Arizona voters split between candidates

Marcy Wilson fills her car with gas at the Conoco station in Ganado. Wilson said she plans to vote to re-elect Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley because they are clan relatives and his strong commitment to Navajo tradition. [Photo by John A. Bowrsmith/Independent]

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GANADO — Incumbent Joe Shirley Jr. and challenger Lynda Lovejoy are running neck-and-neck in the race for president of the Navajo Nation, according to a random poll at a Conoco gas station in Ganado.

After talking with 40 people, Shirley and Lovejoy evened up with 10 people each in their favor. Ten additional voters are still on the fence about who they're going to vote for, seven stated they do not vote, and three have made up their minds that neither is a good candidate.

The reasons why people would be casting their vote for either candidate remained the same when compared to a random poll taken outside Wal-Mart in Gallup two weeks ago, where three more people favored Lovejoy than for Shirley. Most people said they will be voting for Lovejoy because she's a woman and change is needed. Those voting for Shirley feel he is more experienced and want to allow him to finish what he started.

Those more familiar with issues facing the nation were in favor for Shirley, while those deciding to vote for Lovejoy had no real basis for giving her their vote.

Immediately after stating who they would be voting for, people were asked why.

"I don't know why," said Carlos John, Sr., 65, of Cross Canyon, after saying he will be voting for Lovejoy. "Maybe it's time we need new ideas."

While he understands traditionally that a woman is not supposed to hold such a position, he said things are different now. His son-in-law, Ray Sam, 36, agrees, but is annoyed with the mudslinging.

"They're just putting each other down," he said. "They should talk about what they're going to do."

Leonard Tsosie, 48, of Ganado will be voting for Shirley.

"He's more experienced," he said. "He knows the needs on the reservation."

John Blake, 52, of Nazlini is backing Shirley.

"Lovejoy doesn't really have a platform plan," he said. "She's lacking in that area."

Lenora Shirley, of Klagetoh will vote for Lovejoy.

"I think she'd be a good leader for us," she said. "We need a change. I want to see (what) it's like to have a female in there."

Ron Curtis, 38, is for Lovejoy because "she's a lady", and Curtis believes that women are more progressive than men.

Doug, 30, of Steamboat who declined to give a last name will be giving his vote to Shirley, believing that Shirley will continue his work. Robert Kee, 52, of Ganado is voting for Shirley, saying "we just got to keep him in there, keep things going."

Albert Benally, 40, had decided to go with Lovejoy, who he believes to be dependable and responsible.

Rose William's, 75, of Ganado said she is voting for Lovejoy.

"I've seen what Shirley has done, but I think we need to go to a different avenue from here," she said. "A man may be the head of a family, but they still have to go back and see what the wife says."

William's said she also knows the family of Walter Phelps, and has known them to be a strong, traditional family.

Archie Yonnie, 42, of Tohatchi, is basing his vote on traditional Navajo beliefs that a woman should not be elected into the position.

"For me, it's best and wise to listen to the old folks rather than change things around," he said.

Through his upbringing, Yonnie understands that a woman can become a leader such as a delegate, or run a tribal program, but cannot be in such a high position such as president. If such a drastic change should occur, Yonnie is convinced that the end is near and that things will only become more chaotic.

"Young kids think whoever gets elected it will be all right," said Yonnie. "If (Lovejoy is elected), everybody would just take advantage of it."

"Ara," of Ganado, said she is voting for Lovejoy, who is the "lesser of two evils."

"She's off to a bad start, so I don't know if she's going to win," she said.

Ara said she was turned off when she heard Lovejoy was demeaning gays at a campaign rally in Albuquerque. At the recent rally, Lovejoy allegedly said gays are similar to people with deformities.

"I think she lost of a lot of people then," she said. "Her publicity is so bad. Maybe she's doing it intentionally"

While Ara is turned off by Lovejoy's personality and public presentation, she said she is still going to vote for her.

"Hopefully, she'll be better in the office that she is in public," she said. "People want a change so much, she's only riding on that. I don't like her, I just don't want Shirley in there."

A few voters expressed their disapproval for both candidates.

"I'm voting no confidence on either party," said Judy, 54, of Navajo Station. "For one, Shirley has made so many promises and has not fulfilled them. Lovejoy, she's new. She would have to start all the way at the bottom."