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Sharon E. Clahchischilliage (born 1947/1948) is an American politician and a former Republican member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 4 from 2013–2018. She was elected to the New Mexico Public Education Commission from District 5 in 2022. A citizen of the Navajo Nation, she is running for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the 2024 congressional election against Teresa Leger Fernandez.

Early life and education

Clahchischilliage was born into a Navajo family, the daughter of Eleanor and Herb Clah in Farmington, New Mexico, and is a member of the Navajo Nation. Clahchischilliage attended the University of New Mexico, earned her BS in education from Eastern New Mexico University, and earned her MA in social work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Clahchischilliage has had a variety of teaching and psychiatric social work experience, including as a special education teacher. Working on Indian and tribal health issues, including as Lieutenant, Commissioned Corps Officer, United States Public Health Service and for the Indian Health Service, Clahchischilliage became involved in large programs.

She entered politics when appointed as Tribal Affairs Officer, Children, Youth and Families (CYFD), Office of the Cabinet Secretary, The State of New Mexico. She has also served in top positions in the Navajo Nation (the largest federally-recognized tribe in the United States) as Acting Executive Director, Office of Government Development, Office of the Speaker, The Navajo Nation, 2010–present; and as Senior Programs/Projects Specialist, Division of Transportation, Navajo Nation. Her district includes part of West Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Personal life

She is married and has five children.

Elections

• 2012 To challenge District 4 incumbent Democratic Representative Ray Begaye, Clahchischilliage ran unopposed for the June 5, 2012 Republican Primary, winning with 958 votes and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 5,856 votes (61.4%) against Representative Begaye.
• 2002 To challenge incumbent Democratic Secretary of State of New Mexico Rebecca Vigil-Giron, Clahchischilliage was unopposed for the 2002 Republican Primary but lost the November 5, 2002 General election to Secretary Vigil-Giron.

References

1. ^ "Sharon Clahchischilliage's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
2. "Candidates for Navajo Nation president set for primary next week".
3. "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 5, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 7. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
4. "Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 6, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 5. Retrieved February 11, 2014.

External links

• Official page, New Mexico Legislature
• Campaign site
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Sharon E. Clahchischilliage, Ballotpedia
• Sharon E. Clahchischilliage, National Institute on Money in State Politics

• 1940s births
• 21st-century members of the New Mexico Legislature
• 21st-century American women politicians
• 21st-century Native American politicians
• 21st-century Native American women
• American women educators
• Candidates in the 2002 United States elections
• Eastern New Mexico University alumni
• Living people
• Members of the Navajo Nation Council
• Methodists from New Mexico
• Native American Christians
• Native American state legislators in New Mexico
• Native American women in politics
• Navajo Nation politicians
• New Mexico Republicans
• People from Farmington, New Mexico
• People from San Juan County, New Mexico
• Republican Party members of the New Mexico House of Representatives
• Schoolteachers from New Mexico
• University of New Mexico alumni
• University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice alumni
• Women state legislators in New Mexico
• Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections