg 1952– Turtle Mountain Chippewa Democratic state public official, State Controller, State Budget Director, and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation

North Dakota[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Richard Marcellais 1947– Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Democratic State senator
Wayne Trottier Standing Rock Sioux Republican State representative
Ruth Buffalo Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Democratic State representative

Oklahoma[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Bill Anoatubby Gov Bill Anoatubby.jpg 1945– Chickasaw Nation Democratic Lieutenant governor in the administration of Chickasaw Governor Overton James (1979–1987)
Scott Bighorse c. 1956– Osage Nation Democratic State representative, 36th district (2006–2008)
Steve Burrage 1952– Choctaw Nation Democratic State Auditor (2008–2011); State Tax Commissioner (2014–present)
Sean Burrage President-Sean-Burrage.jpg 1968– Choctaw Nation Democratic Senate Minority leader (2012–2014; State senator (2006–2014); President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (2014–present)
Lisa Johnson Billy Lisa Johnson Billy.jpg 1967– Chickasaw Nation Republican State representative, 42nd district (2004–2016)[29]
Brian Bingman Brian Bingman.jpg 1953– Creek Republican State senator (2007–2016); State representative (2005–2007)
Doug Cox 1952– Muscogee[30] Republican State representative (2005–2017)
Brad Carson Brad carson23.jpg 1967– Cherokee people Democratic United States House of Representatives (2001–2005), undersecretary of the Army (2014–15) and General Counsel of the Army (2012–2014)
Tom Cole Rep-Tom-Cole-117thCong.jpeg 1949– Chickasaw Nation Republican 26th Secretary of State of Oklahoma (1995–1999)
Scott Fetgatter Fetgatter, Scott.jpg 1968– Choctaw Nation Republican State representative, 16th district (2016–present)
William Fourkiller 1965– Cherokee people Democratic State representative (2010–2018)
Enoch Kelly Haney Artist kelly haney.jpg 1940– Seminole Nation Democratic State representative (1980–1986), State senate (1986–2002)
Keith Harper Ambassador Keith Harper in Geneva 2014.jpg 1940– Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva (2014–2017)
LaDonna Harris LaDonnaHarris.png 1931– Comanche Nation Democratic Vice presidential candidate for the Citizens Party in the 1980 United States presidential election
Citizens
David Holt Mayor Holt at 2019 OKC Dodgers Season Opener (cropped).jpg 1979– Osage Republican Mayor of Oklahoma City (2018–) State senator (2010–2018)
Chuck Hoskin Chuck Hoskin.jpg 1952– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative, 6th district (2007–2019)
Shane Jett Shane Jett.jpg 1974– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2004–2010); Presidential Appointee Community Development Advisory Board (2017–present); State senator (2021–present)
Fred Jordan Jordan,Fred.jpg 1974– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2007–2015)
Dan Kirby 1946– Muscogee[31] Republican State representative (2009–2017)
Richard Lerblance Muscogee Democratic State senator (2003–2012)
Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2007–)
Wilma Mankiller WilmaMankillerByPhilKonstantin.jpg 1945–2010 Cherokee Nation Democratic First woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1985–1995)
Al McAffrey Rep. Al McAffrey.jpg 1948– Choctaw Democratic State representative[29] (2007–2015)
Mark McBride McBride, Mark.jpg 1961– Potawatomi Republican State representative (2012–present)
Neal McCaleb Neal McCaleb.jpg 1935– Chickasaw Republican State representative (1975–1983), Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation (1995–2001)
Green McCurtain Greenwood mccurtain.jpg 1848–1910 Choctaw Republican Vice President of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention, 1905
Skye McNiel 1978– Muscogee Creek Nation Republican State representative, 29th district[29] (2007–2013)
Jerry McPeak Jerry McPeak at USDA CNAFR meeting.jpg 1946– Muscogee Democratic State representative (2005–2016)
Johnston Murray Johnston Murray.jpg 1902–1974 Descended from Chickasaw Nation
Not a registered member		 Democratic Governor (1951–1955)
Anastasia Pittman Anastasia Pittman.jpg 1970– Seminole Democratic State representative (2007–2013), State senator (2014–2018)
Ajay Pittman Ajay Pittman.jpg 1993– Seminole Democratic State representative (2019–present)
Seneca Scott 1977– Choctaw[31] Democratic State representative (2008–2016)
T.W. Shannon Speaker Shannon.jpg 1978– Chickasaw Nation Republican State representative (2007–2015), Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2013–2014)
Jerry Shoemake 1943– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2005–2016)
John Sparks Sen John Sparks.jpg Cherokee Nation Democratic State senator (2006–2018)
Kevin Stitt Kevin Stitt Official (cropped).jpg 1972– Cherokee Nation Republican Governor (2019–present)
Choctaw Republican State representative (2005–present)
Kimberly Teehee Cherokee Nation Vice President of Government Relations Kimberly Teehee, commenting on her nomination as a delegate to the U.S. Congress, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Aug. 22, 2019 (cropped).jpg Cherokee Nation Democratic White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs (2009–2012)
Paul Wesselhoft Potawatomi Republican State representative (2005–2017)
Cory Williams Cory Williams.jpg Cherokee people Democratic State representative (2009–2019)

