2026 Endorsements

BILL HILL
he/him
Dena’ina Athabascan
Office: U.S. House of Representatives, Alaska At-Large

Bill Hill is a lifelong Alaskan, educator, commercial fisherman, and small business owner with decades of experience serving communities across the state. A member of the Dena’ina Athabascan people, Hill has spent nearly 25 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, earning recognition as Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023.

In addition to his career in education, Hill has worked in commercial fishing, rural construction, and manufacturing. He and his wife founded Bristol Bay Brailer, a small business supporting Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, and he has long been involved in labor and community advocacy.

Based in Naknek, Hill is running for Congress to strengthen opportunities for working families, ensure rural and Alaska Native communities have a stronger voice in Washington, and protect the lands and waters that sustain Alaska’s way of life.

CHRIS JAMES
he/him
Eastern Band of Cherokee
Office: U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona’s 5th Congressional District

Chris James is a nationally recognized economic strategist, small business advocate, and public servant with a track record of strengthening Tribal economies and expanding opportunity for underserved communities. He currently serves as President and CEO of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, where he has significantly grown support for Native entrepreneurs and leads the Reservation Economic Summit, one of the largest Native business gatherings in the country.

James has held senior roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he managed major federal investments, expanded access to capital, and launched initiatives to support small businesses nationwide. Known for his ability to work across sectors and administrations, he has built partnerships that bring federal resources directly to local communities.

Based in Gilbert, Arizona, James is running for Congress to improve how federal systems serve everyday people, strengthen local economies, and deliver practical, solutions-oriented leadership.

DIOP HARRIS
he/him
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
Office: U.S. House of Representatives MI-04

Diop Harris is a new-generation leader from Battle Creek, Michigan. Inspired by the legacy of civil rights icon John Lewis, Harris stepped into public service with a belief that “the heroes of the past are no longer here to save us—so we must step up to save ourselves.”

After earning a degree in public policy from Michigan State University, Harris served as a field organizer, campaign staffer, and later as a legislative correspondent for Senator Sherrod Brown, connecting constituents to federal services. He is active with the local Democratic Party and the Battle Creek NAACP, where he advocates for justice, equity, and opportunity for working families across Michigan.

Harris is also an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (for identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program).

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE
he/him
Kanaka Maoli
Office: U.S. House of Representatives, Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District

Jarrett Keohokalole is a Native Hawaiian leader, attorney, and state legislator committed to strengthening local communities and advancing policies that reflect the needs of Hawaiʻi’s people. Born and raised in Honolulu, he has dedicated his career to public service rooted in ʻike, culture, and community.

Keohokalole currently serves in the Hawaiʻi State Senate, where he represents District 24 and is part of the Senate leadership team as Assistant Majority Whip. He chairs the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and has been a leading voice for Native Hawaiian communities as Co-Chair of the Native Hawaiian Caucus. He previously served in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, building a legislative record focused on affordability, public health, and government accountability.

An attorney by training, Keohokalole earned his law degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s William S. Richardson School of Law and worked as a legal fellow at the Department of Land and Natural Resources. His campaign for Congress centers on lowering costs for families, protecting public health and safety, and ensuring a strong future for Native Hawaiian communities.

JONATHAN NEZ
he/him
Navajo Nation
Office: U.S. House of Representatives, Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District

Jonathan Nez is a longtime public servant and former President of the Navajo Nation with a career dedicated to improving the lives of rural and Tribal communities. Born in Tuba City and raised in Shonto, Arizona, he brings deep experience in governance, infrastructure, and community-led leadership

Nez began his public service at age 29 as Vice President of the Shonto Chapter. He went on to serve on the Navajo Nation Council, as a County Supervisor, and as Vice President of the Navajo Nation before being elected President in 2019. During his tenure, he led the Navajo Nation through the COVID-19 pandemic, securing critical resources for healthcare, housing, and infrastructure, and expanding access to clean water and electricity for underserved communities.

A coalition builder with a focus on practical solutions, Nez is running for Congress to strengthen democracy, lower costs for working families, address the opioid crisis, and protect Arizona’s land, water, and future.

