Navajos tab 2 veteran pols in president race

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Voters on the country’s largest American Indian reservation have advanced two seasoned politicians vying for the presidency to the general election.

Current Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez and former tribal President Joe Shirley Jr. were the top two finishers in Tuesday’s primary election. They will face off in the November general election.

Unofficial results from all precincts showed Nez led the field of 18 presidential hopefuls with more than 14,100 votes. Shirley followed with about half the number of votes. Tribal lawmaker Tom Chee came in third.

Both Nez and Shirley say they want to improve the economy on the vast reservation that stretches into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.

Nez has made health and the well-being of Navajos a focus of his campaign. Shirley says he’ll rely on teamwork to combat poverty and other issues.

More than 93,000 Navajos were registered to vote in the primary. The top two candidates move on to the November general election.

Candidates have spent the past few days campaigning on the radio, in tribal communities and on social media.

The field included seasoned politicians who touted experience and newcomers who challenged the status quo.

Improving on an unemployment rate that hovers around 50 percent on the reservation and ensuring Navajos have basic necessities like running water and electricity were central to the campaigns.

“Everything is urgent and emergent on Navajo land, it doesn’t matter the issue,” said Shirley, who previously served eight years as president.