Gertrude Lee is a Diné lawyer and politician who was appointed chief prosecutor of the Navajo Nation in 2016. By 2020, she was a senior trial attorney for the San Juan County district attorney's office.
Gertrude Lee | |
|---|---|
| Chief Prosecutor of the Navajo Nation | |
| In office November 2016 – before September 2020 | |
| Appointed by | Ethel Branch |
| Preceded by | Jaime High (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kirtland, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Citizenship | Navajo Nation United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Creighton University University of New Mexico |
Early life and education
editLee was born and raised in Kirtland, New Mexico and is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.[1][2] She graduated from Kirtland Central High School in 2002.[1] She completed a B.A. in political science from Creighton University.[2] Lee was influenced to pursue a legal career by her father, Calvin F. Lee, and her older brother, Calvin Lee Jr., who is also a lawyer.[2] Lee attended the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she earned a J.D. in 2009.[1]
Career
editLee is a licensed attorney in the state of New Mexico and a member of both the New Mexico Bar Association and the Navajo Nation Bar Association.[1] She began her legal career working for six and a half years with the 11th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Division 2, in Gallup, New Mexico.[1] Starting as an associate trial attorney, she advanced to the position of deputy district attorney.[1] While with the district attorney's office she prosecuted criminal cases.[1] She gained experience in a murder case under the mentorship of McKinley County district attorney Karl Gillson.[2]
In November 2016, at the age of 32, Lee was appointed as the chief prosecutor for the Navajo Nation by attorney general Ethel Branch.[1][2] She was sworn in by Window Rock district court judge Geraldine Benally.[1] As chief prosecutor, Lee became responsible for overseeing a staff of 35 employees across nine district offices throughout the Navajo Nation.[1] Her role included prosecuting individuals who violated the laws of the Navajo Nation Code and managing the tribe’s prosecutorial resources.[1] Lee succeeded Bernadine Martin, who had vacated the position 16 months prior.[1] During the interim period, deputy chief prosecutor Jaime High had served as acting chief prosecutor.[1] In November 2016, Lee outlined a strategy to recruit professionals to fill key positions and enhance the capacity of the Navajo Nation's justice system to handle its caseload.[2]
By September 2020, Lee was serving as a senior trial attorney for the San Juan County district attorney's office.[3] Lee announced her candidacy for the New Mexico Court of Appeals during the 2020 elections, running as a Republican.[3] Her campaign platform focused her perspective as a Navajo trial attorney from rural New Mexico.[3] She was a candidate for position 2 on the court of appeals for the role in 2022. Her candidacy was endorsed by the Albuquerque Police Officers' Association.[4]
Electoral history
editJudge Shammara Henderson ran for a term ending in 2024 after being appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on February 14, 2020.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shammara Henderson (incumbent) | 450,566 | 50.97% | |
| Republican | Gertrude Lee | 370,778 | 41.95% | |
| Libertarian | Stephen Curtis | 62,547 | 7.08% | |
| Total votes | 883,891 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Incumbent Judge Katherine Anne Wray was appointed on September 23, 2021, to a vacancy caused by the elevation of Judge Briana Zamora to the Supreme Court.[6] Judge Wray ran for reelection to a full 8-year term.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Katherine Anne Wray (incumbent) | 350,229 | 50.69% | |
| Republican | Gertrude Lee | 297,057 | 42.99% | |
| Libertarian | Stephen P. Curtis | 43,632 | 6.32% | |
| Total votes | 690,918 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Smith, Noel Lyn (November 1, 2016). "Navajo Nation names new chief prosecutor". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
- ^ a b c d e f Becenti, Arlyssa (2016-11-01). "New chief prosecutor wants to fill vacant positions". Navajo Times. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ a b c "Q&A: New Mexico Court of Appeals Position Two Candidate Gertrude Lee". Albuquerque Journal. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "Q&A: State Court of Appeals, position 2 candidate Gertrude Lee". Albuquerque Journal. 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "2020 General Election Results Statewide Summary". New Mexico Secretary of State.
- ^ "Gov. fills Court of Appeals vacancy". Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. September 23, 2021.
- ^ "2022 General New Mexico - Official Results". New Mexico Secretary of State.