HEATHER KEELER
she/her
Yankton Sioux, Eastern Shoshone
Office: U.S. House of Representatives, Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District

Heather Keeler is a community organizer, educator, and state legislator with more than 25 years of experience advancing equity in healthcare, education, and community wellbeing. A member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021, she represents District 4A and has built a strong record of delivering results for Greater Minnesota.

Keeler began her career working in public schools, supporting Native students through cultural engagement, academic programming, and community-centered approaches. She has long been active in grassroots organizing, including work on food access, water protection, mutual aid networks, and community safety.

In the legislature, Keeler has led efforts to address housing instability, expand access to food and mental health services, and strengthen support systems for families and young people. Known for her collaborative approach, she has worked across political lines to secure significant investments in housing, education, and human services.

Keeler is running for Congress to continue advocating for rural communities, lower costs for families, and ensure that government works for those too often left out of decision-making.

PEGGY FLANAGAN
she/her
White Earth Nation
Office: U.S. Senate, Minnesota

Peggy Flanagan is a nationally recognized leader and lifelong advocate for children, families, and Tribal communities. If elected, she would make history as the first Native woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

From becoming the youngest and first Native member of the Minneapolis School Board at 25 to serving as Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor, Flanagan has consistently expanded representation and delivered results. She has championed paid family and medical leave, free school meals, historic housing investments, and groundbreaking advances in Tribal–state relations—including MMIP prevention, land back efforts, and Native language revitalization.

Re-elected as Lieutenant Governor in 2022, Flanagan is the highest-ranking Native woman currently serving in elected office nationwide. She has also represented District 46A in the Minnesota House of Representatives and served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund, where she fought to end racial inequities for children and young adults.

BRIAN GARCIA
he/him
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Office: Arizona House of Representatives, District 8

Brian Garcia is an attorney, community advocate, and first-term Arizona state representative committed to expanding opportunity for working families. Born and raised in Arizona by parents from El Salvador and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Mexico, he was the first in his family to graduate from high school, college, graduate school, and law school.

Before joining the Arizona Legislature, Garcia served as President and Vice President of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board. During his first legislative term, he co-sponsored four bills signed into law, including legislation establishing Arizona’s Turquoise Alert system to help address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis. Garcia also serves on the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Constitution Committee and the Board of Directors of the National Native American Bar Association.

He is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that strengthen Arizona families, expand educational opportunity, and ensure all communities have a voice in state government.

CLARA PRATTE
she/her
Navajo
Office: Arizona Corporation Commission

Clara Pratte (Navajo) grew up on the Navajo Nation in Tsé Si Ani, Arizona. Her family didn’t have electricity or running water until she was in middle school, which is one reason why she has dedicated her professional life to giving back to rural, tribal, and low-income communities. She is now running for the office that regulates utilities in Arizona.

Pratte holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She is the Founder and CEO of Strongbow Strategies, a consulting firm that assists Tribes, governments, and businesses with technical, programmatic, and IT services. She also founded and served as the Executive Chair of Navajo Power, a public benefit corporation that develops clean energy projects on tribal lands.

DEBORAH ANN BEGAY
she/they
Navajo Nation
Office: Justice of the Peace, Encanto Precinct (Maricopa County, Arizona)

Deborah Ann Begay is a judge, attorney, veteran, and former Justice of the Peace with a distinguished career in public service. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Begay made history in 2020 as the first Native American elected to the Maricopa County Justice Courts.

Most recently serving as an Administrative Law Judge for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Begay has also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice on the Navajo Nation, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the Arizona Department of Education. In addition to her public service, she is a published writer and poet, founder of Sisnaajiini Consulting, and a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Based in Phoenix, Begay is running for Justice of the Peace to bring fairness, compassion, and community-centered leadership to the bench while ensuring the courts remain accessible and responsive to the people they serve.

JENNIFER JERMAINE
she/her
White Earth Ojibwe
Office: Justice of the Peace, San Marcos Judicial Precinct (Maricopa County, Arizona)

Jennifer Jermaine is a judge, former state legislator, and public servant dedicated to expanding access to justice and strengthening public institutions. A descendant of White Earth Nation, she has served as Justice of the Peace for the San Marcos Judicial Precinct since 2023.

Before joining the bench, Jermaine served two terms in the Arizona House of Representatives, where she was the ranking member on the Government, Elections Reform, and Military and Veterans Affairs Committees. She also chaired Arizona’s Study Committee on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, helping elevate awareness of issues impacting Native communities across the state.

