Navajo Nation elects new President, Vice Pres

After a wild and wooly election campaign that extended more than five months beyond the initial election day, Russell Begaye was elected president of the Navajo Nation on April 21.
Begaye received 62 percent of the vote to easily outdistance challenger Joe Shirley, Jr. Shirley had served two terms as Navajo Nation president, from 2003 to 2011, but he was defeated at the polls by Begaye.
It was actually the 2014 election that was held on April 21, 2015. The election was delayed while the court system determined the eligibility of a previous candidate, Chris Deschene.
Deschene was ruled ineligible to run for Navajo Nation president because he is not fluent in the Navajo language. A Navajo Nation law stipulates that candidates must have Navajo language fluency.
The long delay may have contributed to the 37.5 percent voter turnout for the election. In contrast, approximately 58 percent of voters participated in the 2010 Navajo Nation presidential election and more than 65 percent of voters participated in the 2006 election.
Begaye’s vice president is Jonathan Nez, a name familiar to San Juan County residents. Nez has served as the Navajo Nation Council delegate representing Oljato and Navajo Mountain for two terms. His position also represents Shonto and Inscription House in Arizona. He is from Shonto.
San Juan School board member Nelson Yellowman is delighted about the election of a local representative to the Vice Presidential post.
Yellowman said, “Jonathan Nez knows the issues and concerns of San Juan County resident and Utah Navajos. He has excellent financial, business, legal, language and political skills.”
Nez will be the featured speaker at the Monument Valley High School graduation services in May.
In order to take the new position, Nez will vacate his position as Navajo Nation delegate. The position will be filled in a special election. A number of candidates have expressed an interest in running for the open seat.
The election season began more than a year ago. San Juan County Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy was one candidate who threw his hat in the ring for Navajo Nation president. Maryboy finished fifth in an August 26 primary election and was eliminated from the race.
The eventual winner, Begaye, finished third in the primary race. He joined the two-candidate race after Deschene was eliminated for lacking Navajo language skills.
Voters from San Juan County were supportive of Begaye’s candidacy. He carried every precinct in San Juan County by a wide margin.
Voters in Oljato supported Begaye with 472 votes, while Shirley garnered 88, giving Begaye 84 percent of the vote.
Seventy percent of voters in Dennehotso supported Begaye with 215 votes. Shirley had 93 votes.
Eighty-six percent of voters in Navajo Mountain supported Begaye with 167 votes, while Shirley garnered 28 votes.
Seventy-three percent of voters in Mexican Water supported Begaye with 174 votes, while Shirley garnered 63 votes.
Voters in Aneth supported Begaye with 305 votes, while Shirley garnered 114, giving Begaye 73 percent of the vote.
Fifty-nine percent of voters in Teec Nos Pos supported Begaye with 251 votes. Shirley had 172.
Voters in Red Mesa supported Begaye with 282 votes, while Shirley garnered 201, giving Begaye 58 percent of the vote.