Navajo man fights to serve tribe and New Mexico

Friday, January 5, 2007  

New Mexico State Sen. Leonard Tsosie is asking the Navajo Nation Supreme Court to let him serve in the Navajo Nation Council.

Tsosie is a Democrat who has served in the state Senate since 1993. He was elected to the Navajo council in November as one of two delegates for the Whitehorse Lake/Pueblo Pintado and Torreon Chapters.

But a hearings officer ruled that he couldn't serve the tribe. A provision in the Navajo election code bars a person from representing two different legislative bodies

Tsosie says the officer's decision was biased. He says traditional Navajo law superseded the election code.

If Tsosie can't serve, outgoing LaVern Wagner will take over the seat on January 9. She lost her bid for re-election to Tsosie.

Get the Story:
Tsosie appeals to high court (The Gallup Independent 1/4)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

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