Oregon[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Jackie Taylor Potawatomi Democratic State representative (1991–2001)
Tawna Sanchez Shoshone, Bannock, Ute Democratic State representative (2017–)

Pennsylvania[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Barbara Smith 1950 – Sac and Fox Nation Democratic State representative (2006–2010)

South Dakota[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Shawn Bordeaux 1967 – Rosebud Sioux Democratic State representative (2015–Present)
Jim Bradford 1933 – 2020 Oglala Sioux Democratic State senator (2009–2017); State representative (2001–2009)
Ed Iron Cloud III 1964 – Oglala Sioux Democratic State representative (2009–2012)
Red Dawn Foster Oglala Sioux/Navajo Democratic State representative (2019 – present)
Troy Heinert 1972 – Rosebud Sioux Democratic State representative (2013–2015), State senator (2015–Present)
Philip N. Hogen Oglala Sioux Republican United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota (1981–1991), Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission (2002–2009)
Tamara St. John Tamara 2022 Headshot.jpg 1966 – Dakota Sioux Republican State representative (2019 – )
Kevin Killer 1979 – Oglala Sioux Democratic State representative (2009–2017), State senator (2017–2019)
Steve Livermont 1955 – Oglala Sioux Republican State representative (2017 – 2021)
Peri Pourier Oglala Sioux Democratic State representative (2019 - present)
Theresa Two Bulls 1949 – 2020 Oglala Sioux Democratic State senator (2005–2009)
Bruce Whalen Oglala Sioux Republican Oglala Sioux tribal administrator, former chair of the Oglala Lakota County Republican Party and nominee for South Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2006

Tennessee[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Bryan Terry 1968– Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2015–)

Utah[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
Angela Romero Assiniboine Democratic State representative (2013–)

Washington[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
1880–1954 Skokomish Democratic State representative (1933–1939), (1945–1954)
1938–2016 Ottawa Democratic State representative (2007–2009)
1861–1934 Snohomish Republican State senator (1919–1927), (1933–1934), State representative (1899–1903), (1905–1907), (1909–1911), (1917–1919)
Jim Dunn 1942– Inuit Republican State representative (1997–2003), (2005–2009)
Claudia Kauffman 1959– Nez Perce Democratic State senator (2007–2011)
Debra Lekanoff 1971– Tlingit Democratic State representative (2019–)
John McCoy 1943– Tulalip Democratic State senator (2013–2020), State representative (2003–2013)
Jeff Morris 1964– Tsimshian Democratic State representative (1997–2020)
Chief 1926–2011 Colville Democratic State representative (1965–1967)
Jay Rodne 1966– Bad River Ojibwe Republican State representative (2004–2019)
Dino Rossi Dino Rossi (cropped).jpg 1959– Tlingit Republican State senator (1997–2003, 2012, 2017); 2004 and 2008 Republican nominee for Governor
Lois Stratton 1927–2020 Spokane Democratic State senator (1985–1993), State representative (1980–1985)
1830–1893 Quapaw Territorial representative (1858–1860)