Jermaine is running for re-election to continue ensuring fair access to justice while bringing thoughtful, balanced, and community-centered leadership to the court.

IAN TELLER
he/him
Navajo Nation
Office: Arizona House of Representatives, District 6

Ian Teller (Navajo Nation) was raised in Tsaile, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, in a family grounded in traditional teachings, language, and ceremony. His work is rooted in uplifting Native voices and expanding civic participation, particularly among young people, through education and community engagement.

In 2024, Teller launched the When Natives Vote Youth Initiative in partnership with the Center for Native American Youth’s Democracy is Indigenous Program, increasing voter participation on the Navajo Nation through outreach and youth engagement. His leadership has been recognized by UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth). Teller is a digital creator who shares political education content with a Native audience and currently serves as a Development Officer at Diné College, supporting Navajo students and educational initiatives. He holds degrees from Fort Lewis College and the University of Southern California. Teller is running for the Arizona House of Representatives to expand representation and create opportunities for future generations across District 6.

MICHAEL MAZZOCCO
he/him
Delaware Nation
Office: Phoenix City Council, District 4 (AZ)

Michael Mazzocco currently works in the event planning industry and founded an event coordination firm in 2017. He was born on Fort Sill in Oklahoma and spent his childhood living on military bases in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alaska.

Mazzacco’s event planning business, Michael Mazzocco Events, has redefined the fundraising landscape in Phoenix and his events have raised more than $500,000 for over 20 local nonprofits and arts organizations. He is a board member of the Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus, currently chairs the Children’s Museum Gala, is involved with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce for Arizona, and recently concluded a board term with the Arizona Costume Institute.

NAOMI MIGUEL
she/her
Tohono O’odham
Office: Arizona House of Representatives, District 23

Naomi Miguel (Tohono O’odham), Ba’ag Nei’dam O’ks (Eagle Singing Woman), was born in Tucson and raised in Chui-Chu village on the Tohono O’odham Nation. She has dedicated her career to advancing tribal sovereignty, strengthening public systems, and expanding opportunities for Native communities. From her early involvement in school and community activities to her work in national policy spaces, Miguel has been driven by a commitment to ensuring that Indigenous communities are represented in the decisions that shape their lives.

Miguel most recently served as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, where she led efforts to support education sovereignty, Indigenous language revitalization, and teacher retention. She previously served as Staff Director for the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States under Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva, helping advance historic legislation for Tribal Nations. Miguel is the CEO of O’odham Consulting, LLC, and holds a Master’s in Public Administration and Policy from American University.

She is an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. Miguel is running for the Arizona House of Representatives to address longstanding disparities in rural and tribal communities and to build a stronger future for District 23.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

JACOB ALLEN
he/him
Chickasaw
Office: Arkansas House of Representatives, District 10

Jacob Allen is a U.S. Army veteran, community leader, and emergency management professional committed to strengthening Arkansas families and communities. A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Allen served for more than 20 years in the Arkansas National Guard, retiring as a Major in 2025, and has spent more than 15 years in leadership roles at Walmart, where he currently works in emergency management.

Beyond his professional service, Allen is active in the Chickasaw Warrior Society, the Young Democrats of Arkansas Indigenous Caucus, and local Democratic organizations. He is also a youth baseball and softball coach, investing in the next generation both on and off the field.

Allen is running for the Arkansas House to expand opportunity for working families, strengthen relationships between Tribal and state governments, and ensure every community has a voice in shaping its future.

BUFFEY BOURASSA
she/her
Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians
Office: Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, District 3

Buffey Bourassa (Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians) was born and raised in Mendocino County, growing up on the Pinoleville Reservation and in town, where she developed deep roots in the community she now serves. She brings more than a decade of experience working across county systems and Tribal governance, with a focus on strengthening community wellbeing, accountability, and access to essential services.

