Denise Juneau’s Twitter profile ends with the proclamation that she is a “54th Generation Montanan,” a play on the tendency of Montana politicians to proudly claim the length of their native Montanan-ness. But Juneau is the only one of these politicians who can say she is the first Native American woman to run for Congress in Montana or any other state.

It’s the latest milestone for a woman who became the first Native American in the nation to win statewide office when she was first elected superintendent of public instruction in 2008.

Her candidacy may be historic, but for Juneau, political life runs in the family. Her mother, who currently serves as a member of Montana’s Senate, was passionate about educating voters and was vocal about civic life.

“She still carries around voter registration cards in her purse and pulls them out at inappropriate times,” Juneau said at an event at the University of Montana. “That was the household I grew up in — it was important to be civically engaged.”