Several Native candidates are advancing to Minnesota’s November general election following the Aug. 11th primary, with Indigenous candidates appearing in races ranging from local government and school boards to the Minnesota Legislature and the U.S. Senate.
According to election coverage from ICT, nearly a dozen Native candidates were running for office across Minnesota on Tuesday. Among the biggest results of the night was Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan of White Earth Nation winning the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary for U.S. Senate.
The Associated Press called the race for Flanagan late Tuesday night, advancing her to the Nov. 3 general election. She is seeking the Senate seat vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
Flanagan will face Republican nominee Michele Tafoya in November.
Native candidates advance in local races
Audrey Thayer of the White Earth Nation advanced through the primary for the Bemidji City Council At-Large seat.
ICT reported that Thayer finished just 68 votes behind the first-place finisher. Because the top two candidates advance, Thayer will appear on the ballot in the November general election.
In Cloquet, Sheila Lamb, of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cherokee, also advanced in the mayoral race. Lamb was one of three candidates in Tuesday’s primary and will move on to the general election.
Geri Lopez of the White Earth Nation was unsuccessful in her bid for the Mahnomen County Commission.
Three Red Lake Nation citizens – Chris Jourdain, Deanna Lasley and Nicole Desjarlait – were also candidates for At-Large positions on the Red Lake School Board. ICT had not yet reported final results for those races in its latest election update.
Native candidates move forward in state races
Several Native candidates for state office were uncontested in their respective primaries and will appear on the November ballot.
Steve Green of the White Earth Nation won an uncontested Republican primary for Minnesota Senate District 2. Green will face Democrat Dan Rogers and Calvin Larson Jr. in the general election.
Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski, of the Grand Portage and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Mexicana, won an uncontested Democratic primary for Minnesota House District 8B. Kozlowski will face Republican Shawn Savela in November.
Mary Kunesh-Podein of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won an uncontested Democratic primary for Minnesota Senate District 39. She will face Republican Pam Wolf and Green Party candidate Ngone Saliou Niang in the general election.
Jeannice Reding of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community won an uncontested, nonpartisan primary for Position 57 on the Minnesota Fourth Judicial District Court. Reding is the sole candidate on the November ballot for the position.
Shelley Buck of the Prairie Island Indian Community is also set to appear on the November ballot for Minnesota House District 47A.
Heather Keeler, a former Minnesota state representative and a citizen of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, entered the race for Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District but withdrew before the primary.
Flanagan moves one step closer to historic Senate bid
Flanagan’s Tuesday victory places one of Minnesota’s most prominent Native elected officials on the ballot for one of the state’s two U.S. Senate seats.
ICT reported from Flanagan’s election-night watch party in Minneapolis as results came in on Tuesday. Flanagan maintained a lead over U.S. Rep. Angie Craig as ballots were counted, and the Associated Press ultimately called the race for her.
During her victory speech, Flanagan acknowledged supporters throughout Indian Country and told the crowd, “We are not done yet.”
The primary also highlighted Native voter participation and representation across Minnesota. Indigenous candidates ran for office at the federal, state, county, municipal, and school board levels this election cycle.
Minnesota voters will return to the polls for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Source: ICT, “Election live updates: Minnesota, Wisconsin primaries,” Aug. 11-12, 2026.
Read ICT’s full Minnesota and Wisconsin primary election coverage
