Coal no longer king in Navajo Nation presidential election

Voters in the Navajo Nation will choose a president without a single pro-coal contender on the ballot, something that has not happened in decades. The shift marks a notable turn for a tribe whose economy has long leaned on coal, and NPR reports that it reflects changing sentiment among the electorate.

Coal mining and the power plants it supplied have historically been a major source of jobs and revenue for the Navajo Nation, which made support for the industry a near-standard position for anyone seeking the top office. That consensus has now dissolved, with every candidate in the race taking a position other than defending coal as the foundation of the tribal economy.

The change comes as attitudes among Navajo voters evolve, according to NPR, and it raises the question of what kind of economic future the nation will pursue once its next leader takes office. The contest is being held as Americans elsewhere also prepare for midterm elections, but the Navajo race stands out because it removes an issue that candidates once treated as essentially mandatory.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR →