INCUMBENT IS A RETIRED EDUCATOR
KIRTLAND – Sharon Clahchischilliage is a trailblazer, plain and simple. In a political area historically dominated by Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate, the Ivy League-educated Clahchischilliage is a long-time Republican and the first Navajo female elected to the District 4 House of Representatives post in the history of the New Mexico Legislature.
“I’m running again because there is a lot of unfinished business in District 4,” Clahchischilliage said. “I want to finish what has yet to be done.”
Clahchischilliage said the issue of utility infrastructure is big and important in District 4. Improvements to school-bus roads are a big issue, also, she said. The candidate noted that during bad weather periods, at places like Red River Valley, it can take up to two or three hours one way for school buses to reach their destinations.
“There’s a lot to be done with respect to quite a few things,” she said. “The quality of life of my constituents cannot be ignored. I am the best person and most qualified person to get things done.”
She said she doesn’t feel isolated as a Republican in a sea of area Democrats, noting that it is the Republicans who have a majority at the moment in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Her opponent in the June 7 primary is retired educator GloJean Todacheene of Shiprock, a Democrat who is also of Navajo descent.
First elected to the state legislature in 2013, Clahchischilliage was born and raised in Farmington. She graduated from Eastern New Mexico University and later from the University of Pennsylvania. She is one of six Navajo Republicans to ever serve the New Mexico Legislature.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
