John Pinto
John Pinto (December 15, 1924 – May 24, 2019)[1][2] was an Navajo politician.[3][4] He served as a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate from 1977 until his death in 2019.
John Pinto | |
---|---|
Member of the New Mexico Senate from the 3rd district | |
In office 1977 – May 24, 2019 | |
Succeeded by | Shannon Pinto |
Personal details | |
Born | Lupton, Arizona, U.S. | December 15, 1924
Died | May 24, 2019 94) Gallup, New Mexico, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Democratic |
Relations | Shannon Pinto (granddaughter) |
Education | University of New Mexico |
Occupation | Educator |
Early life
Pinto was born in Lupton, Arizona, in the Navajo Nation.[4] Pinto served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was a Navajo code talker.
Career
After leaving the military, Pinto was a teacher and organizer for the National Education Association.[4] Elected to the New Mexico Senate in 1977, Pinto represented the 3rd District, which includes the Four Corners-area and spans much of western San Juan County, as well as a portion of western McKinley County. Much of the district is made up of the Navajo Nation and includes Shiprock, Sheep Springs, and part of Gallup. At 94, he was the longest-serving member in the Senate.
Personal life
He died in Gallup, New Mexico, on May 24, 2019 at the age of 94.[5][6] He was succeeded in office by his granddaughter, Shannon Pinto.
References
- "Sen. John Pinto (D-NM)". CQRCengage.com. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
- "Sen. John Pinto (D-NM 3rd District)". Capwiz.com. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
- Linthicum, Leslie (February 25, 2007). "John Pinto Has Been a State Senator for 30 Years— and He Keeps Doing It Out of Love". Albuquerque Journal.
Pinto is 82, born on the Navajo reservation in 1924
- Unterburger, Amy L.; Delgado, Jane L. (1994). Who's who Among Hispanic Americans. Gale Research. ISBN 9780810385504. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
- "New Mexico Senator John Pinto passes away". KQRE-LP. May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- NM mourns long-time state senator John Pinto, The NM Political Report, Andy Lyman, May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.