Begaye selects Jonathan Nez as his running mate
Russell Begay (in background) announces Johnny Nez as his vice presidential running mate on Nov. 5, 2014, in Window Rock, Ariz., for the Navajo Nation presidential elections. (Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
WINDOW ROCK
Russell Begaye chose a man as his running mate who is so popular in his Council district that no one wanted to run against him.
Jonathan Nez, who represents Shonto, Oljato, Tsah Bii Kin and Navajo Mountain, said Wednesday he was proud to have been selected as Begaye’s running mate.
Begaye’s selection process was rushed – he was given only three days to select a running mate instead of the usual five – but he said he was happy with his choice since Nez represented the kind of people he wanted to draw into his administration once he is elected.
Nez has had a charmed political career, getting an education while answering the call of his chapter – Shonto – to start working on their behalf in the tribal government, first as a chapter official and then as a Council delegate.
He is now completing his second term in office and on Tuesday was elected to his third term.
Answering Begaye’s request, however, does come with some political liabilities.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow