Shirley: ‘The numbers are what they are’

WINDOW ROCK

The people have spoken.

Right from the beginning, former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., trailed former council delegate Russell Begaye when the first chapters began reporting their results to officials from the Navajo Election Administration at the Window Rock Sports Center Tuesday night.

And in the end, it was Begaye who was the victor, with 25,745 votes to Shirley’s 15,439. In total, 41,094 people cast their votes in this controversial special presidential election that finally occurred several months after the Nov. 4 general election.

Asked his thoughts about the election outcome, while surrounded by a sea of emotional supporters, Shirley said, “It’s not what we expected but you know all along we wanted for the people to speak. They have and the numbers are what they are.”

Shirley added that he was thankful for the hundreds of supporters that offered their votes – in the primary last August and in Tuesday’s general election.

“I’m very thankful to the Creator that the election has taken place and now we can put it behind us,” he added. “I’m thankful the people were afforded to vote.”

Though Shirley was gracious about his defeat with running mate Dineh Benally, over at their campaign headquarters on the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds, it was a somber place for the hundreds of supporters that gathered there.

Supporters like Sadie Charleston, of Gallup, were seen crying. Slow country music being blasted on the sound system provided their only comfort.

“I feel bad for him but like he said, ‘In life we just move on,’” Charleston said.

As she was expressing her thoughts, Benally and his father, Donald Benally, provided conceding speeches to their followers.

In their statements, Dineh and Donald spoke about how both Shirley and Patrick Sandoval, campaign manager, will go down as significant people in Navajo political history.

“I’m know my cheii is going to go down as one of the greatest Indian leaders of all time,” said Dineh Benally, who was seen shedding tears.

“We have 16,000 strong,” echoed the elder Benally to loud applause. He reminded followers like Charleston to “Stand up strong.”

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