SHIPROCK – You can call it one of the most educated area candidate fields for a New Mexico legislative seat in 2016. The fact that both candidates are Navajo, possess master’s degrees, and have achieved “firsts” throughout their professional careers is an accomplishment within itself.
Political newcomer GloJean Todacheene and incumbent Sharon Clahchischilliage are engaged in a campaign for the District 4 seat in the State House of Representatives.
“The state of New Mexico is facing droughts and fires, job losses and a need for job creation,” Todacheene, of Shiprock, said. “Environmental issues, out-of-state migration and a loss of funding from oil and gas industry are big issues in the state,” she said. “We need to use science to solve problems. Leadership is about encouraging citizens to achieve what they can with purpose, plans, and ethics.”
Todacheene, who was born in Ganado, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation, was the first Native American female to serve on the San Juan County Board of Commissioners (2007 - 2012). She also served the 21st Navajo Nation Council, where she was one of nine female delegates to serve on the former 88 council delegate system.
A Democrat, and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree recipient from the University of New Mexico, Todacheene’s political platform includes infrastructure improvements and to, generally, promulgate new laws to help elderly people, students, and society’s neglected.
Todacheene is a retired elementary school principal and recently held two fundraisers for her campaign, where she raised something in the neighborhood of $10,000, she said.
Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, and the incumbent running unopposed for another term in District 9, helped Todacheene organize one of the fundraisers and called Todacheene “a very formidable candidate who would be good for New Mexico.”
Todacheene is confident she can pull off a win in the June 7 primary against Clahchischilliage.
“When individuals believe in your abilities, experience, leadership, discipline and authenticity, they see you as a leader that they want to be their voice,” she said.
Interestingly, the candidate said the late Fred Rogers, of the hit TV show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, selected her as one of his heroes in a 12-minute Public Broadcasting Service segment in 1994.
District 4 includes San Juan County and goes as far south as Newcomb on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. The general election is Nov. 8.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
