Tina Abrams Elected First Female President of Seneca Nation
Tina Abrams became the first woman elected president of the Seneca Nation, establishing the first all-female executive branch in the nation's history.
The Seneca Nation elected Tina Abrams as its first female president on November 4, 2026, marking the first time a woman has held the office since the adoption of the nation's democratic Constitution in 1848. Abrams, who has served on the tribal council since 2001 and became the first female Council co-chair in 2012, won the election with 1,040 votes across the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories in Western New York.
Abrams will be sworn in on November 10 for a two-year term, replacing J.C. Seneca. Her victory creates the first all-female executive branch in the nation's history, as Lenith Waterman was elected Treasurer with 1,053 votes and Bethany Johnson was elected Clerk with 1,041 votes. While the Seneca Nation is a matrilineal society, women only gained the right to vote following a 1964 referendum and the right to hold office shortly thereafter.
Abrams stated that the victory was inspired by generations of Seneca women. She pledged to protect the nation's sovereignty and lead with strength, honesty, vision, and conviction, describing the responsibility as her charge.
