Crystalyne Curley claims victory in Navajo presidential election, poised to make history as first female president

Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley is set to become the tribe’s first female president.

Unofficial results released Thursday by the Navajo Election Administration show Curley narrowly defeating attorney Justin Jones, who is refusing to concede.

Curley and running mate Christopher Deschene received 32,094 votes, or 50.9%. Jones and running mate Emily Ellison received 30,979 votes, or 49.1%. That is a thin margin of 1,115 votes across 110 chapters.

“This victory belongs to all of us,” Curley said in a statement Wednesday.

Her campaign focused on protecting tribal sovereignty, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people to return home.

Jones, who led the field in the primary, is not ready to accept the outcome.

Speaking Tuesday night at his watch party at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds, Jones said he does not think the election was properly tabulated.

“There are some dark, gray mathematical errors that we are looking at,” he told supporters. “We are not conceding. The fight has just begun.”

The results remain unofficial until the Navajo Board of Election Supervisors certifies them.

The new administration takes office in January 2027.

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