Sharice Davids Prevails in Kansas Democratic Primary, Could Become First Native American Woman in Congress

Last month, we wrote about Deb Haaland, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna who won the nomination to run for Congress in New Mexico’s first Congressional district. After her victory, Indian country and national news was abuzz about her potential to become the first Native American woman to serve in the federal legislature.

Now, she may have company after Sharice Davids, a 37-year old attorney and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, defeated five other candidates vying for the nomination in Kansas’ third Congressional district. The district is currently held by four-term Rep. Kevin Yoder, who has handily won each of his previous elections, but this year may shape up to be different. According to the Cook Political Report, one of the leading handicappers of Congressional races, the race was recently moved to a tossup.

Davids has a unique background. She attended Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas before graduating from Johnson County Community College and later the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She went on to earn a law degree from Cornell Law School.

She is highly trained in martial arts and has competed as both an amateur and professional MMA fighter. During 2016 and 2017, she was one of 16 applicants selected to participate in the prestigious White House Fellowship program. She is also a nationally-recognized expert on economic and community development in Native communities.