Bourassa currently serves as the Restorative Justice Program Manager with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, leading initiatives focused on healing, accountability, and successful reentry. She has also worked in County Human Resources and Public Health, and has advocated for workers’ rights as a former SEIU Steward and member of the county negotiating team. A former three-term Tribal Council member for the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, she brings deep experience in Tribal leadership and federal engagement. She is an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. Bourassa is running for the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors to expand economic opportunity, address housing and cost of living challenges, improve public safety through community-based approaches, and ensure meaningful partnership with Tribal Nations across District 3.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

SHANNON WINGFIELD
she/her
Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation
Office: California State Assembly, District 68

Shannon Wingfield (Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation) is a Tribal leader, communications professional, and small business owner committed to advancing representation and equitable policy for Native communities. She is currently serving her second term on the Tribal Council of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation and brings a deep understanding of the challenges Tribal Nations face when they are not meaningfully included in decision-making processes.

Wingfield is the Senior Communications Manager at California Native Vote Project and the owner of a classic vehicle restoration business. She holds a degree in communications and journalism from St. John Fisher University and is currently pursuing a degree in Indigenous Peoples Law at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. She is an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. Wingfield is running for the California State Assembly to expand economic opportunity, address the housing crisis, invest in community-centered public safety, and ensure government-to-government respect for Tribal Nations and Indigenous self-determination across District 68.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

STEVEN ORIHUELA
he/him
Bishop Paiute Tribe
Office: Inyo County Board of Supervisors, District 3

Steven Orihuela (Bishop Paiute Tribe) served as Chairman of the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council, leading the governing body of a federally recognized tribe of approximately 2,300 enrolled members in California’s Eastern Sierra. During his time as Chairman, the Tribe progressed on major infrastructure projects, including a fiber optic network, an emergency operations facility, and the Wanaaha Hotel and Casino expansion. He now serves as a Councilmember, continuing his commitment to advancing the Tribe’s priorities and future growth.

Orihuela also serves on the Owens Valley Board of Trustees, the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission, and the Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair Board. Orihuela holds an MBA from the University of Arizona and a degree in environmental science from Fort Lewis College, and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School focused on tribal leadership and sustainable community investment. He is an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. Orihuela is running for the Inyo County Board of Supervisors to strengthen healthcare access, expand housing and infrastructure, and advance tribal sovereignty across District 3.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

CONSUELO REDHORSE
she/her
Navajo
Office: Colorado House of Representatives, District 13

Consuelo Redhorse (Navajo) is a lifelong Coloradan, small business professional, and current President of the Summit School District Board of Education. A mother of a high school senior, she brings a deep commitment to community, public service, and representation shaped by her experiences living and working in Colorado’s mountain and rural communities. Her leadership is grounded in accountability, relationship-building, and a belief that strong public systems are essential to thriving communities.

Redhorse has served on the Summit School District Board of Education since 2019, leading through the COVID-19 pandemic while working to strengthen governance, increase staff wages, and help secure housing for education professionals. Her career has been rooted in small businesses, including work as a licensed CPA specializing in nonprofit auditing and as an accountant in the housing sector, where she has seen firsthand how policy decisions impact working families. She is running for the Colorado House of Representatives to expand access to affordable housing, support small businesses, invest in public education, and ensure that rural and Tribal communities are represented in decisions that shape their futures.

TRISH CARTER-GOODHEART
she/her
Nez Perce
Office: Idaho House of Representatives, District 6A

Trish Carter-Goodheart (Nez Perce) is a community organizer, advocate, and mother of two who has dedicated her life to uplifting Indigenous communities and strengthening rural families. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to civil rights, community wellbeing, and ensuring that leadership reflects the lived realities and values of the people it serves.

Carter-Goodheart brings decades of experience in advocacy and public service, including 18 years on the board of the National Indian Child Welfare Association and her current role as Chair of the Native American Democratic Caucus of Idaho. She has also served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory Committee and the Idaho Drug and Mental Health Advisory Committee, and helped found the Lapwai Pride Celebration. Carter-Goodheart is running for the Idaho House of Representatives to expand access to healthcare, protect public lands, strengthen educational opportunity, and advance fair and representative systems for communities across District 6A.

ANTHONY TAMEZ-POCHEL
he/him
Sicangu Lakota | Key First Nations | Black
Office: U.S. House of Representatives IL-05

Anthony Tamez-Pochel (Sicangu Lakota, Key First Nations, Black) is an Afro-Indigenous activist and public servant, born and raised in Chicago. He is also an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. In 2023, he was elected to represent District 17 on the Chicago Police District Council, becoming the only current Native elected in Illinois. In that role, he works to promote accountability and incorporate the community’s voice into matters of public safety.

