Jamescita Peshlakai

Jamescita Peshlakai is a Democratic member of the Arizona State Senate, serving since 2017.She previously served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2013 until 2015. Peshlakai is a member of the Navajo Nation. She served in the Persian Gulf War. Before her legislative service, Peshlakai provided agricultural outreach to Native Americans on behalf of the USDA.

Peshlakai earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 1998 and her masters in educational psychology in 2004.

• 2016 Republican incumbent Carlyle Begay did not seek re-election in order to run for Congress. Peshlakai defeated Steven Begay in the Arizona State Senate District 7 Democratic Primary. Begay's wife, Candace Begody-Begay, sought the Republican nomination but was removed from the ballot, therefore Peshlakai won the general election unopposed.
• 2014 Peshlakai ran for the state senate and was defeated in the Democratic primary by incumbent Carlyle Begay who went on to defeat Kelly Gneiting (Americans Elect of Arizona) in the general election.
• 2012 Peshlakai and incumbent Albert Hale defeated Phil Stago in the Democratic primary on August 28, 2012. They were unopposed in the general election on November 6, 2012.