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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

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Executive branch

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Peter Pitchlynn 1806–1881 Choctaw Nation Independent Choctaw Ambassador to the United States, 1845–1861, 1866–1881
National Union[2]
Ely Parker 1828–1895 Tonawanda Seneca Independent Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Grant administration
Charles Curtis 1860–1936 Kaw/Osage/Potawatomi Republican U.S. Vice President, 1929–1933
Ben Reifel 1906–1990 Rosebud Lakota Republican Interim Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1976–1977
Wilma Victor 1919–1987 Choctaw Nation Republican Special assistant to Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton, 1971–1975
Ada Deer 1935–2023 Menominee Democratic 6th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1993–1997
Neal McCaleb 1935– Chickasaw Nation Republican 8th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2001–2003
Ross Swimmer 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
Larry Echo Hawk 1948– Pawnee Nation Democratic 11th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2009–2012
David W. Anderson 1953– Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Republican 9th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2004–2005
Marilynn Malerba 1953– Mohegan Democratic 45th Treasurer of the United States, 2022–present
Kevin Gover 1955– Pawnee Nation Democratic 7th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1997–2001
Deb Haaland 1960– Laguna Pueblo Democratic 54th United States Secretary of the Interior, 2021–present
Karina Walters 1964– Choctaw Nation Democratic Director of the Tribal Health Research Office at the National Institutes of Health, 2023–present
Carl J. Artman 1965– Oneida Republican 10th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2007–2008
Keith Harper 1965– Cherokee Nation Democratic U.S. representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, 2014–2017
Kimberly Teehee 1966– Cherokee Nation Democratic White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, 2009–2012
Kevin K. Washburn 1967– Chickasaw Nation Democratic 12th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2012–2016
Tara Sweeney 1973– Arctic Slope Iñupiat Republican 13th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2018–2021
Jack Jackson, Jr. Navajo Nation Democratic Liaison to Secretary John Kerry, US Department of State[3]
Bryan Newland Bay Mills Chippewa Democratic 14th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2021–present
Jeannie Hovland 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
Roselyn Tso Navajo Nation Democratic Director of the Indian Health Service, 2022–present

Legislative branch

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State offices

[edit]