Anthony has a strong record of advocacy for Indigenous youth. He is an active member of Chi-Nations, a grassroots collective creating safe spaces for Native youth through art, activism, and education. He has supported several initiatives at the Center for Native American Youth, including the Youth Advisory Board, Champions for Change, and Democracy is Indigenous.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

APRIL FOURNIER
she/her
Navajo
Office: Maine House of Representatives, District 114

April Fournier is an organizer, elected leader, and advocate dedicated to strengthening civic participation and advancing Native leadership. She currently serves as Managing Director of Native Organizers Alliance, where she works with Native communities across the country to expand grassroots organizing, strengthen civic engagement, and elevate Tribal priorities.

Since 2020, Fournier has served as an at-large city councilor in Portland, Maine, becoming the first Native American woman elected to the office. In addition to her work in local government, she has spent her career building relationships, supporting communities, and helping leaders organize for lasting change.

Fournier is running for the Maine House of Representatives to bring her experience in local government, community engagement, and coalition building to the state legislature while continuing to advocate for working families and healthy, thriving communities.

MELISSA PERRON
she/her
Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Office: Michigan House of Representatives, District 107

Melissa Perron is a community advocate, educator, and mother of five committed to strengthening rural communities across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. An enrolled member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Perron has worked in local schools as a paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and state testing proctor while building grassroots solutions to challenges facing working families.

Perron is the founder of Families for Safe Staffing, a community advocacy organization working to address the staffing crisis within the Michigan Department of Corrections and support corrections officers, their families, and the communities they serve. Through her advocacy, she has built coalitions and elevated the voices of people too often left out of policy conversations.

Perron is running for the Michigan House to strengthen rural healthcare, public education, Tribal sovereignty, and opportunities for working families across Northern Michigan.

MARY KUNESH
she/her
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Office: Minnesota State Senate, District 39

Mary Kunesh is an educator, community leader, and longtime state legislator committed to strengthening Minnesota’s families and communities. A descendant of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Kunesh served two terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives before being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2020, where she currently serves as Assistant Majority Leader.

Before serving in the legislature, Kunesh spent more than 25 years as a public school educator. During her time in office, she has championed investments in education, Native communities, and working families, including helping establish Minnesota’s groundbreaking Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office. She was also a founding member of the Legislature’s Native American and People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucuses.

Kunesh is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that strengthen public education, support Tribal communities, and ensure Native voices are represented in state government.

JUSTICE HORN
he/him
Blackfeet Nation
Office: Jackson County Legislature, District 1 – At Large (MO)

Justice Horn is a community organizer and advocate working to bring accountability, equity, and representation to Jackson County, Missouri. He serves on multiple local boards and commissions, including the Jackson County Planning Commission, the LGBTQ Commission, and the City of Blue Springs’ Board of Adjustment, and is also active in grassroots movements such as Trans Act KC and Jobs with Justice.

Horn is also an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*.

His legislative priorities include expanding affordable housing, investing in public transportation, and creating workforce training programs that prepare residents for good-paying jobs.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

ERIN FARRIS-OLSEN
she/her and they/them
Brothertown Indian Nation
Office: Montana State Senate District 41

Erin Farris-Olsen is an attorney, nonprofit leader, and former Brothertown Indian Nation Tribal Council member committed to building a fairer, more resilient Montana. With career experience spanning law, watershed health, rural development, and legal aid, Farris-Olsen has consistently championed Native communities and rural working families.

A first-generation college graduate from Carroll College who went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Oregon, Farris-Olsen has led statewide legal services and nonprofit organizations, and most recently served as Communications Director for the Montana Senate before launching a consulting practice supporting Native-led and rural organizations.

Her priorities include lowering housing costs, expanding childcare access, protecting workers’ rights, defending public lands, and ensuring a strong, independent judiciary that puts people ahead of special interests.

THEDIS CROWE
she/her
Blackfeet Nation
Office: Montana House of Representatives, District 15

Thedis Crowe (Blackfeet Nation) is a current Montana State Representative and longtime public servant who was born in Browning and raised on Blackfeet land in northern Montana. With deep roots in her community and a background in land and resource management, she brings a lifelong commitment to stewardship, public service, and strengthening systems that support Tribal and rural communities.

