Lisa  Sacco  Hillary  Clinton
Lisa  Sacco  Hillary  Clinton

Tribal Member Elected Democratic Presidential Delegate

Jul 26, 2016

Akwesasne, NY — When the Democratic National Convention wraps-up later this week, a member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will have cast her vote for the Democratic Party’s candidate for the next President of the United States. Tribal member Lisa Sacco is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Philadelphia Convention Center after being elected as a Democratic Presidential Delegate for the 24th Congressional District.

“I was given a very unique opportunity and asked to run in the Presidential Primary to be a presidential delegate this year at the Democratic National Convention (DNC),” said Sacco. She noted, “I will be at the DNC as a Native American delegate and couldn’t be more proud to represent Indigenous people (as a Mohawk from the Iroquois Nation) from across the United States.”

Sacco was approached by the Hillary Clinton Campaign to run in New York's April 19th Presidential Primary as a Native American delegate. She did and out of the 12 candidates listed on the primary ballot for the 24th Congressional District, Sacco received the highest number of votes—more than the Auburn City Mayor, Syracuse City Councilor and an Oswego County Legislator. As a result, she is one of six congressional delegates representing Central New York at the Democratic National Convention.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council extended their congratulations to Lisa on her accomplishment and provided a $2,000 donation to support her efforts to be a voice for Native people in choosing the Democratic Party’s nominee for President. The donation will help with her hotel expenses; as well as travel, food and general expenses during her time at the convention.

Sacco’s mother is Theresa Sawatis (daughter of Alex Sawatis and Annie Jacobs) and currently resides in Syracuse, New York. Sacco serves as District Director for New York State Assemblywoman Pam Hunter (D-Syracuse), who was elected last year. Sacco previously worked as treasurer of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee.

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PHOTO CAPTION: Hillary Rodham Clinton poses with Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Member Lisa Sacco, Democratic Presidential Delegate for New York’s 24th Congressional District.

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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People. ­