{"id":10144,"date":"2020-06-11T13:22:52","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T18:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/native-american-candidates-fare-well-in-montana-2020-primary\/"},"modified":"2020-06-11T13:22:52","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T18:22:52","slug":"native-american-candidates-fare-well-in-montana-2020-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/native-american-candidates-fare-well-in-montana-2020-primary\/","title":{"rendered":"Native American candidates fare well in Montana 2020 Primary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jason Small, Montana State Senator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

LAME DEER \u00a0Mont. \u2013 As the old political saw goes, \u201cHave a seat at the table or be part of the menu.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jason Small, Montana State Senator (Northern Cheyenne) and Chair of the State-Tribal Affairs Committee elaborated on that sentiment.\u00a0 \u201cIt is important for us as Natives to pick our own destiny. If we\u2019re not in control, someone else is.\u00a0 State government controls the purse strings to so many programs and opportunity for Tribes and our members.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I\u2019m glad to see so many tribal members wanting to participate at the State level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Native Americans comprise approximately 6% of the total Moana population, the Indian vote is often considered a \u201cswing\u201d vote in closely contested elections.\u00a0\u00a0 For years, especially the Democratic Party has invested considerable time, effort and money cultivating the Native vote through voter registration drives, get-out-the vote efforts and also cultivating Native candidates, now reflected by the fact that the majority of Natives elected to State office are Democrats.\u00a0 There are, however, some exceptions such as Jason Small, a Republican who is also the State-wide President of the Boilermaker\u2019s union.\u00a0 Small commented \u201cBi-partisan support is often essential to gain passage of legislation for tribal interests\u201d, specifically noting the Medicare Expansion Act, which he introduced, but was successful due to overwhelming Democratic support, in large part due to a very active Native Caucus at the Montana Legislature, supported by many non-Indian legislators who have tribal constituents.\u00a0 \u201cFor our numbers in the State, we have good representation at the Legislature,\u201d Small said.<\/p>\n

The importance of bi-partisan effort related to Indian Affairs was echoed by former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who started his decade\u2019s long political career as a State Legislator in Colorado, originally as a Democrat, but later switching parties.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOur DNA does not come stamped with Republican or Democrat. It says Native,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

In an interesting race, Northern Cheyenne Tribal President, Rynalea Whiteman Pena, sought and won the HD 41 seat, to represent the Rosebud County portion of the Reservation. Unopposed by a Republican candidate, it appears she has already won that seat, causing speculation that she may not seek another term as Tribal President, as it would be very difficult to simultaneously fill both offices at once.\u00a0 The new Montana Legislature, depending upon results of the General election, will not take office until after Jan. 1, 2021, coinciding with when a newly elected Tribal President would take office.\u00a0\u00a0 Pena has not yet issued a public statement.<\/p>\n

2020 Montana Native American Primary Winners:\u00a0 Senate District 16: \u00a0Mike Fox, Gros Ventre; Senate District 21:\u00a0 Rae Peppers, Crow & Jason Small, Northern Cheyenne;\u00a0\u00a0 House District: Marvin Weatherwax, Blackfeet;\u00a0 HD 16: Tyson Weatherwas; Blackfeet; HD 24 (Great Falls) Barbara Bessette, Chippewa; HD 31\u201d Frank Smith, Assiniboine Sioux; HD 32: Jonathon WindyBoy, Chippewa Cree;\u00a0 HD 41: Rynalea Whiteman Pena, Northern Cheyenne;\u00a0 HD 42: Sharon Stewart Peregoy, Crow; HD 50:\u00a0 (Billings) Jade Bahr, Northern Cheyenne; HD 76 (Butte) Donovan Hawk, Crow Creek Sioux and State Auditor, Shane Morigeau, Confederated Salish and Kootenai. Note: This list may not be complete as the Republican Party does not have readily available information about Native American candidates.<\/p>\n

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(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Jason Small, Montana State Senator LAME DEER \u00a0Mont. \u2013 As the old political saw goes, \u201cHave a seat at the table or be part of the menu.\u201d Jason Small, Montana State Senator (Northern Cheyenne) and Chair of the State-Tribal Affairs Committee elaborated on that sentiment.\u00a0 \u201cIt is important for us <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> June 11, 2020<\/p>\n

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