Crowe was first elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 2024 and is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that support community wellbeing and access to essential services. She previously spent more than three decades in federal service, including roles with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where she worked as a conservationist, Tribal liaison, and superintendent for trust services. She holds degrees in Land Resource Sciences and Native American Studies from Montana State University and remains active in her family’s ranching operation near Heart Butte. Crowe is running to protect access to healthcare programs, support working families, and ensure that rural and Tribal communities are represented in decisions that shape their futures.

BRIAN WADSWORTH
he/him
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Office: Washoe County Commission, District 5

Brian Wadsworth (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) was born and raised in Wadsworth, Nevada, and now lives on Pyramid Lake Tribal land in Nixon. A dedicated community leader, he has served on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council and the Pyramid Lake Jr./Sr. High School Board of Education, with a focus on strengthening community wellbeing, education, and local governance.

Wadsworth is the Chief Operating Officer of Native Public Media and brings a strong background in business and nonprofit leadership, holding degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno and Gonzaga University. His service spans a range of community and regional organizations, including Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the Sacred Visions Pow Wow Committee, the Walker River Paiute Economic Development Authority, and the Prayer Horse Ride Board of Directors. He is an alum of Advance’s Native Leadership Institute (NLI)*. Wadsworth is running for the Washoe County Commission to strengthen local infrastructure, expand opportunity, and ensure that Tribal communities are represented in decisions that shape the future of District 5.

*For identification purposes only; NLI is a nonpartisan program.

CALVIN SANDOVAL
he/him
Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Fort Peck Tribes
Office: Nevada State Senate, District 20

Calvin Sandoval is a union pipefitter, community advocate, and proud third-generation union member dedicated to strengthening opportunities for working families. Sandoval has spent more than two decades in the pipe trades and understands firsthand the challenges facing Nevada’s workers and communities.

Sandoval has been active in Native community leadership, including serving on the board of the Las Vegas Indian Center. Throughout his career, he has championed good-paying jobs, worker protections, Tribal sovereignty, and stronger support for Native communities.

Sandoval is running for the Nevada State Senate to bring the perspective of working families to Carson City while advancing practical solutions that strengthen Nevada’s economy, support Tribal communities, and expand opportunity for future generations.

SHEA BACKUS
she/her
Cherokee Nation
Office: Nevada State Assembly, District 37

Shea Backus (Cherokee Nation) is a current Nevada State Assemblymember and attorney with a strong record of advancing policies that support education, economic opportunity, and Tribal communities. A third-generation Nevadan raised in Las Vegas, she brings a deep understanding of both urban and rural communities, shaped in part by time spent on her family’s ranch in Oklahoma. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to public service, accountability, and expanding access to opportunity.

As a legislator, Backus has served as Chair of the Revenue Committee and Vice Chair of Ways and Means, where she has helped secure significant investments in public education, including funding for a public school in a Tribal community. She has led efforts to strengthen teacher pipelines, support economic development, improve access to healthcare, and address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) crisis, including passing a state Indian Child Welfare Act. Backus is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that support working families, expand housing affordability, and ensure that Tribal communities are included in decisions that shape Nevada’s future.

CHARLOTTE LITTLE
she/her
San Felipe Pueblo
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 68

Charlotte Little is a state legislator, former Tribal administrator, small business owner, and public servant committed to strengthening New Mexico’s communities. An enrolled member of San Felipe Pueblo, Little is serving her second term in the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee and the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

Before joining the legislature, Little worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and held leadership roles with New Mexico Voices for Children, Emerge New Mexico, and the San Felipe Pueblo Health Board. During her time in office, she has championed legislation to expand access to healthcare, strengthen public safety, protect voting rights, and improve the lives of working families across New Mexico.

Little is running for re-election to continue advancing practical, community-centered solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen Tribal communities, and improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.

DEB HAALAND
she/her
Laguna Pueblo
Office: Governor of New Mexico

Deb Haaland is a visionary leader in environmental stewardship, social justice, and public service. A 35th-generation New Mexican, she has dedicated her life to uplifting communities and fighting for working families. If elected, she would become the first Native American woman to serve as a state governor in U.S. history.

