The Native Voters Who Could Decide Control of the Senate
In political races that may end with the narrowest of victories, the nation’s Indigenous electorate is playing a key role
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Lumberton, North Carolina might not seem like the kind of place influential enough to sway one of the most important outcomes this election year. But in the state’s pivotal U.S. Senate race, the contest is casting light on a little-known but critical Native American swing vote: the Lumbees of Robeson County.
One of the most diverse electorates predictably voting Democrat, the Lumbees went red in favor of Donald Trump in 2016. This year, they may do it again, a choice that could result in voting down party lines in other key races, including one that determines control of the Senate.
“With us today are members of the incredible Lumbee Tribe which has been wrongly denied federal recognition for more than a century,” said President Trump to rally-goers in Lumberton, Saturday. He swept open his arm toward a bleacher full of men and women holding large “Lumbees for Trump” signs who cheered while someone pounded on a large drum.
