I grew up Navajo, from Tsa’yátóh, N.M., to Shiprock, N.M., from Montezuma Creek, Utah, to Gallup. My family has farmed, prayed, and worked these lands for generations. I’ve seen the struggles firsthand: broken roads, underfunded schools, healthcare out of reach, promises made in Santa Fe and Washington that never reached our people.
But I’ve also seen our resilience. I’ve seen families sacrifice so the next generation can dream bigger. I’ve seen young Navajos step into classrooms, council chambers, and campaigns determined to change the story. We are still here, and we are not done fighting for what we deserve.
That’s why I chose to work with Sam Bregman. Some people asked me why. Why would a young Navajo man commit his time and energy to this campaign? My answer is simple: because Native voices belong at the table where decisions are made — and Sam Bregman makes sure we are heard.
Sam listens. He shows up. He doesn’t just talk about Native issues during election season. He asks what we need and backs it up with action. That’s leadership. For far too long, Native communities have been used as talking points without real results. Sam is different. He believes in accountability, not empty promises.
I’m a senior at the University of New Mexico, studying Political Science and preparing for law school. I want to serve my people at the highest levels of government, and this campaign has been a step toward that dream. Working with Sam has shown me that our ideas, our culture, and our future matter in shaping New Mexico.
Representation matters. Too often, Native voices are missing when policy is written, and that silence has cost us. Infrastructure crumbles, water rights are overlooked, and rural healthcare continues to lag. By organizing, mobilizing, and standing alongside Sam, I’ve seen how Navajo concerns can be put at the center of state politics — not at the margins.
This is bigger than one campaign. It’s about building a future where Native students see themselves not just as voters, but as leaders. It’s about proving that a Navajo kid from Shiprock can step into statewide politics and make a difference. And it’s about ensuring that when decisions are made in Santa Fe, they reflect the voices of all New Mexicans: urban and rural, Native and non-Native alike.
Politics isn’t easy. It can be messy and even bruising. But change doesn’t come from staying on the sidelines. It comes from showing up, from speaking out, and from refusing to let our communities be ignored.
Sam Bregman is the kind of leader who shows up. And I’m proud to stand with him. Because when we fight for our future together — when Navajo voices are respected, not silenced — then we move New Mexico forward.
We are still here. And we’re not going anywhere.