#NativeVote18: Can Native Americans change US politics?

November’s midterm elections could be a pivotal moment in the United States. Not only could the balance of power in congress shift, but the representation of Native Americans in politics could grow significantly.

Representation is something Deb Haaland, Peggy Flanagan, Sharice Davids, and Joseph Blanchard take seriously. The candidates are part of a group of more than 100 indigenous politicians running for state or national office.

For Haaland and Davids the stakes are even higher. If elected, they would become the first Native American women to hold congressional office. Only a handful of Native American have served in congress — and all of them have been men.

For all four politicians the primary election season is crucial. Specific voting blocks, such as Native Americans, are better positioned to win because voter turnout is typically much lower in primaries. But that means getting out the vote, a difficult task given more than one million Native Americans have not registered.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Sharice Davids @sharicedavids
Democratic candidate, US Congress, Kansas, District 3
shariceforcongress.com

Peggy Flanagan @peggyflanagan
Democratic Candidate, Lieutenant Governor, Minnesota 
walzflanagan.org

Deb Haaland @Deb4CongressNM
Democratic Nominee, US Congress, New Mexico, District 1
debforcongress.com

Joseph Blanchard
Republican candidate, Oklahoma House, District 27
facebook.com/blanchardforhouse

Read more: 

There’s never been a Native American congresswoman. That could change in 2018. – The New York Times 
#NativeVote18: ‘100+ and growing’ Native candidates seeing early votes – Indian Country Today 

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.