FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – A New Mexico senator vying to become the next president of the Navajo Nation has chosen a running mate who is unknown in political circles, while her contender teamed up with a tribal lawmaker.
Earl Tulley will join Lynda Lovejoy as she campaigns to become the first woman to lead the country's largest American Indian reservation. Tribal Vice President Ben Shelly chose Rex Lee Jim, who finished fourth in last week's presidential primary election, to complete his ticket.
The candidates for president, both of whom are from New Mexico, continued the practice of reaching across state lines when choosing running mates to garner increased support. Tulley is from Blue Gap and Jim is from Rock Point – both in Arizona.
The choice on Nov. 2 might come down to how much of a connection voters want the candidates to have with the tribal government.
Shelly was a longtime council delegate and served with Jim before being tapped for the vice president's post. Shelly said his own experience will ensure stability in the tribal government and touted Jim's commitment to maintaining Navajo tradition and his background in education.
Lovejoy was the first woman to make it through the tribe's presidential primary four years ago but was beat in the general election. Much of her political experience has been with the New Mexico state government, which she said can only benefit the Navajo people.
“People want fresh faces within the government,” Lovejoy said Monday. “They want a clean slate, they want a fresh beginning, and I think Earl represents that. I, too, will bring in new ideas and new approaches.”
Tulley could gain favor among environmentalists because of his work as vice president of Dine CARE, an environmental group that has promoted traditional teachings and the use of renewable energy. He also worked for more than 20 years with the Navajo Housing Authority.
Tulley said Monday that the campaign would focus on addressing the tribe's more than 50 percent unemployment by promoting jobs in the renewable energy sector, tourism and those that have been a mainstay in Navajo society – weaving, jewelry making and shepherding.
“The dynamics of this ticket, our ticket, is to showcase to Navajos that the best is yet to come,” Tulley said.
Lovejoy and Tulley served together on the board at Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint, N.M., where Lovejoy is from.
Lovejoy garnered more than twice as many votes as any of the other 11 presidential candidates in last week's primary election. Shelly secured the second-place spot.
Shelly said he would rely on Jim to help reform education on the reservation and implement standards that conform to Navajo tradition and culture. Jim holds a bachelor's degree in English from Princeton University and a master's degree in English from Middlebury College.
“There could be strength that could be built on bicultural and bilingual programs, knowing that European children learn several languages,” Jim said.
Shelly also praised Jim's work for rights of indigenous people and said he has seen nothing in Jim's background that would cause concern or hint at instability. In addition, Shelly said that Jim “didn't hesitate that he wants to get on board, so I give him that. He's not backing out.”