As U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Haaland restored protections for sacred sites like Bears Ears, returned over 500,000 acres to Tribal trust, created the Missing and Murdered Unit within Bureau of Indian Affairs, and launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. In Congress, she distinguished herself as a powerful advocate for equity and sovereignty—co-sponsoring more bills than any other freshman legislator while championing women’s rights, climate action, voting rights, Native language preservation, and justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP).

A single mother who relied on programs like SNAP, Haaland’s lived experience drives her fight for economic justice—raising wages, expanding affordable housing, and creating better-paying jobs for working families.

DERRICK LENTE
he/him
Sandia Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 65

Derrick Lente is an attorney, entrepreneur, and state legislator with a longstanding commitment to strengthening Tribal communities and expanding opportunity across New Mexico. A member of Sandia Pueblo, Lente has represented House District 65 since 2017 and currently serves as Chair of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Before entering public office, Lente built one of the largest Native-owned staffing companies in the United States. During his time in the legislature, he has championed investments in education, economic development, Tribal communities, and public infrastructure, including helping secure a historic increase in education funding for New Mexico’s Tribal schools.

Lente is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that strengthen public education, support economic opportunity, protect Tribal lands and resources, and improve the quality of life for New Mexico families.

MICHELLE PAULENE ABEYTA
she/her
Navajo
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 69

Michelle Paulene Abeyta is a lawmaker, community leader, and state legislator dedicated to strengthening rural and Tribal communities across New Mexico. A citizen of the Navajo Nation, Abeyta has built her career around public service, serving on local school and nonprofit boards before being elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2024.

In the legislature, Abeyta serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee. During her first term, she helped secure funding for local infrastructure and championed legislation to strengthen protections for children and families while advocating for improved healthcare, education, and public safety.

Abeyta is running for re-election to continue ensuring that rural and Native communities have a strong voice in the New Mexico Legislature and to advance practical solutions that improve the lives of families across the state.

KAREN HOAK
she/her
Oneida Nation of the Thames
Office: New York State Assembly, District 149

Karen Hoak (Oneida Nation of the Thames) is a working mother and public servant with nearly two decades of experience in infrastructure and local government. Raised in Hamburg, New York, she grew up helping in her family’s restaurant, where she learned the value of hard work, community care, and showing up for others. Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to strengthening communities and ensuring that working families have the support they need to thrive.

Hoak currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of Highways for Erie County and previously served on the Hamburg Town Council, where she focused on practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, and improving local infrastructure. Her work spans community and civic leadership, including roles with the Hamburg Coalition for Equity and Inclusion, the Erie County Democratic Committee, and the American Public Works Association. Hoak is running for the New York State Assembly to expand access to affordable housing and healthcare, support workers and families, and invest in infrastructure that strengthens communities across District 149.

CHELSEY BRANHAM
she/them
Citizen of the Chickasaw Nation; descendant of the Cherokee Nation and Choctaw Nation
Office: Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 85

Chelsey Branham (Chickasaw Nation) is a lifelong Oklahoman, business owner, educator, and parent of two who has dedicated their career to building stronger communities and advancing opportunities for working families. Raised on a small family farm in Wellston, Branham brings a deep commitment to service, collaboration, and practical solutions grounded in the needs of their community.

Branham previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where they built bipartisan coalitions and advanced policies to strengthen economic opportunity, public safety, and partnerships with Tribal Nations. They relaunched the bipartisan Women’s Caucus and worked with the Native Caucus to advance legislation supporting the safety of Indigenous women. Their career spans economic development, nonprofit leadership, and education, including founding One Whole Village Consulting to support Tribes, small businesses, and community organizations, and teaching Indigenous history and policy as an adjunct professor. Branham is running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to expand economic opportunity, strengthen public education and healthcare access, and continue building effective partnerships that serve communities across District 85.

KRISTINA GABRIEL
she/her
Cherokee Nation
Office: Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 77

Kristina Gabriel (Cherokee Nation) is a community organizer, public health researcher, and advocate dedicated to improving health outcomes and expanding opportunity across Oklahoma and Indian Country. Her work is rooted in a commitment to integrity, accountability, and community-driven solutions, with a focus on addressing the systemic challenges that impact Indigenous and rural communities.