Wyoming[]

Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe		 Party Offices held
W. Patrick Goggles 1952- Arapaho Democratic State representative (2004–2015)
Affie Ellis Affie Ellis.jpg 1979/1980- Navajo Republican State senator (2017–)
Andi Clifford Arapaho Democratic State representative (2019–)

Municipal offices[]

Arizona[]

  • Roberta Cano, () Winslow Mayor (2021-)[32]

California[]

Idaho[]

  • , (Coeur d'Alene) Plummer City Council [2012–2016] Mayor [2016– ]

Minnesota[]

  • Renee Van Nett, (Leech Lake Ojibwe) Duluth City Council

New Mexico[]

  • , Navajo Democrat (Gallup, NM Magistrate Judge[34])
  • Carol Bowman Muskett, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District I[35])
  • Genevieve Jackson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District II[36])
  • Harriet K. Becenti, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Clerk[37])
  • Thommy Nelson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Probate Judge[38])
  • Felix Begay, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Sheriff[39])
  • Earnest Becenti, Navajo Democrat (Mckinley County, NM County Treasurer[40])
  • GloJean Todacheene, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, NM Commissioner District I[41])

Oklahoma[]

Utah[]

  • Willie Grayeyes, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission[42]
  • Kenneth Maryboy, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission [43])
  • Robin Troxell, Hopi Tribe of Arizona (Brigham City Councilmember)

Washington[]

  • , (b. 1978,) Choctaw Democrat, (Shoreline City Council [2010–])[44]
  • , (Nooksack) Bellingham City Council [2012–2018][45]
  • Debora Juarez, (Blackfeet) Seattle City Council [2016–][46]

Wisconsin[]

Other offices[]

  • Diego Archuleta (1814 – 1884), Member of the Mexican Congress, soldier in the Mexican Army, in the Mexican–American War, Native American Agent by President Abraham Lincoln, and member of the Union Army (US Army) during the American Civil War. He was the first Hispanic Brigadier General.
  • Fleming Begaye Sr. (1921–2019) (Navajo) – Navajo Code Talker, Honorary Chair of the Native American Coalition of the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign, 2016.
  • Peter MacDonald (born 1928) (Navajo) – Member of Richard Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP) in 1972.
  • Plenty Coups (1848–1932) (Crow) – Representative of Native Americans for the dedication of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
  • Dana Loesch (born 1978) (Cherokee) — radio host, TV personality, former spokesperson for the National Rifle Association.
  • Clarence L. Tinker (1887–1942) (Osage) – Major General, highest ranking Native American officer in the Army, Commander of the 7th Air Force in Hawaii, shot down and killed during the Battle of Midway.
  • Samuel Benton Callahan (1833–1911) (Creek) — Tribal Representative to the Confederate Congress, 1864–65. Represented Creek and Seminole nations.
  • Robert McDonald Jones (1808–1872) (Choctaw) — Tribal Representative to the Confederate Congress, 1863–65. Represented Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
  • Will Rogers (1879–1935, Cherokee), honorary mayor of Beverly Hills, California[48]
  • Tasha Cerda - first woman and person of either African American and Native American descent to be elected Mayor of Gardena, California (also first person of Native American descent to be elected mayor in the state of California)[49]
  • (Chickasaw) 2 term

References[]

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  2. ^ Pitzl, Mary Jo. "Sen. Jackson joining State Department". azcentral.com.
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  4. ^ "Nomination of Arvo Mikkanen to federal bench is dead for now". Indianz.
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  24. ^ "Lynda Lovejoy". Ballotpedia.
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External links[]

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