2024 General Election: Native Power on the Ballot

The latest report from Advance Native Political Leadership (ANPL), 2024 General Election: Native Power on the Ballot, developed in partnership with ICT News, highlights a historic year for Native representation at every level of government. 

With the 2025 elections on the horizon, ANPL reflects on what a record-setting year like 2024 means for the future, and how Native leaders are transforming politics and democracy by leading with Indigenous values.

At publication, ANPL has verified that 253 Native candidates across 25 states, representing 113 Tribal Nations, ran for office — the highest number Advance and ICT has recorded since they began tracking Native candidates.

Key Takeaways

• From local to federal races, Native leaders are reshaping what democracy looks like — carrying Indigenous values into elected and appointed offices.
• Native candidacies increased by 55% from 2022 to 2024. Of those who ran, 55% were incumbents — and 92% of incumbents won re-election.
• A majority of candidates were women, and 7% identified as LGBTQ+. 
• 36 non-incumbents won their races, expanding representation in districts where Native candidates had never been on the ballot before.