Minnesota Democratic Senate nominee Peggy Flanagan is seeking donations by emphasizing the potential to become the first Native American woman in the U.S. Senate. Flanagan, who identifies as Ojibwe and a member of the White Earth Nation, stated in a fundraising email that there has never been a Native woman in the Senate and expressed her commitment to representing Native voices.
Flanagan's campaign has drawn attention to her endorsement from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who previously faced scrutiny over her claims of Native American ancestry. Warren has since clarified that she does not identify as a person of color or a citizen of a tribe.
The email prompted reactions on social media, with some users commenting on the implications of Warren's past claims. The Republican Party and conservative commentators also weighed in, referencing Warren's history of identifying as Native American and her genetic test results from 2018, which indicated a small percentage of Native American ancestry.
Neither Flanagan's campaign nor Warren's office responded to requests for comment regarding the situation.