List of Native American politicians

This is a list of Native American politicians in the United States. These are Native Americans who served in the federal, state, or municipal governments.

Native American identity is a complex and contested issue. The Bureau of Indian Affairs defines Native American as having American Indian or Alaska Native ancestry. Legally, being Native American is defined as being enrolled in a federally recognized tribe or Alaskan village. These entities establish their own membership rules, and they vary. Each must be understood independently. Ethnologically, factors such as culture, history, language, religion, and familial kinships can influence Native American identity.

All individuals on this list should have Native American ancestry. Historical figures might predate tribal enrollment practices and may be included based on reliable sources that document ethnological tribal membership. Any contemporary individuals should either be enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, or have cited Native American ancestry and be recognized as Native American by their respective tribes(s). Contemporary individuals who are not enrolled in a tribe but are documented as having tribal descent are listed as being "of descent" from a tribe.

For tribal leaders, please go to that tribe's article.

Arizona

 * Roberta Cano, (Navajo, Zuni Pueblo) Winslow Mayor (2021-present)

California

 * Tasha Cerda (Tohono O'odham Nation), Gardena Mayor (2017–present), City Council (2009–2013)
 * Todd Gloria (Tlingit-Haida), San Diego Mayor (2020–present; 2013–2014 (acting) ), San Diego City Councilman (2008–2016), San Diego City Council President (2012–2014)
 * Mitch O'Farrell (Wyandotte), Los Angeles City Councilman (2013-2022), President of the Los Angeles City Council (2022)

Idaho

 * William (Bill) Weems, (Coeur d'Alene) Plummer City Council (2012–2016) Mayor (2016–present)

Maine

 * April Fournier, (Navajo) Portland, Maine Portland City Council At-Large (2021-present)

Minnesota

 * Renee Van Nett, (Leech Lake Ojibwe) Duluth City Council

New Mexico

 * April J. Silversmith, Navajo Democrat (Gallup, NM Magistrate Judge )
 * Carol Bowman Muskett, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District I )
 * Genevieve Jackson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Commissioner District II )
 * Harriet K. Becenti, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Clerk )
 * Thommy Nelson, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Probate Judge )
 * Felix Begay, Navajo Democrat (McKinley County, NM Sheriff )
 * Earnest Becenti, Navajo Democrat (Mckinley County, NM County Treasurer )
 * GloJean Todacheene, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, NM Commissioner District I )

Oklahoma

 * John Tyler Hammons (b. 1988, Cherokee Nation), mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma (2008–2012)


 * David Holt (b. 1979, Osage Nation), mayor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2018-present)


 * Susan Bayro (Osage Nation), mayor of Pawhuska (2024-present)

Utah

 * Willie Grayeyes, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission
 * Kenneth Maryboy, Navajo Democrat (San Juan County, UT Commission )
 * Robin Troxell, Hopi Tribe of Arizona (Brigham City Councilmember)

Washington

 * Christopher Roberts, (b. 1978,) Choctaw Democrat, (Shoreline City Council (2010–present)
 * Roxanne Murphy, (Nooksack) Bellingham City Council [2012–2018]
 * Debora Juarez, (Blackfeet) Seattle City Council [2016–present]

Wisconsin

 * Wahsayah Whitebird, (b. 1991) Ojibwe Communist, City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin [2019-2021]
 * Kristie Goforth, (Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Monona City Council [2020–present]

Other offices

 * Diego Archuleta (1814 – 1884), Member of the Mexican Congress, soldier in the Mexican Army, in the Mexican–American War, Native American Agent by President Abraham Lincoln, and member of the Union Army (US Army) during the American Civil War. He was the first Hispanic Brigadier General.
 * Fleming Begaye Sr. (1921–2019) (Navajo) – Navajo Code Talker, Honorary Chair of the Native American Coalition of the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign, 2016.
 * Elias Cornelius Boudinot (1835–1890) (Cherokee) — Tribal Representative to the Confederate Congress, 1862–65. Represented the Cherokee Nation.
 * Samuel Benton Callahan (1833–1911) (Creek) — Tribal Representative to the Confederate Congress, 1864–65. Represented the Creek and Seminole nations.
 * Plenty Coups (1848–1932) (Crow) – Representative of Native Americans for the dedication of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier
 * Robert McDonald Jones (1808–1872) (Choctaw) — Tribal Representative to the Confederate Congress, 1863–65. Represented the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations.
 * Dana Loesch (born 1978) (Cherokee) — radio host, TV personality, former spokesperson for the National Rifle Association.
 * Peter MacDonald (born 1928) (Navajo) – Member of Richard Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP) in 1972.
 * Will Rogers (1879–1935, Cherokee), honorary mayor of Beverly Hills, California
 * Clarence L. Tinker (1887–1942) (Osage) – Major General, highest ranking Native American officer in the Army, Commander of the 7th Air Force in Hawaii, shot down and killed during the Battle of Midway.