Tricia Zunker, a citizen of the
Ho-Chunk Nation, is on her way to repeating history by
winning election to the U.S. Congress.
Zunker, a school leader who serves as an associate justice on the Ho-Chunk Nation Supreme Court, won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional district on Tuesday. She secured a whopping 88 percent of the vote, Madison365 reported.
"We did it! Thank you for your support!" a
post on Zunker's campaign page on social media read. Her campaign slogan -- bringing a "big voice" to Washington -- comes from
Hochungra, which means "People with the big voice" in the Ho-Chunk language.
Zunker now faces Republican Tom Tiffany, a state lawmaker who won his primary on Tuesday, in the general election. The vote takes place on May 12.
Should Zunker win, she would become only the third Native woman in history to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. The first two are
Sharice Davids, who incidentally is also a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, and
Deb Haaland, who hails from the
Pueblo of Laguna
Davids and Haaland took office in January 2019. Davids
represents the 4th Congressional district in Kansas. Haaland
represents New Mexico's 1st district.
Wisconsin's 7th Congressional district seat is open due to the resignation of Sean Duffy, a Republican. The winner of the general election will serve out the remainder of his term.
The unusual schedule means voters in the district will return to the polls in November to elect a full-term representative.
Read More on the Story
Ho-Chunk Supreme Court Justice Tricia Zunker Overwhelmingly Wins Congressional Primary
(Madison365 February 18, 2020)
Tiffany, Zunker Advance in Congressional Special Election (WDIO February 18, 2020)
Tricia Zunker wins Democratic primary for 7th Congressional District
(WQOW February 18, 2020)
Senator, school leader win Wisconsin congressional primary
(The Associated Press February 18, 2020)
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