Progressive Democrat Issue 96: A MESSAGE FROM KALYN FREE (Indigenous Democratic Network)

Kalyn Free, former Democratic Candidate for Congress, member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and founder of the Indigenous Democratic Network, has the following comments about the election from a Native American perpective:

At least 16 INDN candidates were victorious last night in their bids for seats in state legislatures across the nation, including six Indians who had never before been elected to public office. (One race in WA remains too close to call, while another in PA is separated by 19 votes and is going to a recount). Their victories will bring new Indian officials to eight.) INDN’s List supported 22 candidates in 10 states for the general election and we are proud to have helped elect dedicated public servants to office in seven states across the nation. That is a 76% win-record for last night and our first election cycle!

“Yesterday Americans cast their vote for change throughout this country,” said Kalyn Free. “We are so proud that our INDN candidates were a part of that message of change and their victories are an affirmation of our hard work over the past year.”

Without the help and support of you and all our supporters around the country, we could never have achieved the successes that we did. In races nationwide, you made the difference in electing Indians to public office.
INDN’s List contributed to several significant races. Claudia Kauffman and Carol Juneau became the first Indian women to be elected to their state senates in Washington and Montana, respectively. Like our other candidates, Claudia and Carol broke down barriers in their communities by showing they share the interests, ideas, and aspirations of all families across America. And in Oklahoma, INDN’s List added 5 more Indians to the state legislature, three in the house and two in the senate. Finally, in Pennsylvania our candidate Barbara McIlvaine Smith is behind by only 19 votes and the recount process has begun. A victory there will give Democrats control of the state house.

Candidates winning races last night are:

• Scott BigHorse, Sean Burrage, Chuck Hoskin, and John Sparks for seats in the Oklahoma legislature

• Norma Bixby and Carol Juneau for seats in the Montana State House and Senate respectively

• Albert Hale and Albert Tom for seats in the Arizona State Senate and House, respectively

• John McCoy and Claudia Kauffman for seats in the Washington legislature. Results in the Don Barlow election remain too close to call.

• Theresa Two Bulls and Thomas Van Norman for seats in the South Dakota State Senate and House, respectively

• Lyman Hoffman and Woodie Salmon for seats in the Alaska State Senate and House, respectively

• W. Patrick Goggles for the Wyoming State House

We are disappointed that not all of our candidates pulled through last night. Solomon Little Owl (CO), Ed Brownshield (ND), Jack Gordon (OK), and Phyllis Ray (OK) are shining examples of the growing leaders that INDN’s List will continue to support. Each has a bright future in public service and we look forward to their future success.

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