Navajo Voters to Narrow Down List of Presidential Hopefuls

Today, Navajo Nation voters will decide which two out of a dozen hopefuls will contend for the presidency next year, according to an Associated Press story published on Aug. 2.

In the running are: Deputy Attorney General Harrison Tsosie; former state Rep. Daniel Peaches; Council Delegate Rex Lee Jim; Vice President Ben Shelly; Lynda Lovejoy, a New Mexico senator; Sharon Clahchischilliage, former director of the Navajo Nation Washington Office; Arbin Mitchell, who has worked for three separate Navajo presidents and now serves as the tribe's director of community development; Shiprock Chapter Vice President Donald Benally; mechanic Jerry Todacheene of Shiprock, N.M.; Salt River Project employee Dale Tsosie; George Herrera of Ojo Encino, N.M., who is running as a write-in candidate; and Anthony Begay, the youngest of the candidates at 37.

Current Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. had sought re-election to a third consecutive term, the AP article reported, however, the Navajo Nation elections office disqualified him, basing its decision on Navajo law that limits tribal presidents to two consecutive terms. The decision was upheld by the Navajo Supreme Court.

More than one-third of the Navajo Nation’s 300,000 members are registered to vote in the primary, and around 65 percent are expected to turnout today, the AP article said.