Caroline Cochrane was first elected to the 18th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly in 2015 and re-elected to the 19th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly representing the constituency of Range Lake, before subsequently being elected as Premier of the Northwest Territories by her colleagues during the Territorial Leadership Council on October 24, 2019.

Shortly after global COVID-19 pandemic was declared, Premier Cochrane established, and became Minister responsible for the Government of the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat. The Secretariat has led the Government of the Northwest Territories’ pandemic response and coordination of the efforts to mitigate associated risks and impacts to residents.