Are there any notable Native American politicians?

[Blue3]

Does anyone know if there are any Native American politicians in the U.S. that look like they could have a future, making it to Governor or House/Senate?

[Sol]

I think a couple of Oklahoma Representatives have native American ancestry.

[Blue3]

I know Hoover's VP was 3/4 Native American, but aside from him, I don't know of any politician with notable Native American ancestry (nevermind someone who's a politician now, or someone who might actually have a future).

[Indy Texas 🇺🇦🇵🇸]

There's no need to make jokes about Elizabeth Warren.

But in all seriousness, you could pick out a blond, ruddy-faced good ol' boy named Smith or Jones in any small town in Oklahoma and he'd probably tell you his great-grandmother was Cherokee or something like that.

[muon2]

CO Sen Ben Nighthorse Campbell (1993-2005) comes to mind. He currently serves as one of the Council of Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) has been in the news a lot.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Here's a good list, and there's a sub-category included that has more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Native_American_politicians

[Miles]

Denise Juneau, the MT Superintendent of Public Education.

[Zioneer]

There was Larry EchoHawk, who was a Mormon as well.

[© tweed]

There was Larry EchoHawk, who was a Mormon as well.

talk about Stockholm Syndrome, geez

[Paul Kemp]

CO Sen Ben Nighthorse Campbell (1993-2005) comes to mind. He currently serves as one of the Council of Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne.

It's amazing that it took four posts for Nighthorse to get a mention. How quickly they forget...

[minionofmidas]

He asked for Native American politicians, not for politicians with some Native American ancestry. (Okay, so 50% in Campbell's case, but he's much the highwater mark here.)

There are, of course, Native state reps in all the states with enough Natives and small enough legislatures to force VRA districts. There have been a couple¹ Native candidates in Dem US House primaries in competitive-or-better seats that were in with a shot.

¹ "Couple" as in "two" (that I can think of off the top of my head): Benny Shendo jr, Jemez, NM-3 2008, and Derrick Watchman, Navajo, AZ-1 2002. Watchman is currently CEO of the Navajo Native Gaming Enterprise. Shendo primaried a Navajo woman to be elected to the NM State Senate in 2012.

[memphis]

I believe the Constitution requires all Presidents to be native Americans

[minionofmidas]

I believe the Constitution requires all Presidents to be native Americans

No. You're thinking of natural born. That's not the same thing even under the definition of "native" you're using here.

[Zioneer]

There was Larry EchoHawk, who was a Mormon as well.

talk about Stockholm Syndrome, geez

No, political Stockholm Syndrome would be Mia Love.

[Maxwell]

Tom Cole from Oklahoma is the only registered Native American in the Congress. (Chickasaw Nation)

[Indy Texas 🇺🇦🇵🇸]

He asked for Native American politicians, not for politicians with some Native American ancestry. (Okay, so 50% in Campbell's case, but he's much the highwater mark here.)

If >50% Native American blood is your test criteria, even most of the people living on reservations wouldn't meet that qualification.