Navajo Nation presidential candidate Joe Shirley Jr., left, poses with a supporter and his running mate Buu Nygren. Photo: President Joe Shirley, Jr.

National | Politics

Complaints filed against Navajo Nation presidential candidates

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Complaints have been filed against the Navajo Nation presidential candidates by a former candidate, The Farmington Daily-Times reported.

Vincent H. Yazzie, who came in last in the August 28 primary, filed the complaints against Jonathan Nez and Joe Shirley, Jr., the paper said. Nez and Shirley were the top vote-getters in the primary.

But Yazzie claims Nez should be disqualified because he allegedly failed to list a DUI conviction from Arizona on his candidate application. The Daily-Times, however, said no records regarding Nez were found after asking the judicial system in Flagstaff for them.

Separately, Nez claims Shirley cannot run for president again because he already served two terms as president. But the Navajo Nation Office of Hearings and Appeals dismissed the complaint on Wednesday, the paper reported, stating that the tribe's two-term limit only applies to consecutive terms in office.

Navajo Nation presidential candidate Jonathan Nez, left, poses with a young tribal citizen and his running mate Myron Lizer. Photo: Jonathan Nez for Navajo Nation President

The general election takes place November 6. The winner will succeed President Russell Begaye, who came in fifth in the primary. He served one term in office.

Nez, who currently serves as vice president under Begaye, has selected Myron Lizer as his running mate. Lizer is the owner of a hardware store in Window Rock, Arizona, the tribe's capital, The Navajo Times reported.

“I feel we could change the way we do business as a nation, in the nation, out of the nation, and into the nation," Lizer told the paper. "We feel we can bring a lot to the table.”

Shirley's running mate is Buu Nygren, who also has a background in business, The Times reported.

“I think Joe and I, we’re going to make a good combination," Nygren told the paper. "I think it’s going to represent my generation, the young professionals, highly educated and the new generation that’s coming up.”

Nygren was selected after Shirley's original pick, Peter Deswood III, was found to be ineligible to hold office because he was an unregistered voter.