Gabriel brings a multidisciplinary background spanning public health, research, and grassroots organizing. She has conducted research focused on Indigenous health and food sovereignty, partnering with Tribal and community organizations to support culturally grounded, community-led approaches to care. Prior to her work in public health, she spent a decade organizing at the local level, advocating for expanded healthcare access and stronger community systems. Gabriel is running for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to address rising costs of living, expand access to affordable healthcare, and strengthen state-Tribal partnerships to better serve communities across District 77.

TAWNA SANCHEZ
she/her
Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizo
Office: Oregon House of Representatives, District 43

Tawna Sanchez is a state legislator, social worker, and community leader dedicated to strengthening families and advancing opportunity across Oregon. A member of the Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizo peoples, Sanchez has represented House District 43 since 2017 and serves as Co-Chair of the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means, helping oversee the state’s budget and investments.

Outside the legislature, Sanchez serves as Director of Family Services at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), where she has helped expand early childhood education, affordable housing, domestic violence services, and programs supporting Native youth, families, and elders. A longtime advocate for children and families, she has also helped raise 18 foster children and has spent decades working to strengthen child welfare and behavioral health systems.

Sanchez is running for re-election to continue advancing policies that strengthen Tribal sovereignty, expand access to behavioral health services, support working families, and build healthier communities across Oregon.

CHANDLER TORBETT
he/him
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Office: Washington House of Representatives, District 45, Position 2

Chandler Torbett is an attorney, public servant, and citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation committed to ensuring innovation and public policy work hand in hand to strengthen communities. The first person in his family to earn a law degree, Torbett began his legal career as a public defender before serving as General Counsel for his Tribe’s healthcare system.

Today, Torbett works as Corporate Counsel, advising on technology, privacy, and regulatory issues while also providing pro bono legal support to nonprofit organizations and community groups. His work has given him firsthand experience navigating the opportunities and challenges emerging technologies present for families, workers, and communities.

Torbett is running for the Washington House of Representatives to expand opportunity, strengthen public institutions, and ensure innovation serves the public good while protecting the rights and wellbeing of all Washingtonians.

CHRIS STEARNS
he/him
Navajo
Office: Washington House of Representatives, District 47, Position 2

Chris Stearns is an attorney, state legislator, and longtime advocate for Tribal Nations and underserved communities. A descendant of the Navajo Nation, Stearns serves as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Washington House of Representatives and has spent more than 30 years advancing Tribal sovereignty, healthcare access, economic opportunity, and public policy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Before joining the legislature, Stearns represented Tribal governments and Native organizations as an attorney and served as the first Director of Native American Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy. He has also served as Chair of the Washington State Gambling Commission, Auburn City Councilmember, and Vice-Chair of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators.

Stearns is running for re-election to continue strengthening Tribal-state partnerships, expanding access to healthcare, supporting economic opportunity, and building a more responsive government for all Washingtonians.

CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS
he/him
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Office: King County Assessor

Christopher Roberts (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) is a longtime public servant, educator, and local leader who has served on the Shoreline City Council since 2010, including two terms as mayor. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to public accountability, equitable governance, and strengthening trust between communities and local government.

Roberts holds a Ph.D. in public law from the University of Washington and has taught political science at North Seattle College and Centralia College. He co-founded the Local Indigenous Leaders group with the National League of Cities and has served in leadership roles across regional and national organizations, including the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Washington State Tribal Opioid and Fentanyl Taskforce. Roberts is running for King County Assessor to restore fairness and transparency to the office, expand access to property tax relief programs, and ensure that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities are able to access the support they are eligible for.

CLAUDIA KAUFFMAN
she/her
Nez Perce
Office: Washington State Senate, District 47

Claudia Kauffman is a state legislator and longtime advocate for children, families, and Tribal communities. A member of the Nez Perce Tribe, Kauffman made history as the first Native American woman elected to the Washington State Senate and has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities across South King County.

Before returning to the Senate in 2022, Kauffman worked for decades as an Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and built a strong record of public service and community leadership. She and her husband have also fostered ten children, an experience that has informed her lifelong advocacy for foster youth, education, healthcare, and equitable access to opportunity. Today, she serves as Chair of the Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Kauffman is running for re-election to continue strengthening Washington’s economy, supporting working families, and ensuring Tribal and local communities have a strong voice in state government.