‘Mr. Navajo’ running for SJ county clerk

CHINLE

Whatever you can say about the Navajo youth in New Mexico, you can’t accuse them of apathy.

Two years after Adam J. Begaye became the youngest-ever Central Consolidated School Board member at 20, two months after Felisha Adams declared her candidacy for state senate at 29, Zachariah George is hoping to become the youngest-ever San Juan County Clerk at 22.

George, better known to most as “Mr. Navajo” for his public speaking and singing gigs in the Navajo language, filed for office earlier this month. So far, he is the only Democrat in the race, and the only Navajo.

In a telephone interview, George said he felt like he had been “waiting for this moment all my life.”

“I’ve always been interested in politics, ever since I was a child,” said George, who is Kin Yaa’aanii born for Dzil Tl’ahnii. “I know some people say politics is dirty, but I don’t feel that way. It depends on who you are and what you make of it. For me it’s a way to help people.”

The candidate, who hails from tiny White Rock, N.M., said he chose the clerk’s office because he thought there should be a Democrat in the race and because it will give him a behind-the-scenes look at government and experience to run for higher office in the future.

“You’re responsible for all the birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses … all the important documents,” he said, adding that his command of Diné bizaad will enable him to help elders who come in trying to track down documents.

George said he plans to campaign the old-fashioned way: shaking hands and showing up at chapter houses.

“I think my knowledge of Diné bizaad will win me the election,” he stated.

George said he is already well known in San Juan County for his inspirational speaking gigs. He was hired to do outreach for President Ben Shelly, and later campaigned for him. He studied political science at the University of New Mexico.

Although George always thought he might like to run for office some day, surviving cancer last year brought some urgency to that goal.

“It really changed my outlook,” he said. “I learned that life is short and you can’t waste time going after what you want.”

He’s also tired of people saying the young should “wait their turn” to be in charge.

“We’re tired of waiting our turn,” he stated. “Our turn is now.”

George said he attended the state Democratic convention and asked people if they thought running for office was a wise idea at his age. He got nothing but support, he said.

“People actually thanked me for running,” he said. “I felt like I got a second family.”

He also asked the older politicos if being openly gay would be a detriment to his campaign.

“They said, ‘You’re still a human,’” George recalled. “‘It’s about your knowledge, experience and ideas, not your sexual preference.’”

Begaye, now 21, said it was “awesome” to hear of another millennial running for office, and had some advice for his fellow 20-something.

“Be strong,” he advised George. “There will be people who will not like the young ideas you have for the area, but that’s OK.”

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