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Trump, Jr. stumps in Shiprock Area Republicans turn out in force

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SHIPROCK — Donald Trump, Jr. is the only Republican or Democratic surrogate who stumped in Shiprock during the 2016 presidential campaign season.

Trump, Jr. appeared at the Shiprock Chapter House Nov. 4, and made a prior visit to the Piñon Hills Community Church in nearby Farmington. Shiprock is the northern most town on the Navajo Nation and one of the biggest towns within the 27,000-mile Navajo Nation.

“It was wonderful,” Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage, R-Kirtland, said. Clahchischillage, a rare Navajo Republican, won the District 4 race against political newcomer GloJean Todacheene of Shiprock. “The turnout was incredible. There were people from all political persuasions who attended.”

Trump, Jr. described his father to a standing-room-only Chapter House crowd as being “outside the system, but willing to take the abuse that comes with the office.” Trump, Jr., Clahchischilliage said, talked about the American dream and how it’s important that the American dream be preserved for future generations.

“I was in agreement with what he said about infrastructure and education,” Clahchischilliage said. “He also spoke a little about the power plants in San Juan County and I was in agreement with him on those subjects, too.”

Clahchischiliage and former Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly presented Trump, Jr. with a turquoise necklace, and Shiprock Central Consolidated School District Board Vice President Adam Begaye presented Trump, Jr. with a Navajo rug.

“The turnout and enthusiasm for Donald Trump’s rallies in Farmington and Shiprock were both fantastic and emblematic of the strength of Trump’s support in New Mexico,” Tucker Keene, spokesman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said in a written statement. “The polls are tightening in our state because Donald Trump’s message is resonating with voters in every corner of New Mexico. Hillary Clinton is taking New Mexico’s voters for granted, and this sixth visit from the Trump campaign shows that only Republicans are working to earn the support of New Mexican voters.”

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

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