Native Vote 2012

Navajo Congressional Candidate Benally Baldenegro Gets Machinists Endorsement

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

Wenona Benally Baldenegro

PHOENIX - Navajo Congressional candidate Wenona Benally Baldenegro continues to garner labor union support in her run in Arizona Congressional District One. Benally Baldenegro is honored to receive the endorsement of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW).

"We believe in Wenona's vision for the working families of Arizona and the rest of the country. IAMAW is proud to endorse Wenona Benally Baldenegro for Arizona Congressional District One,"

states Gary Bunten, President of the AMAW Arizona State Council.

With their endorsement, the IAMAW joins the United Steelworkers of America, and AFSCME #449, who have also endorsed Benally Baldenegro's campaign.

"There is currently an assault on the working families of America, and it is labor unions, such as these, that are on the frontline to defend workers' rights in Arizona, and across the country."

responded Benally Baldenegro.

"This is a critical time for Arizona and the nation. Our nation's working people and middle-class families need jobs and are calling for help. Our nation's seniors are under attack by Tea Party extremists' efforts to dismantle Medicare and Social Security. Meanwhile, instead of working to create good jobs and change the failed economic policies that have led us to this current crisis, the Republicans in Congress have only concerned themselves with partisan politics that include slashing funding to critical programs, restricting access to educational opportunities, and supporting anti-union and anti-worker policies that disadvantage working Americans,"

continued Benally Baldenegro.

"This is unacceptable. As Congresswoman for Arizona CD1, I will bring good jobs to our district, I will expand educational opportunities for our children, and I will absolutely protect Medicare and Social Security. Furthermore, I will work for solutions that help our working families and local and small business owners in this economic downturn while at the same time, protecting public health and the environment."

Benally Baldenegro's campaign is historic, in that she would be the first American Indian woman to ever serve in the U.S. Congress, and the first American Indian from Arizona to serve in Congress. She grew up in a single-parent household in Kayenta, Arizona, a rural town on the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona. Her humble upbringing taught her the value of perseverance and of hard work. Benally Baldenegro attended public schools in Kayenta, and went on to receive a law degree from Harvard Law School, as well as a Master Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to this, she completed her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University and was the first American Indian to graduate from ASU's Barrett Honors College.

For the past decade, Benally Baldenegro has worked with a broad base of advocacy groups, policymakers, and local nonprofit organizations to advocate for the interests of Arizona's rural communities, and to develop and finance small businesses, housing, and construction projects.

posted February 15, 2012 6:59 am est