Alaska

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Albert P. Adams 1942–2012 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1981–1989, state senator 1989–2001
Billy Akers 1947– [?] Republican State representative 1977–1979
Charles G. Anderson 1929–2022 Aleut Republican State representative 1981–1983
Nels A. Anderson, Jr. 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
Ray Christiansen 1922–1998 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1961–1967, state senator 1967–1973
Joseph Chuckwuk 1948– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1981–1983
John E. Curtis 1915–1999 Inupiaq Republican State representative 1959–1961
Larry T. Davis 1930–2006 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1975–1977
Chuck Degnan 1941– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1971–1975
Frank Degnan 1901–1980 [?] Democratic Territorial representative 1951–1953
Bryce Edgmon 1961– Yup'ik Democratic State representative 2007–present, speaker of the state house 2017–2021
Independent
Charles Fagerstrom 1905–1962 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1953–1957, state representative 1959–1961
Frank R. Ferguson 1939–2003 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1971–1975, state senator 1975–1986
Independent
Neal Foster 1972– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 2009–present
Richard Foster 1946–2009 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1989–2009
Charles Franz c. 1910–1996 [?] Democratic State representative 1959–1961
Phillip Guy 1941–2011 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1973–1981
Willie Hensley 1941– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1967–1971, state senator 1971–1975 and 1987–1989
Adelheid Herrmann 1953– Dena'ina Democratic State representative 1983–1989
Jimmy Hoffman c. 1925–1982 Yup’ik Republican State representative 1959–1961
Lyman Hoffman 1950– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1987–1991 and 1993–1995, state senator 1991–1993 and 1995–present
Andrew Hope 1896–1968 Tlingit Democratic Territorial representative 1945–1953 and 1957–1959, state representative 1959–1963
Eben Hopson 1922–1980 Inupiaq Democratic Territorial representative 1957–1959, state senator 1959–1967
Jimmy Huntington 1916–1987 Koyukon Independent State representative 1975–1977
Percy Ipalook 1906–1990 Inupiaq Republican Territorial representative 1949–1951, territorial senator 1951–1955
Brenda Itta 1943– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1975–1977
Ivan M. Ivan 1945– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1991–1993 and 1995–1999
George Jacko 1959– Aleut Democratic State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–1995
Dena'ina
Yup’ik
Arthur D. Johnson 1920–1961 [?] Republican State representative 1961
Axel C. Johnson 1911–1985 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1959–1961 and 1963–1967
Frank G. Johnson 1894–1982 Tlingit Republican Territorial representative 1947–1955 and 1957–1959
Frank L. Johnson c. 1904–[?] Inupiaq Republican Territorial representative 1949–1951
Grace A. Johnson 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 1948–2021 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1997–2005, state senator 2005–2013
Jacob Laktonen 1917–1996 Alutiiq Republican State representative 1973–1975
Loren Leman 1950– Alutiiq Republican State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–2002, lieutenant governor 2002–2006
Georgianna Lincoln 1943– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1991–1993, state senator 1993–2005
John Lincoln 1981– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 2018–2021
Independent
Don Long 1944– 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 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 B. Moore 1937–2022 Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1971–1973
Carl M. Morgan 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 1947–2000 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1977–1979
Ed Naughton 1930–2002 [?] Democratic State representative 1971–1977
Irene Nicholia 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 1915–2005 [?] Democratic State representative 1975–1981
Justin Parish 1980– Tinglit Democratic State representative 2017–2019
Josiah Patkotak 1994– Inupiaq[4] 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, (first Alaska Native legislator)
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 1939– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1973–1975
John Sackett 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 1947– Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1977–1981
Frank See 1915–1998 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1965–1969
Martin Seversen 1925–1979 [?] [?] State representative 1977
Jake Stalker 1917–c. 2008 Inupiaq Democratic State representative 1961–1967
Bill Thomas 1947– Tlingit Republican State representative 2005–2013
Tony Vaska 1948– Yup’ik Democratic State representative 1981–1985
Kay Wallis 1944– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1985–1991
Tim Wallis 1940– Gwich'in Democratic State representative 1975–1977
Jerry Ward 1948– Alaskan Athabaskan Alaskan Independence State representative 1983–1985, state senator 1997–2003
Republican
James K. Wells 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
Alfred Widmark 1904–1989 Tlingit Republican State representative 1961–1963
Bill K. Williams 1943–2019 Tlingit Democratic State representative 1993–2005
Republican
Jules W. Wright 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

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Carlyle Begay [?] Navajo Democratic State senator 2013–2017
Republican
Jennifer D. Benally [?] Navajo[5] Democratic State representative 2015–2017
Wenona Benally Navajo Democratic State representative 2017-2019
Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren Navajo Democratic State representative 2020–2023[6]
Domingo DeGrazia Cherokee Democratic State representative 2019–2023[6]
Eric Descheenie Navajo Democratic State representative 2017–2019
Chris Deschene Navajo Democratic State representative 2009–2011
Luis A. Gonzalez Pascua Yaqui Democratic State senator, District 10, 1979–1986[7]
Sally Ann Gonzales 1957– Pascua Yaqui Democratic State representative 1997–2001 and 2011–2019
Tom Gordon Hualapai Republican State representative 1999–2001
Albert Hale 1950–2021 Navajo Democratic State senator 2004–2011; State representative 2011–2021
Benjamin Hanley 1941– Navajo Democratic State representative, 1973–1998[7]
Theresa Hatathlie Navajo Democratic State Senator for AZ District 6, 2023 – present
James Henderson Jr. 1942– Navajo Democratic State senator, District 5, 1985–1999[7]
Arthur J. Hubbard Sr. 1912–2014 Navajo, Tohono Oʼodham Democratic State senator 1972–1984
Lloyd House 1931–2015 Navajo, Oneida Democratic State representative 1967–1968[8]
Jack Jackson, Jr. Navajo Democratic State Senator for AZ District 2, 2011–2013, State representative 2003–2005
Jennifer Jermaine White Earth Ojibwe Democratic State representative for the 18th district (2019–present)[6]
Sylvia Laughter [?] Navajo Democratic State representative 1999–2005
Independent
Myron Lizer Navajo / Comanche Republican 10th Vice President of the Navajo Nation
Peter MacDonald 1928– Navajo Republican 7th Chairman of the Navajo Nation (1970–1989)
Jonathan Nez 1975– Navajo Democratic 9th President of the Navajo Nation
Debora Lynn Norris Navajo, Tohono Oʼodham Democratic State representative, District 11, 1997–2002[7]
Victoria Steele [?] Seneca Democratic State representative 2013–2016, State senator 2019–2023
Arlando Teller Navajo Democratic State representative 2019–2021[6]
Albert Tom 1956– Navajo Democratic State representative, 2001–2002, 2005–2008[7]
Myron Tsosie Navajo Democratic State representative 2019–present[6]
Daniel Peaches 1940–2022 Navajo Democratic State representative, 1975–1984[7]
Jamescita Peshlakai Navajo Democratic State representative, District 7 (2013-2015) State senator (2017-2021)[9]
Mae Peshlakai Navajo Democratic State representative, District 6 (2023–present)
Peterson Zah 1937–2023 Navajo Democratic Special Adviser to ASU President on American Indian Affairs

