Lovejoy campaign confident just days before election

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — With less than a week until election day, the Lynda Lovejoy and Walter Phelps campaign is not worried about getting any additional endorsements.

Although there have not been any last-minute endorsements made by previous elected leaders, as with the Shirley-Shelly campaign, the camp is confident in the number of current endorsements.

And though not as many elected leaders have publicly announced their support for Lovejoy, the campaign feels strongly that they do have enough support among the masses to win.

Four weeks ago, ex-chairman Peter MacDonald officially announced that he would be backing the challengers. His primary reason for his endorsement was that Lovejoy's platform called for the Navajo Nation Council to rewrite Title II, Section 102B, of the Navajo Nation Code. The change, if it were to occur, would reduce the council.

"Women have come to the forefront in times of serious crisis such as Changing Woman who saved Din people," said MacDonald.

Sylvia Laughter, public information officer for the Lovejoy-Phelps campaign, also said MacDonald's daughter, Hope-MacDonald Lonetree, Public Safety Committee, is supporting the campaign.

Milton Bluehouse, Sr., former Navajo Nation president, has also endorsed the campaign, and has made several appearances at the campaign's various functions.

"A woman is a natural planner," he said. "We can call this the American dream."

Former presidential candidate Vern Lee, who was endorsed by MacDonald during the primary election, announced his support for Lovejoy only days after the primaries, and has been a keynote speaker at many of her rallies and fund-raisers.

Three current delegates have publicly endorsed Lovejoy.

"My support is for Lynda because she will support the people's choice," said Alice Benally, council delegate (Crownpoint/Nahodishgish).

Leonard Chee, council delegate (Leupp/Birdsprings/Tolani Lake), and Lorenzo Curley, council delegate (Lupton, Houck, and Nahata Dziil), have also stated that they will be backing Lovejoy and Phelps.

Lovejoy rallies

Today
Noon-4 p.m. Mariano Lake/Smith Lake rally at Smith Lake Chapter

Friday
4-8 p.m. Chinle rally

Saturday
All headquarters rally

Sunday
Eastern Agency Rally at Crownpoint
TBA

Monday
4-7 p.m. Ramah Chapter Rally

Tuesday
Election Day