Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu becomes first Diné elected to Gallup City Council
Courtesy | Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu
Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu, the newly elected Gallup City Council member for District 2, will be the first Diné to serve in city office. She won with 60% of the vote in Tuesday’s municipal election, according to unofficial results.
WINDOW ROCK
Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu will become the first Diné to serve on the Gallup City Council after winning Tuesday’s municipal election in District 2 with 60% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.
Unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office show Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu receiving 561 votes to Michael W. Schaaf’s 370, with all 71 precincts reporting.
Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu is Bilagáana (Dutch) and born for Tó’aheedlíinii. Her maternal grandfather is Bilagáana and her paternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii.
“I’m just thrilled that so many people came out to vote. It shows that the people of Gallup are more engaged than ever in shaping our future as a community,” Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu said early Wednesday morning. “I would like to thank Lyndon Tsosie and Timaris Montaño for inspiring the people of Gallup and for their encouragement throughout the campaign.
“It’s truly been an honor to meet so many constituents and leaders that I didn’t know before,” she added. “I’m ready to get to work on building a stronger community for everyone, and I look forward to the connections that are yet to be made.”
Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu, a licensed clinical social worker, campaigned on improving infrastructure, housing and quality of life. She said her first priorities include reviving the Indian Hills Neighborhood Association, organizing with manufactured home parks to advocate for residents, and addressing behavioral health and homelessness through partnerships with local organizations.
According to the 2020 Census, more than 43% of Gallup residents are Native American.
She will be sworn in at the start of the next term in January 2026 and will be the only new member joining the council.
In the mayor’s race, unofficial results show Marc A. DePauli won decisively with 59% (2,453) of the vote, defeating Diné challengers Lyndon B. Tsosie and Timaris A. Montaño, who received 21% (893) and 20% (822), respectively.
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