Arkansas

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Donna Hutchinson 1949– Blackfeet Republican State representative, District 98, 2007–2013[10]

California

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Pío Pico 1801–1894 Indigenous Sonoran Independent Governor of California (1845–1846),
Member of the Los Angeles Common Council (1853)
Republican
Todd Gloria 1978– TlingitHaida Democratic State assemblyman (2017–2020)
James C. Ramos 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)

Colorado

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

Idaho

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Joseph R. Garry 1910–1975 Coeur d'Alene Democratic State representative (1956–1960)[11][12]
Jeanne Givens 1951/52– Coeur d'Alene Democratic State representative (1985–1989)
Larry Echo Hawk 1948– Pawnee Nation Democratic Attorney General of Idaho (1991–1995)
Paulette Jordan 1979– Coeur d'Alene Democratic State representative (2014–2018)
Democratic nominee for Governor in 2018
Democratic nominee for Senate in 2020

Illinois

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Donne E. Trotter 1950– Choctaw[13] Democratic State senator (1993–2018); State representative (1988–1993)

Kansas

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Ponka–We Victors 1981– PoncaTohono O'odham Democratic State representative, District 103 (2011–present)[14]
Stephanie Byers 1963- Chickasaw Democratic State representative, District 86 (2021-2023)[15]
Christina Haswood 1994- Navajo Democratic State representative, District 10 (2021–present)[16]

Kentucky

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Reginald Meeks 1954– Cherokee Nation[17] Democratic State representative (2000–2021)

Maine

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Lola Coly (Cola/Nicola)[18] Penobscot Independent State representative, 1980–1897, 1911–1913[19]
Matthew Dana II Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non–voting)
Lewy Mitchell Passamaquoddy Independent State representative 1880–1881, 1883–1887, 1895–1897, 1903–1905[19]
Wayne Mitchell 1952–2019 Penobscot Independent State representative (non–voting)
John S. Nelson Penobscot Independent State representative, 1957–1971[19]
Peter M. Nelson Penobscot Independent State representative, 1905–1907[20][19]
Peter F. Neptune Passamaquoddy Independent State representative, 1905–1907[20][19]
Joseph Neptune Passamaquoddy Independent State representative, 1907–1909[19]
Joseph Nicolar 1827–1894 Penobscot Independent State representative, 1859–1866, 1881–1894[19]
Rena Newell Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non-voting)
Sebatis Shay Penobscot Independent State representative, 1899–1901[19]
Nicholas Sockabasin Penobscot Independent State representative, 1907–1909[19]
Peol Sockis Penobscot Independent State representative, 1853–1856, 1861–1866[19]
Madonna Soctomah Passamaquoddy Independent State representative (non-voting)
Henry John Bear Maliseet Green State representative (non–voting)

Massachusetts

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Watson F. Hammond 1837–1919 Montauk Republican State representative (1885)[21]

