Democrats made history in 2020 when they elected Kamala Harris to be the first Black female Vice President, and they're poised to make even more history by electing her President in November.
And now that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been tapped as her running mate, Kamala Harris won't just make HERstory as President, but she'll also be creating other historic firsts while she does it.
First up: America's first female Native American governor.
Meet Minnesota Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe. Flanagan is already the highest-ranking Indigenous woman currently serving in an elected office, and the first to lead the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association.
Flanagan is poised to become the state's first female and Native governor as soon as Tim Walz resigns, which he can either do immediately or wait until November, because he's not up for re-election.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, the president of the state's Senate would then become the state’s lieutenant governor. The state Senate is currently tied 33-33 pending a November special election to replace former state Sen. Kelly Morrison, who is running for Congress. If Democrats retain control, Senate President Bobby Joe Champion would become Minnesota’s first Black lieutenant governor.
Democrats have the deepest bench. What a wonderful problem to have.
Flanagan's time in office with Walz has been marked by stellar advancements for their state, and her policies will continue as she would remain in the role through 2026.
She also co-chairs the Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota, which created a Young Woman’s Cabinet to train members in leadership and as policy advocates.
“I couldn’t have ever imagined being able to see elected leaders who look like me. And for my daughter, this is simply her reality,” Flanagan told The 19th. When young people see themselves reflected in these roles, she said, “That is how we build a strong organization. That is how we build a strong party.”