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The 2026 Navajo Nation presidential election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect the president and vice president of the Navajo Nation. The primary election will be held on July 21, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election.[1] Sixteen candidates are running for president, one of the largest fields in tribal history, including incumbent president Buu Nygren, who is seeking a second term.[2][3] Incumbent vice president Richelle Montoya is not seeking reelection, instead opting for a seat in the Navajo Nation Council.[2] The primary election will coincide with primary elections for the Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Board of Election Supervisors, and Navajo Nation Board of Education.[4] The general election will coincide with elections for the aforementioned offices and federal and state offices.
This is the first election to be conducted under tribal legislation CJA-08-24, which amended Title 11 of the Navajo Nation Code to raise the campaign expense limit from US$1.50 to US$2 per registered voter.[5]
Candidates
- Donovan Begay (from Huerfano)[2]
- Jordan Begay, former social worker for the Navajo Nation Division for Children and Family Services (from Tonalea)[2][6]
- Alexander Chambers, advisor for the US Small Business Administration (from Shiprock)[2][6]
- Tom T. Chee (from Shiprock)[2]
- Kevin L. Cody, tribal employee and candidate for president in 2018 and 2022 (from Pinon)[2][6]
- Andrew Curley, Associate Professor at the University of Arizona (from Houck)[2][6]
- Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council (2023–present; from Tselani/Cottonwood)[2]
- Frank Dayish Jr., former vice president of the Navajo Nation (2003–2007) and candidate for president in 2022 (from Chichiltah)[2]
- Emily Ellison, family shelter director and candidate for president in 2018 and 2022 (from Chichiltah)[2][6]
- Justin Jones, attorney and candidate for president in 2022 (from Rock Point)[2]
- Myron Lizer, former vice president of the Navajo Nation (2019–2023; from St. Michaels) (party affiliation: Republican)
- Debbie Nez-Manuel, candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in 2018 and Arizona Senate in 2020 (from Klagetoh)[2][6]
- Larry Noble (from Steamboat)[2]
- Buu Nygren, incumbent president (2023–present; from Red Mesa) (party affiliation: Democratic)[2]
- Johnny Russell Jr. (from Nageezi)[2]
- Arvin Trujillo, Navajo Nation executive administrator (from Gadii'ahi/To'Koi)[2][6]
Results
Primary election
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Begay | |||
| Jordan Begay | |||
| Alexander Chambers | |||
| Tom T. Chee | |||
| Kevin L. Cody | |||
| Andrew Curley | |||
| Crystalyne Curley | |||
| Frank Dayish Jr. | |||
| Emily Ellison | |||
| Justin Jones | |||
| Myron Lizer | |||
| Debbie Nez-Manuel | |||
| Larry Noble | |||
| Buu Nygren | |||
| Johnny Russell Jr. | |||
| Arvin Trujillo | |||
| Total votes | 100.00 | ||
General election
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total votes | 100.00 | ||
References
- ↑ "Home". Navajo Nation Election Administration. Archived from the original on May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Holtje, Doreen (April 28, 2026). "'The Race Is On': 16 Candidates File for Navajo Nation Presidency". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Archived from the original on May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Navajo Nation Election Official List of Candidates" (PDF). Navajo Nation Election Administration. April 24, 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Certification of Candidates - 2026 Navajo Nation Primary Election" (PDF). Navajo Nation Election Administration. April 24, 2026. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ↑ Quintero, Donovan (April 23, 2026). "Sixteen file for Navajo presidency as Council turnover builds". Navajo Times. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Benallie, Kalle (May 13, 2026). "The Navajo Nation 2026 presidential election". Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on May 14, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.