Michigan

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Cora Reynolds Anderson 1882-1950 Chippewa Republican State representative (1924-1925)
Adam Hollier 1985– Muscogee Creek Nation Democratic State senator (2018–2022)

Minnesota

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Susan Allen 1963– Rosebud Lakota Democratic State representative (2012–2019)
Jamie Becker–Finn Leech Lake Ojibwe Democratic State representative (2017–present)
Harold "Skip" Finn 1948–2018 Leech Lake Ojibwe Democratic State senator (1991–1996)
Peggy Flanagan 1979– White Earth Band of Ojibwe Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present)
State representative (2015–2019)
Steve Green 1960– White Earth Band of Ojibwe Republican State representative (2013–2023)
State senator (2023–present)
Mary Kelly Kunesh–Podein 1960– Standing Rock Lakota Democratic State representative (2017–2021)
State senator (2021–present)

Mississippi

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Greenwood LeFlore 1800–1865 Mississippi Choctaw Whig State representative, State senator (1841–1844)
Carolyn Crawford 1970– Saginaw Chippewa Republican State representative (2012–present)[22]

Montana

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Dolly Akers 1901–1986 Assiniboine Democratic State representative, 1933–1934[11]
Jade Bahr 1988– Northern Cheyenne[23] Democratic State representative, district 50 (2019–2021)
Barbara Bessette[24] Chippewa Cree[23] Democratic State representative, district 24 (2018–present)
Norma Bixby 1941– Northern Cheyenne Democratic State representative, district 41 (2000–2008)[25]
Margarett Campbell 1954– Assiniboine Democratic State representative, district 31 (2004–2011)[26]
Bill Eggers Crow Democratic State representative, district 6 (1998–2003)[25]
Bob Gervais 1931– Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (1989–1993)[27][28]
George Heavy Runner 1955– Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative, district 85 (1995–1998)[29]
Joey Jayne 1957– Navajo Democratic State representative, district 15 (2001–2009)[25]
Carol Juneau 1945– Mandan and Hidatsaa Democratic State representative (1998–2007); State senator (2007–2011)[25]
Denise Juneau 1967– Mandan and Hidatsaa Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction (2009–2017)
Carolyn Pease–Lopez Crow Democratic State representative (2008–2016)
Leo Kennerly Jr. 1936–1980 Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (1977–1979)[30]
Roland Kennerly 1934–2004 Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (1981–1987)[28]
Gary Kimble 1942–2022 Gros Ventre Democratic State representative (1972–1978)[30]
George Kipp III Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (2015–2019)
Rhonda Knudsen 1958– Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Republican State representative (2019–present)
Speaker pro tempore of the Montana House (2023–present)
G. Bruce Meyers 1948– Chippewa–Cree Republican State representative (2015–2017)
Shane Morigeau 1984– Confederated Salish and Kootenai Democratic State representative (2017–2021)
State senator (2021–present)
Alvin Not Afraid Jr. Crow Republican Chairman of the Crow Nation (2016–present)[31]
Gerald Pease 1954– Crow[26] Democratic State representative (1997–1998); State senator, district 21 (2001–2009)[25]
Rae Peppers Crow Democratic State representative (2013–2021)[32]
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)
Angela Russell 1943– Crow Democratic State representative (1987–1995)
Jason Small 1978– Northern Cheyenne Republican State senator (2017–present)
Veronica Small-Eastman 1941– Crow Democratic State representative, district 42 (2002–2009)[26]
Frank Smith 1942– Assiniboine, Sioux[26] Democratic State representative (1998–2004, 2011–2013); State senator (2004–2009, 2017–2021)
Sharon Stewart–Peregoy 1953– Crow Democratic State senator (2009–2017)
State representative (2017–present)
Jay O. Stovall 1940–2011 Crow Republican State representative (1992–2000)[29]
Jean A. Turnage 1926–2015 Confederated Salish and Kootenai Republican State representative, State senator (1969–1983)[28]
Bill Whitehead 1939– Assiniboine, Sioux Democratic State representative (1997–1998)[33]
Lea Whitford Blackfeet Nation Democratic State senator (2015–present)
Marvin Weatherwax Jr. Blackfeet Nation[34] Democratic State representative, district 15 (2019–present)
Susan Webber Blackfeet Nation Democratic State representative (2015–present)
Jonathan Windy Boy Chippewa–Cree Democratic State representative (2002–2008); State senator (2008–present)
Bill Yellowtail 1948– Crow Democratic State senator (1985–1994)[27][28]

