{
  "id": 7183219,
  "title": "Dems' primary plan gives Native Americans more power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/dems-primary-plan-gives-native-americans-more-power",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-13T21:45:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Axios",
    "slug": "axios",
    "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/09/13/democrats-2028-primary-native-americans"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2028 Democratic primary race could significantly impact Native American voters for the first time, with New Mexico being a key battleground state. New Mexico holds the 3rd largest share of American Indian or Alaska Native people in the nation, and it includes 23 federally recognized tribes. The early primary date in New Mexico on Feb. 15, 2028, means that Native Americans, who make up about 12% of the state, could wield unprecedented influence in the presidential nomination process.\n\nDeb Haaland, the former U.S. interior secretary, explained that Native Americans could be a major factor in determining the nominee. Native leaders and their allies believe that presidential candidates will need to engage closely with tribal governments, addressing issues like tribal sovereignty, land and water rights, and rural infrastructure. Several potential candidates are already adjusting their strategies to learn more about Native voters and tribal dynamics.\n\nKey governors and senators, including Illinois' JB Pritzker and New Jersey's Cory Booker, have expressed their desire to learn more about tribal leadership. Haaland, who is running for governor of New Mexico this year, is also being courted by potential presidential candidates. She met with Booker and is set to rally with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.\n\nHaaland remains cautious about endorsing a candidate, stating, \"I would wait to see.\" Democrats hope that by putting New Mexico early in the primary lineup, they can better connect with Native American voters and potentially reverse the trend of this demographic shifting towards other parties in recent elections.",
  "summary": "The 2028 race for the White House will give new political clout to a long-overlooked constituency: Native American voters. Driving the news: New Mexico now holds an influential early spot as one of the first states to vote in the Democratic primary — on Feb. 15, 2028. That's put Native Americans , who make up about 12% of the state, in position to wield more influence in the presidential race…",
  "key_points": [
    "New Mexico, with 12% Native American population, crucial in 2028 Democratic primary.",
    "Native Americans could wield unprecedented influence due to Feb. 15 primary date.",
    "Presidential candidates to engage closely with tribal governments on sovereignty and rights."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}