Crystalyne Curley Becomes First Female Navajo Nation President

Crystalyne Curley and running mate Christopher Deshene won the Navajo Nation presidential election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results from the Navajo Election Administration. Curley, who previously served as the first woman elected Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, will become the first woman to serve as president when she takes office in January 2027.

The ticket secured 32,094 votes, or 50.9 percent, defeating Farmington attorney Justin Jones and his running mate Emily Ellison, who received 30,979 votes, or 49.1 percent. The final margin of victory was 1,115 votes across all 110 chapters of the Navajo Nation. The race followed the primary defeat of incumbent President Buu Nygren.

Concurrent with the presidential race, the Navajo Nation held elections for 24 council seats. Former Speaker Johnny Naize ran unopposed for a seat, and voters considered a referendum to increase the annual base salary for delegates from $25,000 to $70,000.