Nebraska

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Tom Brewer 1958– Oglala Republican State senator, District 43, 2017–[35]

Nevada

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Dewey Sampson 1898–1982 Pyramid Lake Paiute Democratic State representative, District 1, 1938–1940[36]
John Oceguera 1968– Walker River Paiute Democratic State representative, 2000–2012[37]
Shea Backus 1975– Cherokee Democratic State representative, 2018–2020[38]

New Mexico

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Anthony Allison Navajo Democratic State representative, District 4 2019 – present[39]
James D. Atcitty 1932–2014 Navajo Democratic State representative, District 1 1964–1966[40][11]
Thomas Atcitty 1933–2020 Navajo Democratic State representative, District 4, 1981–1995[41]
Reginald A. Begaye c. 1944 Navajo Democratic State representative, 1979–1980[42]
Wilbert C. Begay 1939– Navajo Republican State representative, District 1, 1966–1970[43]
Ray Begaye 1954– Navajo Democratic State representative, District 4[44] (1999–2013)
Patricia Roybal Caballero 1949- Piro-Manso-Tiwa[45] Democratic State representative (2013–present)
Jake C. Chee 1907–2014 Navajo Republican State representative, District 1, 1966–1968[43][46]
Wendell Chino 1923–1998 Apache "Red Capitalism" President of Mescalero Apache Nation 1965-1998
Sharon Clahchischilliage 1948– Navajo Republican State representative, District 4, 2013–2018[47]
Yvette Herrell 1964– Cherokee Republican State representative, District 51, 2011–2019.
Jack Jackson Sr. 1933– Navajo Democratic State representative[48]
Sandra D. Jeff 1967/68– Navajo Democratic State representative, District 5[47]
Doreen Wonda Johnson 1953– Navajo[49] Democratic State representative (2015–present)
Monroe Jymm 1933–1990 Navajo Democratic State representative, District 1 1965–1967[40][11]
Tom Lee 1920–1986 Navajo Republican State senator District 3 1966–1978,[11] (first Native American elected to the New Mexico Senate)
Derrick Lente Sandia & Isleta Pueblo Democratic State representative, District 26 (2013–)
Georgene Louis Acoma Pueblo[50] Democratic State representative, District 26 (2013–2023)
Brenda McKenna Nambé Pueblo Democratic State senator, District 9 (2021-)[51]
Lynda Lovejoy 1949– Navajo Democratic State representative, State senator, District 22 (2007-2013), Public Regulation Commissioner[52]
James Madalena 1948– Jemez Pueblo[53] Democratic State representative (1985–2017)
Patricia A. Madrid 1994– Pueblo[54] Democratic
John Pinto 1924–2019 Navajo Democratic State senator, District 3,[47] 1977–2019
Shannon Pinto Navajo Democratic State senator, District 3 (2019–present)
Nick L. Salazar 1929–2020 Tewa (Ohkay Owingeh)[55] Democratic State representative, 40th District (1974–present)
Benny Shendo Jemez Pueblo[56] Democratic State senator (2013–present)
Albert Shirley c. 1956 Navajo Democratic State representative, District 6, 1985–1992[57]
Leonard Tsosie 1955– Navajo Democratic State senator, District 22, 1993–2007[58]
Leo C. Watchman 1937–1993 Navajo Democratic State representative, 1968–1979, 1983–1993[59]

North Carolina

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
Tribe
Party Offices held
Charles Graham 1951– Lumbee Democratic State representative, 2011–2023
Jarrod Lowery 1988- Lumbee Republican State representative, 2023–present[60]
David T. McCoy 1952– Turtle Mountain Chippewa Democratic state public official, State Controller, State Budget Director, and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation
Henry Ward Oxendine 1940–2020 Lumbee Democratic State representative, 1973–1976[61]
Ronnie N. Sutton 1941- Lumbee Democratic State representative, 1993-2011[62]

