Shirley declares candidacy for third term

Riding a wave of public support for government reform that has built steadily in past months, President Joe Shirley Jr. announced Wednesday he is running for a third consecutive term in office.

"We need to continue to work on stabilizing our government," Shirley said in a press conference Wednesday outside the Navajo Election Administration, where he had just filed his candidate papers.

"We do not believe those who declared their candidacy for president will finish the job," he said. "There is much more that needs to get done."

Though Navajo law states he is limited to two terms, Shirley and his supporters said he is willing to put the issue before the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. A challenge to the term-limit law could delay the November election unless it is settled quickly.

Shirley has spent the past two years pushing his government reform plan, which centers on reducing the council from 88 to 24 members and expanding the president's power to veto council spending measures. Voters approved both initiatives in a Dec. 15 special election.

When Shirley appeared at the election office to submit his candidate application, no one had any idea what was going to happen.

Surrounded by about 50 supporters, he wanted to complete the application on the spot. Instead he was sent to the Ethics and Rules Office and the Department of Justice to complete the paperwork.

By midday, election officials accepted Shirley's application, as well as two cashier's checks totaling $1,500 to pay the filing fee.

Should the election office decide to reject his application, he is expected to file a complaint with the Office of Hearings and Appeals. The losing side would almost certainly appeal the outcome.

"The Supreme Court is where it will probably end up," said Patrick Sandoval, Shirley's chief of staff. "It's the principle behind it. He's not just here for the heck of it."

However, Navajo Election Administration Director Edison Wauneka said the Navajo Nation Code does not allow for a third consecutive term as president.

"The people have a right to determine who should lead their nation," Shirley said. "This is their government and their resources."

In its most recent session, the council increased the powers of its attorney, Chief Legislative Counsel Frank Seanez, who quickly fired off a legal opinion on the importance of the two-term limit.

Clearly welcoming the battle to come, Shirley told his applauding supporters Wednesday that he has a lot of work to finish.

"There are laws which need to be changed," he said, referring to the council's decision to elevate its lawyer to rival the authority of the tribe's attorney general. "The people never had input into it."

He said Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code, created during the government reforms of 1989 and 90', should be revamped. The position of president and the three-branch government were established at that time.

"I don't know if anyone running will carry on the government reform initiative we have started or if they even know what is still needed to complete government reform," Shirley said.

He also suggested that the tribe could benefit from creating more elected positions, including a secretary and treasurer.

The voters originally elected Shirley to be president in 2002. He was re-elected in 2006, defeating Lynda Lovejoy.

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