Sinema Celebrates Inauguration of Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis Following Historic Re-Election

Jan 22, 2024

Lewis enters fourth term, becoming longest serving Governor of the Gila River Indian Community

Lewis was Sinema’s guest at last year’s State of the Union and serves on Sinema’s Water Advisory Council

WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema delivered remarks at Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis’ Inauguration. The Governor – who Sinema has forged a long-standing, solutions-focused partnership with – enters his fourth term, becoming the longest serving Governor in the Gila River Indian Community’s history.

Sinema also congratulated Lt. Governor Regina Antone and all the newly-elected officials in attendance.

“Governor Lewis is a solutions-focused leader, who works tirelessly to deliver lasting results for the Gila River Indian Community. I’ve had the privilege of working with Governor Lewis for many years – and I’m proud to count him as a strong partner to get things done for our communities,” said Sinema. 

Last year, Governor Lewis attended the President’s State of the Union address as Sinema’s guest of honor.

Sinema and Governor Lewis have partnered for years on water and drought-related issues with a focus on delivering meaningful outcomes for the Arizonans they serve. The Arizona Republic named Governor Lewis one of 2023’s Arizonans Of The Year thanks to his contributions securing Arizona’s water future.

In 2022, Sinema launched her Water Advisory Council at the Hoover Dam – an assembly of Arizona water experts and key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds – to develop solutions in response to worsening drought conditions in the American West. Governor Lewis serves as an inaugural member of the Senator’s Water Advisory Council and provides key insights, advice, and guidance from a tribal perspective.

Governor Stephen Roe Lewis was re-elected to his fourth term in December 2023. Lewis was raised in Sacaton, “Gu-u-Ki”, on the Gila River Indian Community – his vision is to support a new generation of Community member agriculturalists with the goal of promoting and protecting the Community’s shudag (water) and agricultural development.