North Dakota

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Dennis Bercier 1952–2012 Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Democratic-NPL State senator, 1999-2005[63][64]
Ruth Buffalo Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Democratic-NPL State representative, 2018-2022
Dawn Marie Charging Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Republican State representative, 2005–2007[65][63]
Jayme Davis Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Democratic-NPL State representative, 2022–present
Lisa Finley-DeVille Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Democratic-NPL State representative, 2023–present
Daniel F. Jérome 1930– Métis/Ojibwe Democratic-NPL State senator, 1990–1994[63][66]
Les J. LaFountain Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Democratic-NPL State senator, 1995-1998[63][67]
Richard Marcellais 1947– Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Democratic-NPL State senator, 2007-2022, 2024–present
Joseph Menz 1883–1970 Standing Rock Sioux Republican State representative, 1957–1963[68]
Wayne Trottier Standing Rock Sioux Republican State representative, 2011-2022
Arthur J. Raymond 1923–2009 Oglala Republican State representative, 1971–1975[69][63]

Oklahoma

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Larry Adair 1946- Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (1982–2004),
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2001–2004)
Jimmy Belvin 1900–1986 Choctaw Nation Democratic Bryant County Superintendent (1941–1952),
State representative (1955–1961),
State senator (1961–1965),
Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (194–1975)
Scott Bighorse c. 1956– Osage Nation Democratic State representative (2006–2008),
Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Nation (2010–2014),
Principal Chief of the Osage Nation (2014),
Member of the Osage Nation Congress (2018–present)
Lisa Johnson Billy 1967– Chickasaw Nation Republican Chickasaw Nation Tribal Legislator (1996–2002; 2016–present),
State representative (2004–2016),[70]
1st Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs (2019)
Brian Bingman 1953– Muscogee Creek Nation Republican Member of the Sapulpa city council (1992–2004),
Mayor of Sapulpa (1994-2004),
State representative (2004-2006),
State senator (2006–2016),
President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate (2011-2016),
36th Secretary of State of Oklahoma (2020–2023),
2nd Oklahoma Secretary of Native American Affairs (2020–2023),
Member-elect of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (2025)
Brad Boles 1983– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2018–present)
Chelsey Branham Chickasaw Nation Democratic State representative (2018–2020)
Josh Brecheen 1979– Choctaw Nation[71] Republican State senator (2010–2018),
U.S. Congressman (2023–present)
Michael Burrage 1950– Choctaw Nation Independent Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern and Western District of Oklahoma (1994–2001)
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (1996–2001)
Steve Burrage 1952– Choctaw Nation Democratic State Auditor (2008–2011),
State Tax Commissioner (2014–2016)
Sean Burrage 1968– Choctaw Nation Democratic State senator (2006–2014),
Senate Minority leader (2012–2014),
President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (2014–2019)
Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education (2024–present)
Trey Caldwell 1988– Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2019–present)
Bobby Cleveland 1943- Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2012–2018)
Helen Cole 1922-2004 Chickasaw Nation Republican State representative (1979–1984),
State senator (1984-1988, 1991-1996)
Tom Cole 1949– Chickasaw Nation Republican State senator (1988–1991),
26th Secretary of State of Oklahoma (1995–1999),
U.S. Congressman (2003-present)
Doug Cox 1952– Muscogee Creek Nation[72] Republican State representative (2005–2017)
Gilbert Dukes 1849–1919 Choctaw Nation Republican Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1910
William A. Durant 1866–1948 Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative (1907–1917),
Speaker of the Oklahoma House (1911–1913)
James Dyer 1887–1951 Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative (1946–1951)[73]
J. Gladstone Emery 1900–1978 Muscogee Creek Nation Democratic State senator (1947–1951)[73]
Rusty Farley 1953–2011 Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2011)
Scott Fetgatter 1968– Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2016–present)
Avery Frix 1994– Choctaw Nation[71] Republican State representative (2017–2022),
State senator (2024–present)
William Fourkiller 1965– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2010–2018)
