2015 Navajo Nation presidential election

The 2015 Navajo Nation Presidential Election was held on April 21, 2015, with the primary on August 26, 2014. Joe Shirley Jr. and Chris Deschene advanced to the general.[1]

2015 Navajo Nation presidential election
April 21, 2015
Turnout~37%
 
Candidate Russell Begaye Joe Shirley Jr.
Running mate Jonathan Nez Dineh Benally
Popular vote 25,902 15,245
Percentage 62.95% 37.05%
President before election

Ben Shelly

 Elected President

Russell Begaye

Originally the general election between Shirley and Deschene was to be held on Tuesday November 4, 2014. However, two former presidential candidates, Dale E. Tsosie & Hank Whitethorne, who were eliminated in the Primary election challenged Deschene's candidacy over his fluency of the Navajo Language, a requirement to run for president.[2] Eventually disqualifying Chris Deschene and his running mate Fannie L. Atcitty.

The special election was held on April 21, 2015, between Shirley. & Dineh Benally against Russell Begaye & Jonathan Nez, who finished third in the primary election.

Candidates

Advanced to general election
  • Joe Shirley Jr. former Navajo Nation President (2003-2011), vying for a third term.
    • Dineh Benally.
  • Chris Deschene, Marine Veteran & former AZ State House of Representatives.**
    • Fannie L. Atcitty, Navajo lifelong educator and community organizer.**
  • Russell Begaye, incumbent Council Delegate of the Shiprock Chapter, advanced through disqualification of Deschene-Atcitty campaign.
    • Jonathan Nez, incumbent Council Delegate of the Ts'ah Bii Kin, Navajo Mountain, Shonto, & Oljato Chapters.

**Disqualified on October 9, 2014.[3]

Eliminated in primary
  • Russell Begaye, incumbent Council Delegate of the Navajo Nation (Shiprock).
  • Donald Benally
  • Kenneth Maryboy
  • Edison Wauneka
  • Ben Shelly, incumbent President of the Navajo Nation.
  • Myron McLaughlin
  • Carrie Lynn Martin
  • Dale E. Tsosie
  • Duane H. Yazzie
  • Moroni Benally
  • Cal Nez
  • Edison "Chip" Begay
  • Hank Whitethorne
  • Kee Yazzie Mann
  • Dan Smith

Results

Registered voters was a total of 130,000 and just about 37% of registered voters participated in the 2015 special presidential election.[4]

CandidatePrimaryGeneral
Votes%Votes%
Joe Shirley Jr.10,91021.2715,24537.05
Chris Deschene9,73418.97
Russell Begaye7,40414.4325,90262.95
Donald Benally5,28610.30
Kenneth Maryboy3,1536.15
Edison Wauneka2,4544.78
Ben Shelly2,4464.77
Myron McLaughlin2,3334.55
Carrie Lynn Martin2,1364.16
Dale E. Tsosie1,2782.49
Duane H. Yazzie1,1122.17
Moroni Benally9651.88
Cal Nez5921.15
Edison "Chip" Begay5471.07
Hank Whitethorne3980.78
Kee Yazzie Mann3360.65
Dan Smith2160.42
Total51,300100.0041,147100.00
Source: Navajo Times, Fronteras Desk

References
  1. "Unofficial results of 2014 Navajo Nation presidential primary election". Navajo Times.
  2. "Navajo Nation presidential candidate a target over fluency issue". Indianz.
  3. "Deschene Disqualified, has 10 days to appeal". Navajo Times.
  4. "Begaye win Navajo Nation presidential election". Navajo-Hopi Observer.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.