Lovejoy picks Phelps
VP candidates introduced

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Navajo Nation Presidential candidate Lynda Lovejoy introduces Walter Phelps as her running mate for the position of vice president. Phelps is from Luepp, Ariz. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Not even the rain could dampen the spirits at campaign headquarters Monday as both Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. and challenger Lynda Lovejoy introduced their respective running mates.

At his campaign headquarters, Shirley tapped four-term council delegate Ben Shelly, of Thoreau, N.M.; and across the street at Quality Inn Lovejoy announced her choice: Walter Phelps, of Leupp, a member of Congressman Rick Renzi's staff.

Flanked by their wives Vikki Shirley and Martha Shelly the incumbent and his selection promised a strong, working relationship.

"He has the necessary knowledge of our government, and the government outside," Shirley said. "He is down to earth and knows the heart of the people. He was raised with culture, as I was, on a sheepskin rug."

Shelly, current chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, said he did his homework and took a close look at Shirley's tenure and his accomplishments. "I said 'By, golly, I'll get on their wagon any time'," Shelly said. "Mr. Shirley cares about the heart of the Navajo people, I care about the heart of the Navajo people. Yes, we will work together."

Like Shirley, Lovejoy the first woman candidate to make it past the presidential primaries looked at many candidates before settling on Phelps.

"He really is such a gentleman," Lovejoy said.

Phelps had served as Leupp Chapter coordinator before he started working for Renzi a few years ago as the congressman's Native American liasion.

Phelps is well-known at the grassroots level, he has frequently attended chapter meetings to update the communities about Renzi's activities.

Following the August 8 election, the winners of the presidential primary had 10 days from the election to announce their vice presidential selections.

They plan to campaign hard and to represent all Navajos, Shirley said.

"You can find Ben in New Mexico, you can find me in Arizona," the president said. "You can find both of us in Utah, in Phoenix and Albuquerque."

Education remains one of his top priorities, Shirley said. He and Shelly also will work vigorously to bring economic development and jobs to the Navajo Nation, Shirley said. Within the first 36 to 48 months the Shirley-Shelly team hopes to bring close to $400 million to the Nation's coffers.

The Lovejoy-Phelps ticket also stresses the need for more revenue and economic development on the reservation. Casinos, she said, are not the answer.

"We need to begin planning to bring and attract businesses or some solid economic development activity," Lovejoy said. "As evidenced in the election results, it is time for a change," Lovejoy wrote on her Web site. "We will continue on, as we near the horizon of these changes and develop our vision for the Navajo Nation into a reality during this historic election. The people's voice will be heard and honored as you have given to me to become your leader."

In a society where the formal role of women traditionally has been limited to the home and children, Lovejoy has already demonstrated strong appeal.

Asked if he took her campaign seriously, Shirley said, "I'm concerned. To write off any candidate for whatever reason is not astute."

Both camps claim strong support at the grassroots level.

"I've seen the President at many chapter meetings," Shelly said. "I've heard him and he speaks from the heart. I've observed him, and I think he and I think the same way."

Phelps is also a fixture at chapter meetings and enjoys a reputation of being well-liked, organized and efficient. Phelps is a member of the Intertribal Council of Coconino County and was former Vice President of the Leupp Chapter.

Shirley said that Shelly's broad experience after 16 years on the Nation's council, having served eight years on the McKinley County Commission, and having been an entrepreneur and business owner make him an outstanding running mate.

"I feel like he's very well-seasoned, an all-around legislator, and all-around leader," Shirley said. "I think that the committee saw that, of course, when it put him through the interview process. They asked a lot of questions along those lines and felt like he was the person to be our running mate."

Shelly said he has talked to the B & F members about his candidacy and, if they think it best, he would step down as chair.

Shelly, whose clans are Water Running Together Clan, born for Sagebrush, has been married to Martha Shelly for 42 years. Mrs. Shelly's clans are Edgewater, born for Bitter Water. They have five grown children.

Phelps lives in Flagstaff.

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at 1-505-371-5443, or by email at Hopkins1960@hotmail.com.