Debate is heating up as the Navajo Nation prepares to elect a new president.

Incumbent Joe Shirley Jr. will face Lynda Lovejoy in November. Lovejoy is the first woman presidential candidate.

Some tribal members have already decided who will get their vote. Shirley Smith, 47, supports Shirley and likes his choice of running mate, Ben Shelly, a council delegate.

Calandra Wilson, 33, supports Lovejoy. She hopes Lovejoy will focus on the needs of off-reservation tribal members.

Others are undecided. Joe Jo Hewey, 40, voted for Frank Dayish Jr., the current vice president who ran on his own, and doesn't like Shirley or Lovejoy, whose running mate is Walter Phelps, the Native American liaison for Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Arizona).

Get the Story:
Issues, not running mates, will decide race (The Farmington Daily Times 8/17)
Lovejoy picks Phelps (The Gallup Independent 8/15)

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

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Navajo presidential candidates choose running mates (8/15)
Woman seeks to lead Navajo Nation for first time (8/10)
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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)
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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)
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