Early Results Show Russell Begaye Is New Navajo Nation President
After a six-month legal battle, the largest tribe in the country appears to have a new president. Navajo voters cast their ballots Tuesday for Russell Begaye.
The Navajo Nation postponed the November election and disqualified a candidate for not speaking Navajo fluently. The language issue hasn’t been resolved. But the presidential office has been filled. Russell Begaye thanked his supporters Tuesday night when early polls showed him winning by more than 10,000 votes.
"You guys went out there and campaigned," Begaye said. "You guys didn’t give up. You had hope and your hope has been realized tonight!"
Begaye’s running mate Jonathan Nez told supporters Tuesday night there will be no rest because their administration is now only three and a half years. But he says they are “ready to go, ready to rock and roll.”
Navajo voters will tackle the language issue separately in June, when they decide whether their president should be fluent in Navajo.
