Kalle BenallieICT
The Navajo Nation president nominees, Crystalyne Curley and Justin Jones, have chosen their running mates. Together the nominees will face off in the general election in November.
Curley picked Chris Deschene as her vice-presidential candidate.
“Our nation deserves leadership that is hardworking, accountable, and committed to serving our people every single day,” Curley said in a press release. “Chris Deschene brings decades of leadership, public service, and experience in infrastructure, business, economic development, and state and federal policy. Together, we are ready to deliver solutions that improve the lives of Navajo families and move our nation forward.”
Deschene is from LeChee, Arizona, and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, engineer and attorney.
He also ran for Navajo Nation president in 2014 but was disqualified from the race for not meeting Navajo presidential requirements. According to the Navajo Times, Deschene refused to engage in a conversation in Navajo during an Office of Hearings and Appeals hearing which led to the office asking the Navajo Elections Administration to take Deschene’s name off the ballot to candidate Russell Begaye.
Speaking and understanding the Navajo language proficiently was previously expected. However, a qualification sheet for candidates released earlier this year put the determination in the hands of voters.
He served as an Arizona State Representative from 2008 to 2010 and was the director of the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama administration. He also ran for Arizona Secretary of State but lost in the Democratic primary in 2010.
“I am proud to stand alongside Crystalyne Curley because she has demonstrated courageous leadership and an unwavering commitment to the Navajo people. Together, we will work to strengthen our government, create jobs, invest in infrastructure, propel our economy, and expand opportunities for every Navajo family,” Deschene said.
Navajo Nation Presidential Candidate and current Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council Crystalyne Curley at Navajo Nation presidential forum on June 24, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico. Only 10 of the 16 candidates participated in the Farmington forum. (Jourdan Bennett-Begaye/ICT)
If Curley wins the election in November, she will become the first woman to be president of the Navajo Nation. She is the second woman to reach the general election, according to the Navajo Times. In 2010, Lynda Lovejoy was the first to reach the general election against Ben Shelly.
Curley became the first woman elected speaker of the Navajo Nation Council in 2023.
Navajo Nation Presidential Candidate Justin Jones at Navajo Nation presidential forum on June 24, 2026, in Farmington, New Mexico. Only 10 of the 16 candidates participated in the Farmington forum. (Jourdan Bennett-Begaye/ICT)
Justin Jones selected Emily Ellison as his vice-presidential candidate. She is from Chichiltah, New Mexico, and is the executive director of the Battered Families Services, an organization focused on women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Ellison was one of the 15 candidates that was running for president during this election cycle. She previously ran for Navajo Nation president in 2018 and 2022. She was honored by the Peace Corps in 2014 for her work as an education volunteer in China and has relied on this experience during the Navajo Nation presidential forums in the last couple of months.
She also ran in 2014 for Navajo Nation Council.
In her bid for president, she campaigned on government accountability, sovereignty, infrastructure, supporting local businesses and fostering community.
“I want to thank the committee for this opportunity to serve our Navajo people,” Ellison said at her vice president nomination announcement.
Navajo Nation presidential candidate, Justin Jones, announced Emily Ellison as his running mate on July 27, 2026 for the Navajo Nation election. Ellison was one of the 16 candidates running for Navajo Nation president in the primary election; her third time running. (Jourdan Bennett-Begaye/ICT)
Jones has his own private law practice and is a Marine veteran. Jones has served in several leadership roles in schools and was a Chief Judge for the Courts of the Jicarilla Apache Nation.
Current Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren was not selected for the general election after the primaries earlier this month.
The primary election results will be certified on August 13.
The last day for voters to register for the general election is September 24 at 5 p.m. Absentee voting begins October 5 and the last day to submit the absentee ballot requests to the Navajo Election Administration is October 19 at 5 p.m.
October 30 at 5 p.m. is the last day to vote in person at any Navajo Nation Election Office.
The general election is November 3.
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