Opinion | Politics

Editorial: Enough is enough with Navajo Nation election drama






Ben Shelly takes the oath of office as president of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Rick Abasta / Navajo Nation Office of the President

New Mexico newspaper urges certain Navajo Nation politicians to drop their challenges to last year's presidential election:
Typically at this point — nearly five months after the primary election — the old regime quietly steps back as the winner of the general election takes the reins. Tuesday's inauguration should have marked that point of transition. Instead, celebrations were overshadowed by the glaring lack of a new president or clear direction on how to choose one. In fact, the day before the inaugural, another motion was filed in the Navajo Nation Supreme Court requesting that certain tribal officials be held in contempt of court because they did not follow an earlier order to hold the presidential election by the end of the month.

Since the August primary, the political process has played out mostly in the courts and, sadly, behind closed doors. Appeals and motions have been filed, often in the eleventh hour, and emergency bills have been rushed before the council. Every time the loose ends start to get tied up, another legal maneuver pops up and interrupts the measures already in motion. While this has certainly kept our Navajo Nation reporter busy, it has led to mass confusion and frustration for tribal officials and the Navajo people. And, more importantly while the drama surrounding the presidency has taken center stage, other important issues are receiving little attention.

To be clear, we aren't backing a particular candidate or side in this. But sometimes, for the greater good, it is necessary to stop, let it go and move on. Stop filing motions and petitioning the courts. Stop trying to change laws solely to benefit your point of view. Stop exhausting all your legal options. Enough is enough. Stepping away may seem like an impossible choice at this point but it's been done in the past for the good of the republic.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Letting go for the good of the Navajo Nation (The Farmington Daily Times 1/15)

Also Today:
Disqualified presidential candidate Deschene's proposal denied (The Farmington Daily Times 1/15)

Join the Conversation

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation leader starts second term despite election loss (1/14)
Agreement reached for leader of Navajo Nation to stay in office (1/12)
President of Navajo Nation remains in office amid election delay (1/8)
Controversy continues over Navajo Nation presidential election (1/5)
Navajo Nation's highest court dismisses challenge to candidate (12/17)
Appeal set in dispute over Navajo Nation presidential hopeful (11/26)
Complaint against Navajo Nation presidential hopeful dismissed (11/24)
Blog: Play-by-play of election controversy on Navajo Nation (11/21)
Navajo Nation Council fails to override veto on language bill (11/14)
Navajo Nation Council to consider language requirement veto (11/13)
Navajo Nation schedules December 23 presidential election (11/10)
Navajo Nation candidate Russell Begaye names running mate (11/6)
Petition seeks removal of Navajo Nation presidential hopeful (11/4)
Andrew Curley: Election flap exposes troubles in Navajo Nation (11/3)
Navajo Nation postpones presidential vote as legal drama ends (11/3)
Chris Deschene still urging Navajo Nation voters to choose him (10/30)
Navajo Nation president vetoes bill to address language issue (10/29)
Navajo Nation election officials refuse to delay upcoming vote (10/28)
Navajo Nation candidate Chris Deschene won't halt campaign (10/24)
Navajo Nation's top court orders new ballots without candidate (10/23)
Christopher Chavis: Navajo court got it wrong in fluency case (10/22)
Navajo Nation presidential hopeful to be removed from ballot (10/22)
Navajo Nation court still mulling decision in presidential case (10/21)
Top Navajo Nation court holds hearing in presidential dispute (10/20)
Navajo presidential candidate Chris Deschene stays on ballot (10/14)
Navajo presidential candidate to dispute removal from ballot (10/10)
Navajo presidential candidate loses ruling over language ability (10/9)
Navajo Nation won't delay election despite presidential dispute (10/2)
Navajo presidential candidate in doubt over fluency in language (9/29)
Navajo Nation might postpone election due to legal challenge (9/25)
Navajo Nation court to hear language issue affecting candidate (9/24)
Appeal filed over Navajo language ability of presidential hopeful (9/17)
Navajo Nation presidential candidate a target over fluency issue (09/11)
Navajo voters oust incumbent president Ben Shelly in primary (08/27)