November may be Native American Heritage Month but the underrepresentation of Native Americans in Congress is unlikely to change after Tuesday's election.
The United States Census Bureau finds that approximately 2.9% of the U.S. population claims to be at least partially American Indian/Alaska Native; however, Native Americans account for fewer than 1% of members of Congress.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Reps. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) are currently the only American Indians or Alaska Natives who hold a congressional office.
The percentage of Native Americans in the 118th Congress, .93%, marks a slight downturn from previous years. The 117th and 116th Congresses included 6, or 1.12%, American Indian/Alaska Native members.
With Peltola's 2024 race for reelection considered a toss-up and Davids' predicted as likely Democrat but holding the possibility of flipping Republican, according to The Cook Political Report, it is possible that the number of American Indian/Alaska Native members will decrease in 2025. However, it is also possible that the number increases, as two Native Americans are in competitive races with House incumbents: Yvette Herrell (R-N.M.) is in a toss-up race and Jonathan Nez (D-Ariz.) is in a likely GOP race that could flip.
Even if these four races are won by an American Indian/Alaska Native and the 119th Congress sees an increase in Native American members, the Native American population would still be underrepresented in Congress, with only 1.3% of members.
