Author: Donovan Quintero

The 26th Navajo Nation Council could include 16 members who do not currently serve when it takes office in January, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s general election.

Republican incumbent Eli Crane led former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez by 966 votes Wednesday afternoon in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District race, a margin narrow enough to trigger an automatic recount if it holds through the official canvass.

Loretta Yellowhair considered not voting this year until her daughter, Melina Tiffany Yellowhair, told her she was coming home to cast her ballot.

Presidential candidate Justin Jones told supporters Tuesday night that he and running mate Emily Ellison would not concede the Navajo Nation presidential race after unofficial results showed them trailing Crystalyne Curley and Christopher Clark Deschene by 1,115 votes.

Flooding washed out roads in several Navajo Nation communities Sunday, forcing closures in Piñon, Dilkon, Red Mesa, Mexican Springs and Indian Wells as rising water threatened additional routes.