2015 Navajo Nation presidential election|
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| Turnout | ~37% |
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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]
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.
- 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]
| Candidate | Primary | General |
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| Votes | % | Votes | % |
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| Joe Shirley Jr. | 10,910 | 21.27 | 15,245 | 37.05 |
| Chris Deschene | 9,734 | 18.97 | |
| Russell Begaye | 7,404 | 14.43 | 25,902 | 62.95 |
| Donald Benally | 5,286 | 10.30 | |
| Kenneth Maryboy | 3,153 | 6.15 | |
| Edison Wauneka | 2,454 | 4.78 | |
| Ben Shelly | 2,446 | 4.77 | |
| Myron McLaughlin | 2,333 | 4.55 | |
| Carrie Lynn Martin | 2,136 | 4.16 | |
| Dale E. Tsosie | 1,278 | 2.49 | |
| Duane H. Yazzie | 1,112 | 2.17 | |
| Moroni Benally | 965 | 1.88 | |
| Cal Nez | 592 | 1.15 | |
| Edison "Chip" Begay | 547 | 1.07 | |
| Hank Whitethorne | 398 | 0.78 | |
| Kee Yazzie Mann | 336 | 0.65 | |
| Dan Smith | 216 | 0.42 | |
| Total | 51,300 | 100.00 | 41,147 | 100.00 |
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| Source: Navajo Times, Fronteras Desk |
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