Jamescita Peshlakai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamescita Peshlakai
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the Arizona Senate from the 7th district |
|
| In office January 9, 2017 – December 22, 2021 |
|
| Preceded by | Carlyle Begay |
| Succeeded by | Theresa Hatathlie |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 7th district |
|
| In office January 14, 2013 – January 2015 Serving with Albert Hale
|
|
| Preceded by | Phil Stago |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer D. Benally |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parent | Mae Peshlakai (mother) |
| Residence | Cameron, Arizona |
| Alma mater | Northern Arizona University |
| Website | http://www.peshforsenate.com |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1989–1997 |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War |
Jamescita Mae Peshlakai is a former politician from Arizona. She served in the Arizona State Senate from 2017 to 2021. Before that, she was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015. She is a member of the Navajo Nation. Peshlakai also served in the U.S. Army during the Persian Gulf War. Before her time in government, she helped Native American communities with farming.
Early Life and Education
Jamescita Peshlakai studied at Northern Arizona University. She earned her first degree in 1998. Later, in 2004, she completed her master's degree in educational psychology.
Peshlakai served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1997. She was part of the Persian Gulf War from 1990 to 1991. After leaving the Army, she became a leader for a group that helped the Navajo Nation with traditional farming. She also took part in protests against building projects near the San Francisco Peaks.
Political Career
Becoming a Politician
In 2012, Jamescita Peshlakai ran for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. She and another candidate, Albert Hale, won the primary election. They then won the general election without anyone running against them.
In 2014, Peshlakai tried to become a member of the Arizona State Senate. She lost in the primary election that year.
However, in 2016, the person who held the Senate seat decided not to run again. Jamescita Peshlakai ran for the Senate District 7 seat and won the primary election. She then won the general election because no one ran against her.
Peshlakai was re-elected to the state Senate in 2020. She was one of three Native American state senators re-elected that year. The others were Sally Ann Gonzales (Pascua Yaqui) and Victoria Steele (Seneca).
Time in Office
Peshlakai's district, Legislative District 7, covers a large area in northeast Arizona. This area includes most of Apache, Navajo, and Coconino counties. It also includes parts of Mohave, Gila, and Graham counties. The district is home to the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. Jamescita Peshlakai lives in Cameron, Arizona.
During her time as a senator, Peshlakai worked to get more money for Native American communities. She focused on improving things like roads and schools in her district. She also worked to get more funding for colleges like Diné College and Navajo Technical University. She left her position on December 22, 2021, to take a job with the U.S. Department of Interior.
