Flagstaff • The race to become president on the country’s largest American Indian reservation has drawn a crowded field of candidates.
Nineteen people met Wednesday’s deadline to file for the office. They include tribal President Russell Begaye, Vice President Jonathan Nez and others who have held or sought those posts.
The top two vote-getters in the August primary face off in the Nov. 6 general election.
Whoever wins will have to deal with declining revenue if a coal-fired power plant on the reservation shuts down as planned in 2019.
Candidates also regularly promise to improve the economy, create jobs, secure water and deliver basic services.
Most of the candidates are from the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation. Five are from New Mexico. None is from Utah.
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