INDN’s List made history yesterday when 22 American Indian candidates from 11 states and 16 tribes won their state and local elections, including Denise Juneau (Three Affiliated Tribes) who is the first American Indian woman elected to statewide office in Montana, and only the third tribal member ever elected statewide.

Juneau is the Superintendent of Public Instruction-Elect in Montana, winning 50.68% of the vote, with 99% of precincts reporting.  Juneau and her staff attended INDN Campaign Camp in 2007, where she was trained on all aspects of campaigning.  Throughout the campaign, Juneau faced down anti-Indian rhetoric, and was the first Indian woman to run state wide and face anti-Indian scorn.

We only have 4 days left until a history-changing election, and we are proud to endorse 2 more candidates for this cycle!  We are certain Chris and Ed will be successful on Tuesday!

Chris Clark Deschene, a member of the Navajo Nation, is running for Arizona State Representative in Legislative District 2.  He is a dedicated and strong candidate -- we are proud to have helped with his campaign training when he traveled to Oklahoma in 2006 to attend our "From the Table to the Ticket" training!

Ed Iron Cloud, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is running for South Dakota House District 27.  He attended our campaign camp in California last year, and we believe he and Kevin Killer will win these two available seats on Tuesday!

We are so thrilled to announce our next round of endorsements for 2008 - five wonderful INDN women!  Running for state and local office in 4 states, and from 5 tribes, they will truly make a different this election cycle.

We have now endorsed 33 excellent INDN candidates for the 2008 cycle. You can read more about all of our endorsed candidates here.

Lena Fowler, a member of the Navajo Nation, is running for the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, District 5, in Arizona.  She is a life-long resident of Coconino County, and she has spent her life helping her community.  She won her primary at the beginning of this month, but she faces a general election this fall.  She needs our help to win!

We are thrilled to announce our next round of endorsements for 2008!  These candidates from 9 states and 11 tribes will certainly represent Indian Country well when they are elected in November.  We are excited to be able to support five candidates who we first endorsed in 2006.  They won then, and all of our candidates can win this year with your help!

You can read more about all of our endorsed candidates here.

We are thrilled to announce the victory of Representative Don Barlow in the Washington state primary yesterday!  In the new Washington Top 2 primary system, the top two primary winners, regardless of party preference, go on to the general election.  

Representative Barlow, although targeted by the Republican party, won with 47.95% of the vote against two Republicans and an Independent.  In November, he will face Republican Kevin Parker, who received 27.68% of the vote in the Top 2 Primary.

Our INDN's List intern, Pete Coser, Jr., has been selected to be a page for the convention.  He will be assisting the Democratic National Committee leadership with different tasks to ensure a wonderful event. Pete has been working with us since June and has helped our office immensely in political research and recruitment of Native American candidates.

Currently, Pete is attending the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa Campus, and is working to obtain his Masters of Human Relations. He is 1/2 Creek and 1/2 Choctaw, and is active among the traditional Native American community.   He is married to Rebekah and they have two sons, Jacob and Gunter.  Pete attributes his inspiration for politics to his wife, family, professors at OU, Councilwoman Cherrah Quiett, Wilbur "Chebon" Gouge, INDN's List, Oklahoma Representative Scott Bighorse, Montana Representative Jonathan Windy Boy, and Senator Barack Obama.

We are thrilled to announce the victories of two of our Oklahoma endorsed candidates in their July 29 primaries!  Judge Bob Murphy and Representative Anastasia Pittman were our only Oklahoma endorsed candidates who had primaries yesterday, and they both won heartily. 

Bob Murphy, a member of the Cherokee Nation, won with 63.5% of the vote.  We are excited he is the Democratic nominee for Senate District 21, and we know he will be successful in winning this open seat.  The Republicans are targeting this seat so they can take control of the State Senate, and we need Bob to win in November for Democrats to keep the majority!  We can help him be victorious with your support.