By Ernesto Londono

Peggy Flanagan: Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor Could Make History

By Ernesto Londoño

If elected, Flanagan would be the first Native American governor in the U.S.

Peggy Flanagan is making history. The 50th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, Flanagan is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and the highest-ranking Native American in the country. If she is elected governor in 2025, she would become the first Native American governor in the U.S.

Flanagan's journey to the lieutenant governor's office was not easy. She was born in 1979 on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. Her family was poor, and she often had to help out with chores on the farm.

Despite the challenges she faced, Flanagan excelled in school. She went on to earn undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and then obtained her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

After graduating from law school, Flanagan worked as a lawyer for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She also served as the executive director of the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center.

In 2018, Flanagan was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She served two terms in the House before being elected lieutenant governor in 2022.

As lieutenant governor, Flanagan has focused on issues such as education, healthcare, and economic development. She has also been a vocal advocate for Native American rights.

If Flanagan is elected governor in 2025, she would make history. She would be the first Native American governor in the U.S. and would inspire many Native Americans across the country.