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Navajo Nation President To Be Inaugurated Tuesday
Courtesy of Rusell Begaye
Russell Begaye ran on a platform of unity. Analysts say he will need to unite the dueling branches of government to accomplish his goals during his term.
On May 12, the Navajo Nation will finally inaugurate a new president. And many wonder how Russell Begaye will do in his new office.
The Navajo Nation Supreme Court delayed the election five months when it disqualified Chris Deschene for refusing to prove he spoke Navajo fluently. The language issue set off several weeks of government infighting. The tribe will vote on that issue in June.
Many Deschene supporters stayed home on election day. Of the small percentage of tribal members who did turn out, 63 percent voted for Russell Begaye, a former home builder and council delegate.
Begaye has said his priorities will be to balance the budget, create jobs and build infrastructure. But it remains to be seen how he will accomplish all of that in a bitter political environment.
