Sweeney attended Cornell University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and labor relations in 1998.

[citation needed] In October 2013, Sweeney started a one-year term as co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives.

[6] In 2003, Sweeney joined the cabinet of Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski as Special Assistant for Rural Affairs and Education.

She said that the Democratic Senate majority "feverishly worked on an agenda that stifled growth and economic opportunities in Alaska".

[7] In October 2017, Sweeney was nominated by President Donald Trump as assistant secretary for Indian affairs.

[9] During her confirmation hearing, she pledged to recuse herself from issues involving the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.

She had proposed that federal stimulus funds earmarked for tribal governments should also be available to the for-profit Alaska Native-owned corporations.

In June 2021, it reversed the lower court's decision, ruling that the 12 Alaska Native Regional Corporations were eligible for the CARES Act funding along with the tribes.

[15] Iris Samuels of The Anchorage Daily News described her as running, "on a pro-development, socially moderate platform, saying she supports abortion access."

[15][20] Believing that her weak finish indicated a lack of a viable path to victory in the general election and citing fundraising difficulties, Sweeney soon ended her candidacy.