The Nov. 7 local election is fast approaching. Many new faces are running for the Gallup-McKinley County Schools school board, the county’s Soil and Water Conservation District, the Ramah Water and Sanitation Boards, and a few other seats. The Sun broke down some general information about each candidate to help with voting decisions.
GMCS SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
GMCS School Board Member Position 1:
Kevin Mitchell Mitchell is the incumbent member for the first district seat, which covers Chee Dodge Elementary, Navajo Elementary, Navajo Middle School, Navajo Pine High School, Tohatchi Elementary, Tohatchi Middle School, Tohatchi High School, and Twin Lakes Elementary. He is from Tohatchi, and can be reached at (505) 879-5017 and by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Leonard Notah Notah is running for the first district seat against Mitchell. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on his Facebook page, Vote Leonard Notah Gallup McKinley County School Board.
Genevieve Jackson The former County Commissioner is also running for a school board position. She is a previous board member and also tossed her hat in the ring for the Superintendent position back in 2009.
GMCS School Board Member Position 3:
Priscilla Benally Benally is the incumbent member for the third district seat, which covers Gallup Central High, Ramah Elementary, Ramah Middle/High School, Stagecoach Elementary, Thoreau Elementary, Thoreau Middle School, and Thoreau High School. She is from Thoreau, and can be reached at (505) 879-5014 and by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ZUNI PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATES
Three people are running for the same spot on the Zuni Public School District board.
Carleton Ray Bowekaty is the board’s current secretary. He is from Zuni and can be reached at (505) 495-4216 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Clayton D. Seoutewa can be reached at (505) 728-3064 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Valarie R. Bellson can be reached at (505) 495-8620 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
UNM ADVISORY BOARD AT LARGE
Four people are running a position on the University of New Mexico Advisory Board.
Rebecca Apel can be reached at (505) 870-6962 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jvanna L. Hanks II is the current Deputy Superintendent at Gallup-McKinley County Schools. She can be reached at (505) 870-0535 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Toni Pinedo can be reached at (505) 979-0385 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Raymond D. Calderon can be reached at (714) 614-0644 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
MCKINLEY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT SOIL AND WATER SUPERVISOR
Two people are running for a supervisor position on the McKinley Soil & Water Conservation District.
Herbert B. Mosher can be reached at (505) 870-5995 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Dudley D. Byerley can be reached at (505) 870-2535 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
RAMAH WATER AND SANITATION BOARD DIRECTOR
Three people are running for a supervisor position on the Ramah Water and Sanitation Board for the Director role.
Whitney Ina River can be reached at (928) 595-1512 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Michael Stuart Croley can be reached at (505) 677-1875 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Blanche E. Clawson can be reached at (505) 290-7425 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Another important item that will be on the ballot is the decision for Gallup residents on whether or not they want to join McKinley County and the rest of New Mexico and move their elections to March. Voters can choose whether or not they want to give the Gallup City Council a chance to vote on the matter.
Once voters voice their opinions, it will be up to the council to decide to adopt the ordinance that would put the change in place.
If those two steps are completed, the city’s elections for mayor and councilors will take place on the second November of every odd year.
Staff Reports
