The 2015 Navajo Nation Presidential Election was held on April 21, 2015, with the primary on August 26, 2014.

Joe Shirley Jr. Joe Shirley Jr. (born December 4, 1947) is a Navajo politician who is the only two-term President of the Navajo Nation. He served as president from 2003 to 2011. He lives in Chinle, Arizona, and is Tódích'íi'nii, born for Tábaahá. Personal ...

and

Chris Deschene Christopher L. Clark Deschene is an American politician, attorney, and energy development expert. A member of the Navajo Nation, Deschene was the Democratic Party's candidate for Secretary of State in Arizona in 2010, and served as a Department ...

advanced to the general. 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. 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 Russell Begaye is a Navajo politician who served as the 8th president of Navajo Nation from May 2015 to January 2019. He was the second New Mexican Navajo to hold the Navajo Presidency. Early life and education Born in Shiprock, New Mexico, B ...

Jonathan Nez Jonathan Nez (born May 26, 1975) is the 9th and current President of the Navajo Nation. He was elected in the 2018 election after having served as Vice President from 2015 to 2019. Earlier in his career, Jonathan Nez served as a council delegat ...

, who finished third in the primary election.

Candidates

Advanced to general election

former Navajo Nation President (2003-2011), vying for a third term. ** Dineh Benally. *

, Marine Veteran & former AZ State House of Representatives.** ** Fannie L. Atcitty, Navajo lifelong educator and community organizer.** *

, incumbent Council Delegate of the Shiprock Chapter, advanced through disqualification of Deschene-Atcitty campaign. **

, incumbent Council Delegate of the Ts'ah Bii Kin, Navajo Mountain, Shonto, & Oljato Chapters. ''**Disqualified on October 9, 2014.''

Eliminated in primary

, incumbent Council Delegate of the Navajo Nation (Shiprock). * Donald Benally *

Kenneth Maryboy Kenneth Maryboy (born May 13, 1961) is an American politician for San Juan County, Utah, and was Navajo Nation Council Delegate. Kenneth is a former San Juan County Commissioner. Maryboy was the third Democrat in a row to have been elected ...

* 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. {{Election results , firstround=Primary, secondround=General , cand1=

, votes1=10910, votes1_2=15245 , cand2=

, votes2=9734 , cand3=

, votes3=7404, votes3_2=25902 , cand4=Donald Benally, votes4=5286 , cand5=

, votes5=3153 , cand6=Edison Wauneka, votes6=2454 , cand7= Ben Shelly, votes7=2446 , cand8=Myron McLaughlin, votes8=2333 , cand9=Carrie Lynn Martin, votes9=2136 , cand10=Dale E. Tsosie, votes10=1278 , cand11=Duane H. Yazzie, votes11=1112 , cand12=Moroni Benally, votes12=965 , cand13=Cal Nez, votes13=592 , cand14=Edison "Chip" Begay, votes14=547 , cand15=Hank Whitethorne, votes15=398 , cand16=Kee Yazzie Mann, votes16=336 , cand17=Dan Smith, votes17=216 , sourc
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References

Navajo Nation elections Navajo