"The conservative tidal wave that carried Republican candidates to victory across the nation on Nov. 2 appears to have swept away many Native American candidates as well.

Nowhere could that loss be seen more vividly than in the largely unsuccessful efforts of the Indigenous Democratic Network, or INDN’s List, to get Native candidates elected to state offices.

“Last night’s election results were devastating for Indian country,” said Kalyn Free, president and founder of INDN’s List. “In January, we will have far fewer Indians holding office than we do now.”

This fall, the grassroots political organization devoted to recruiting and electing Natives to local, state and national office endorsed 27 Indian candidates. Of those candidates, just 12 won their races Nov. 2, and all of them were incumbents. However, seven incumbent Native candidates endorsed by INDN’s List lost, while all eight Native candidate challengers lost their races.

Nationally, Native American-supported congressional candidates fared only slightly better, as Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska appeared to have kept her seat after a gutsy write-in campaign. However, Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin – though winning heavy Native support in South Dakota – lost her seat to Republican Kristi Noem."

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Editorial: Wins, losses and the work ahead (Indian Country Today 11/5)