2014–15 Navajo Nation presidential election

2014–15 Navajo Nation presidential election

August 26, 2014 (Primary)
April 21, 2015 (Run off)
Turnout37.21%
 
Candidate Russell Begaye Joe Shirley Jr.
Running mate Jonathan Nez Dineh Benally
Popular vote 25,902 15,245
Percentage 62.95% 37.05%

President before election

Ben Shelly

Elected President

Russell Begaye

The 2015 Navajo Nation Presidential Election was held on April 21, 2015, with the primary on August 26, 2014. Russell Begaye and Jonathan Nez, who finished third in the primary, won the election.

In the primary election, Joe Shirley Jr. and Chris Deschene initially advanced to the general election. Originally the general election between Shirley and Deschene was to be held on November 4, 2014. However, two former presidential candidates, Dale E. Tsosie and 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. This resulted in the disqualification of Chris Deschene and his running mate Fannie L. Atcitty.

Due to the disqualification, the election was delayed to April 21, 2015, between Shirley and Dineh Benally against Begaye and Nez.