It has been an honor to be campaigning along with these women (including Terra Houska who is not pictured). Thank you to the West Boulevard Association for hosting another forum for the candidates. Your vote is your voice! #VoteWithHeart pic.twitter.com/BOhjVCxjKe
— Cante Heart (@HeartCante) May 22, 2019

National | Politics

Native candidates come up short after historic campaign in South Dakota

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Five Native women made history by seeking public office in Rapid City, South Dakota, though none won their seats in an election on Tuesday.

For mayor, Natalie Stites Means was defeated by incumbent Steve Allender. She secured 25 percent of the vote to Allender's 75 percent, according to the unofficial results.

Additionally, four Native women ran for seats on the city council. In Ward 1, Terra Houska won 23 percent of the, Ramona Herrington won 46 percent in Ward 2, Stephanie Savoy won 16 percent in Ward 3 and Cante Heart won 28 percent in Ward 5.

All five candidates were running for office for the first time. Despite the city's large Native population -- about 11 percent of the total -- there are no Native representatives in local government.

"This is just the beginning Rapid City!" Whitney Rencountre wrote in a social media post shared by Stites Means on Wednesday. "Our Lakota/Dakota women (Natalie, Ramona, Stephanie, Cante & Terra), who ran for City Council, have ignited and inspired our community of what is possible for our future! They may not have been elected this time, but I know our people will continue to earn leadership roles in our community!"