Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan could be nation’s first Indigenous woman to serve as governor

A November win for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would shake up political control in Minnesota – and it could spur the ascension of the country’s first Indigenous woman to a governor’s office.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is a member of the White Earth Nation and, as a longtime political organizer, helped train Walz to run for office almost two decades ago. In the years since, she has built up her policy chops as a school board member and state legislator.

Political allies credit Flanagan with driving efforts to bring tribal nations to the table in state conversations about government policies. They also say she’s had an important role in advancing laws that focus on children and families.

Her opponents, meanwhile, say the lieutenant governor has taken too liberal an approach to lawmaking in St. Paul and fault her – along with Walz – with the response to unrest following George Floyd’s murder.

Kelly Dittmar, research director for the Center for American Women and Politics, says Harris’ running mate pick could have ripple effects in Minnesota and elsewhere.

“This particular case in Minnesota, is just important in the sense that it does show the effects of Kamala's ascendance that have down-ballot and down-level effects on other women,” Dittmar said.

An early introduction and friendship between Walz and Flanagan

Flanagan, 44, is the highest-ranking Indigenous woman elected to an executive office in the nation. She grew up in Saint Louis Park, a suburb of Minneapolis, and attended the University of Minnesota graduating with degrees in American Indian studies and child psychology.

Shortly after, Flanagan won a seat on the Minneapolis Board of Education. She got involved in local Democratic