Phelps ready for 'enormous task' as Lovejoy's VP running mate

By Darrel Beehner
Staff Writer

WINDOW ROCK — The selection of Walter Phelps as Lynda Lovejoy's running mate may have caught some people by surprise.

But perhaps none more than Phelps himself.

"I got the call Thursday," said Phelps, while surrounded by family, friends and supporters in a crowded conference room at Din Inn Monday afternoon.

"It's been intense. I had no clue, no thoughts (about being selected). I had no idea my life was going to be changed so much in one day," he said. "I'm still in a state of bewilderment."

Phelps, of Leupp, Ariz., helps bring balance between East and West to Crownpoint, N.M., native Lovejoy's campaign.

"We embraced (potential running mates) from Utah, from the Central Agency, all over," Lovejoy said. "But Walter just kept moving up the list. I was so impressed with him."

A member of Congressman Rick Renzi's staff, Phelps had served as Leupp Chapter coordinator before he started working for Renzi a few years ago as the congressman's Native American liaison.

He was introduced by Lovejoy as an individual who "stood out well above the rest" of the potential running mates.

Phelps, who attended the event with his wife and 11-year-old son, attended a Bible college for four years, a Phoenix college and has worked "in various fields."

While admitting to being somewhat overwhelmed by being selected as Lovejoy's running mate, Phelps insists that he's focused on the job at hand.

"It's never been more clear. This journey was absolutely meant to be," he said. "We have an enormous task in coming days."

That task, Lovejoy said, is to bring harmony and change to the Nation.

"We want to bring the highest integrity back to the Navajo government and the Navajo people," she said. "We're focused on professionalism. Tribal employees will not work under fear."

Lovejoy said a number of people have offered assistance to the campaign and backers have begun organizing in Tuba City, Shiprock and across the reservation to lend support to their campaign.

Lovejoy also said she is reaching out to the other candidates who didn't make the cut in the primary.

"We will push for a real change," she said. "Other candidates said they wanted change. Well, by golly, get on our band wagon."

That band wagon will get in gear 11 a.m. (reservation time) Wednesday with a well dedication in the Leupp Chapter, followed by a gathering at The Ranch near Leupp at 1 p.m. Also planned is a rally at noon Saturday at the Civic Center in Window Rock where the Lovejoy and Phelps' families will "merge as one family," Lovejoy said.