Larry Glenn 1947– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representatives (2005-2015)
Todd Gollihare 1964– Cherokee Nation Republican State Senator (2023–present)
Enoch Kelly Haney 1940–2022 Seminole Nation Democratic State representative (1980–1986),
State senate (1986–2002)
David Hardin Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2018–present)
Erick Harris Muscogee Creek Nation Republican State representative (2024–present)
Benjamin F. Harrison 1875–1936 Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative (1907–1910),
Oklahoma Secretary of State (1911–1915)
David Holt 1979– Osage Nation Republican State senator (2010–2018),
Mayor of Oklahoma City (2018–)
Chuck Hoskin 1952– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2007–2019)
Shane Jett 1974– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2004–2010),
State senator (2021–present)
Fred Jordan 1974– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2007–2015)
Dan Kirby 1946– Muscogee Creek Nation[74] Republican State representative (2009–2017)
Elias Landrum 1866–1958 Cherokee Nation Democratic Cherokee Nation district judge (1893-1895),
Cherokee Nation senator (1895-1899),
Tahlequah Alderman (1899-1903),
Tahlequah city recorder (1903-1905),
State senator (1907-1913),
Craig County Treasurer (1930-1934),
Craig County Judge (1934-1936)
Richard Lerblance 1946– Muscogee Creek Nation Democratic State senator (2003–2012),
State representative (2002–2003)
Ken Luttrell 1953– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2007–present)
Republican
Al McAffrey 1948– Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative[70] (2007–2015)
Mark McBride 1961– Citizen Potawatomi Republican State representative (2012–2024)
Neal McCaleb 1935– Chickasaw Nation Republican State representative (1975–1983),
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation (1995–2001)
Curtis McDaniel 1952– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2012–2014)
Skye McNiel 1978– Muscogee Creek Nation Republican State representative[70] (2007–2013)
Jerry McPeak 1946– Muscogee Creek Nation Democratic State representative (2005–2016)
Arvo Mikkanen 1961– Kiowa Nation Democratic US Assistant Attorney for United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma since 1994.[75] Later unsuccessful US District Judge nomination[76]
Johnston Murray 1902–1974 Of Chickasaw descent
Not a registered member
Democratic Governor (1951–1955)
Republican
Mike Osburn 1968– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2016–present)
John Pfeiffer 1986– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2014–present)
Anastasia Pittman 1970– Seminole Nation Democratic State representative (2007–2013),
State senator (2014–2018)
Ajay Pittman 1993– Seminole Nation Democratic State representative (2019–present)
Thomas LaFayette Rider (1856-1932) Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (1907–1910; 1912-1914),
State senator (1916-1920)
Dustin Roberts Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2010–2022)
Hollis E. Roberts 1943–2011 Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative (1975–1979)
Seneca Scott 1977– Choctaw Nation[74] Democratic State representative (2008–2016)
Ally Seifried 1992- Cherokee Nation Republican State senator (2023–present)
T. W. Shannon 1978– Chickasaw Nation Republican State representative (2007–2015),
Speaker of the Oklahoma House (2013–2014)
Jerry Shoemake 1943– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2005–2016)
Ralph Shortey 1982– Rosebud Lakota Republican State representative (2011–2017)
John Sparks Cherokee Nation Democratic State senator (2006–2018)
Ron Stewart Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative (2024–present)
William G. Stigler 1891–1952 Choctaw Nation Democratic State senator (1924–1932)
Kevin Stitt 1972– Cherokee Nation Republican Governor (2019–present)
Daniel Sullivan 1963– Choctaw Nation Republican State representative (2004–2011)
Amanda Swope 1988– Muscogee Creek Nation Democratic State representative (2022–present)
Houston B. Teehee 1874–1953 Cherokee Nation Democratic Mayor of Tahlequah (1907–1909),
State representative (1910–1914)
Bob A. Trent 1913–1992 Choctaw Nation Democratic State representative, state senator[73]
Mark Vancuren 1964– Cherokee Nation Republican State representative (2018–present)
Paul Wesselhoft 1947– Citizen Potawatomi Republican State representative (2005–2017)
Collin Walke 1982– Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2016–2023)
Cory Williams Cherokee Nation Democratic State representative (2009–2019)
Jonathan Wingard 1982– Choctaw Nation Republican State senator (2024–present)
Tom Woods 1994- Chickasaw Nation Republican State senator (2023–present)

