TOPEKA, Nov 7 — Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids this morning became the first native American woman elected to Congress, defeating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder, US networks projected.

Davids, 38, is an attorney by training and a former mixed martial arts fighter.

She is also openly lesbian, in a state that is traditionally conservative.

Davids is one of a handful of Native American women looking to make history on Election Day. — AFP