Jamescita Peshlakai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamescita Peshlakai
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| Member of the Arizona Senate from the 7th district |
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| In office January 9, 2017 – December 22, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Carlyle Begay |
| Succeeded by | Theresa Hatathlie |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 7th district |
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| In office January 14, 2013 – January 2015 Serving with Albert Hale
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| Preceded by | Phil Stago |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer D. Benally |
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| 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 was a member of the Arizona State Senate from 2017 to 2021. Before that, she served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2013 to 2015.
Peshlakai is a member of the Navajo Nation. She also served in the United States Army during the Persian Gulf War. Before becoming a politician, she helped Native American farmers through the USDA.
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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 for eight years. She was a soldier from 1989 to 1997. During this time, she took part in the Persian Gulf War from 1990 to 1991. After leaving the Army, she worked to help the Navajo Nation. She led a group focused on traditional farming. She also joined protests to protect the San Francisco Peaks from new developments.
Political Career
Becoming a Lawmaker
In 2012, Jamescita Peshlakai first ran for office. She sought a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. She and Albert Hale won the Democratic primary election. A primary election helps a party choose its candidates. They then won the general election without anyone running against them.
In 2014, Peshlakai tried to become a state senator. She ran for the Arizona State Senate. However, she lost in the Democratic primary election.
Winning the Senate Seat
In 2016, the current senator, Carlyle Begay, decided not to run again. This opened up a spot in the state Senate. Peshlakai ran again and won the Democratic primary. No one ran against her in the general election. This meant she won the Senate seat without opposition.
Peshlakai was re-elected to the state Senate in 2020. She was one of three Native American women re-elected that year. The others were Sally Ann Gonzales and Victoria Steele.
Serving the Community
Peshlakai's district, Legislative District 7, is very large. It covers much of northeast Arizona. This area includes the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation. She lives in Cameron, Arizona, which is in her district.
As a senator, Peshlakai worked hard to get more money for her district. She focused on improving things like roads and schools. She also pushed for more funding for colleges like Diné College and Navajo Technical University. She left her position on December 22, 2021. She took a new job with the U.S. Department of Interior.