Oregon

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Jackie Taylor 1935–2008 Potawatomi Democratic State representative (1991–2001)
Tawna Sanchez 1961– Shoshone, Bannock, Ute Democratic State representative (2017–present)

Pennsylvania

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

South Carolina

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
Fawn Pedalino 1987– Natchez-Kusso Republican State representative (2023–present)

South Dakota

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
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)
Jim Emery 1934–2021 Cheyenne River Sioux Republican State representative (1985–1986), State senator (1986–1996)
Pat Flynn 1922–1979 Lakota Republican State senator (1971–1973)[77]
Red Dawn Foster Oglala Sioux/Navajo Democratic State representative (2019 –present)
Troy Heinert 1972 – Rosebud Lakota 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 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)
Ellis T. Peirce 1846–1926 Oglala Sioux Republican State representative (1903–1904)[78]
Peri Pourier Oglala Sioux Democratic State representative (2019–present)
Thomas Short Bull 1946– Oglala Sioux Democratic State senator (1983–1988)[77]
Theresa Two Bulls 1949–2020 Oglala Sioux Democratic State senator (2005–2009)
Tyler Tordsen Dakota Sioux Republican State representative (2023 – )
Paul Valandra 1953– Rosebud Lakota Democratic State representative (1991–2000), State senator (2001–2006)
Tom Van Norman 1964– Cheyenne River Sioux Democratic State representative (2000–2008)[79]
Ron J. Volesky 1954– Hunkpapa[80] Republican State representative (1981–1986, 1993–2000), State senator (2001–2002)
Democratic
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

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

Utah

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

Washington

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
George Adams 1880–1954 Skokomish Democratic State representative (1933–1939), (1945–1954)
W. Ron Allen 1947— S'Klallam Independent Tribal Chairmen (1977–present), NCAI treasurer and president,
Don Barlow 1938–2016 Ottawa Democratic State representative (2007–2009)
William Bishop 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 George Pierre 1926–2011 Colville Democratic State representative (1965–1967)
Jay Rodne 1966– Bad River Ojibwe Republican State representative (2004–2019)
Dino Rossi 1959– Tlingit Republican State senator (1997–2003, 2012, 2017); 2004 and 2008 Republican nominee for Governor
Chris Stearns Navajo Nation Democratic State senator (1985–1993), State representative (2022- )
Lois Stratton 1927–2020 Spokane Democratic State senator (1985–1993), State representative (1980–1985)
John Tennant 1830–1893 Quapaw Territorial representative (1858–1860)

Wyoming

[edit]
Name Image Life Ethnicity
or tribe
Party Offices held
W. Patrick Goggles 1952– Arapaho Democratic State representative (2004–2015)
Affie Ellis 1979/1980– Navajo Republican State senator (2017–2025)
Andi LeBeau Arapaho Democratic State representative (2019–2023)
Scott Ratliff 1943– Eastern Shoshone Democratic State representative (1980–1992)[77]
Ivan Posey Eastern Shoshone Democratic State representative (2025–present)

Municipal offices

[edit]

Arizona

[edit]

California

[edit]

Idaho

[edit]

Maine

[edit]

Minnesota

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

New Mexico

[edit]
  • April J. Silversmith, Navajo Democrat (Gallup, NM Magistrate Judge[85])
  • Carol Bowman Muskett, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District I[86])
  • Genevieve Jackson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District II[87])
  • Harriet K. Becenti, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Clerk[88])
  • Thommy Nelson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Probate Judge[89])
  • Felix Begay, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Sheriff[90])
  • Earnest Becenti, Navajo Democrat (Mckinley County, NM County Treasurer[91])
  • GloJean Todacheene, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, NM Commissioner District I[92])

Oklahoma

[edit]

Utah

[edit]
  • Willie Grayeyes, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission[93])
  • Kenneth Maryboy, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission [94])
  • Robin Troxell, Hopi Tribe of Arizona (Brigham City Councilmember)

Washington

[edit]

Wisconsin

[edit]

Other offices

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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[edit]