Joe Shirley Jr., left, and his running mate, Dineh Benally. Photo from Facebook
The two candidates for president of the Navajo Nation continue to campaign for votes despite objections from other tribal leaders. Joe Shirley Jr. and Russell Begaye told The Farmington Daily Times they are ready for the April 21 election. Both said tribal member should be able to choose their next leader. "What we need to do is continue with the election," Shirley, a former president of the tribe, told the paper. "It needs to go on ... the people need to vote."
Russell Begaye, left, and his running mate, Jonathan Nez, put up a campaign sign. Photo from Facebook
Edison Wauneka, the executive director of the Navajo Election Administration, also said the April 21 vote is moving forward as planned. But President Ben Shelly and Navajo Nation Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates say they want to use the tribe's funds for an entirely different vote to determine the change the language fluency requirement for presidential candidates. The Navjao Nation Supreme Court has ordered the April 21 election but Shelly and Bates filed a petition for reconsideration. No rulings have been made on the request. Get the Story:
Navajo Nation presidential candidates agree election must continue (The Farmington Daily Times 4/2)
Shelly and Bates refuse to accept April 21 date for prez election (The Navajo Times 4/2)
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