Mae, Jamescita Peshlakai launch joint bid for Arizona House in Legislative District 6
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Mae Peshlakai, right, and her daughter, Jamescita Peshlakai, pose for a portrait as they announce a joint bid for Arizona State House seats in Legislative District 6.
By Krista Allen
Navajo Times
PAGE – Mae and Jamescita Peshlakai are seeking Arizona State House seats in Legislative District 6, running together in what they describe as a first-of-its-kind mother-daughter bid.
Mae Peshlakai currently represents the district, one of the geographically largest in Arizona. Her daughter, Jamescita Peshlakai, previously served in both the Arizona House and Senate before working as tribal liaison for the U.S. Department of the Interior during the Biden Administration. In 2025, Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed her to the Arizona State Transportation Board.
Both candidates are running as Clean Elections participants in LD 6, which spans much of northern Arizona and includes multiple tribal nations, rural communities and several counties. They said the size of the district and the workload involved make a coordinated campaign practical.
Mae and Jamescita, who are Ta’neeszahnii from Cameron, Arizona, are seeking office as Democrats and say they are preparing to serve in what they hope will be a Democratic-led Legislature when lawmakers convene in 2027.
Mae is born for Bįįh Bitoodnii. Her maternal grandfather is ‘Áshįįhí and her paternal grandfather is Tsé Deeshgizhnii. Jamescita is born for Kinłichíi’nii. Her maternal grandfather is Bįįh Bitoodnii and her paternal grandfather is Tséńjíkiní.
To read the full article, please see the Jan. 8, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow