Two men vying to become the next chairman on the Hopi reservation say untangling the political mess that has characterized tribal government over the past year is their top priority.

LeRoy Shingoitewa (sing-OY'-tee-wah) and Clark Tenakhongva (tin-AHK'hohng-vah) will face off on Nov. 18 for the position.

The 67-year-old Shingoitewa is the chief administrator at Moencopi Day School in Tuba City and has twice run for the chairmanship.

The 52-year-old Tenakhongva is relatively new to politics and works for the tribe's Department of Veterans Affairs.

The tribe has had a rare vacancy in the top two leadership posts since December. Many have questioned the legitimacy of the tribal government that is without an elected chairman or vice chairman.