"Navajo Nation voters will choose between two very different presidential candidates this week. Joe Shirley Jr. is the incumbent, hoping to land a second four-year term. Lynda Lovejoy, the first woman to ever successfully earn her way onto the final Navajo presidential ballot, is trying to unseat Shirley.

Shirley also is backing the controversial Desert Rock Power Plant, which would be located near Burnham. Plant owners hope to begin construction in mid-summer and claim the 1,500-megawatt, coal-fired plant would create hundreds of permanent jobs to help boost the tribe's struggling economy. Millions in tax revenues would also come from the proposed plant.

Shirley, from Chinle, Ariz., was a Navajo Nation Council delegate for years before being voted into the president's office in 2002. Shirley, 58, is a major proponent of establishing casino-style gambling on the Navajo Nation. He believes gaming would generated more than $100 million a year in extra revenues for the financially troubled nation.

We commend Lovejoy for her passion and desire to make improvements throughout the Navajo Nation. We simply aren't convinced she can help make those improvements happen, given her lack of experience working in Window Rock. And, while Shirley has room to refine his political agenda, we believe he should be given four more years on the job. He seemingly wants to take the Navajo Nation to the next level of progress. Much needs to be done, and Shirley is the preferred choice to help lead the way.

The Daily Times endorses Joe Shirley Jr. for Navajo Nation president."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Shirley takes on Lovejoy for Navajo presidency (The Farmington Daily Times 11/5)

Relevant Links:
Joe Shirley Jr - http://www.reelectjoeshirleyjr.com
Lynda Lovejoy - http://www.lyndalovejoy.com
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org

Related Stories:
Navajo presidential contender confident as vote nears (11/3)
Navajo presidential candidates line up endorsements (11/2)
Navajo president freezes vice president's budget (11/1)
Q&A with candidates for Navajo Nation president (10/30)
Navajo women accuse Shirley staffer of racism (10/18)
Navajo president delivers last State of the Nation (10/17)
Navajo voters polled outside Wal-Mart in Gallup (10/12)
Navajo woman campaigns across reservation (10/10)
Navajo presidential candidates debate at ASU (10/4)
Navajo presidential candidates start slinging mud (09/13)
Navajo woman booted from rights-of-way meeting (09/01)
Navajos debate upcoming presidential election (08/17)
Navajo presidential candidates choose running mates (8/15)
Woman seeks to lead Navajo Nation for first time (8/10)
Navajo incumbent, woman win most votes in primary (8/9)
Navajo Nation head to polls for presidential primary (8/8)
Editorial: Get out and vote in Navajo Nation primary (8/7)
Navajo Nation presidential candidates attend forum (8/2)
Navajo president, vice president not speaking (8/1)
Navajo Nation man placed back on presidential ballot (07/11)
Navajo man seeks spot on presidential ballot (06/14)
Field of 10 shapes up for Navajo presidency (6/12)
Interview: Navajo president opposes vice president (05/11)
Navajo vice president launches presidential campaign (5/10)
Navajo vice president Dayish seeks higher office (04/26)
Navajo Nation President Shirley seeks re-election (03/17)
Bush takes photo with Navajo Nation vice president (08/27)