Jones, Curley expected to name running mates Monday
Special to the Times | Sharon Chischilly
Presidential candidates Justin Jones, left, and Speaker Crystalyne Curley greet supporters Tuesday night in Window Rock after unofficial results placed them as the top two finishers in the Navajo Nation presidential primary.
DÁ’DEESTŁ’IN HÓTSAA
Justin Jones and Speaker Crystalyne Curley are expected to announce their running mates Monday, which would complete the two presidential tickets for the Nov. 3 Navajo Nation general election.
Jones and Curley placed first and second, respectively, in the 16-candidate presidential field, according to unofficial results from the July 21 primary.
Jones received 15,039 votes, or 31.04% of the presidential vote, while Curley received 8,546 votes, or 17.64%. President Buu Nygren finished third with 7,410 votes, or 15.30%, according to the Navajo Election Administration.
The Navajo Election Administration listed July 22 through July 25 as the period for the two candidates to select their running mates under Navajo election law.
The presidential and vice-presidential candidates will appear together on the general election ballot.
Jones, an attorney from Rock Point, Arizona, and a Marine Corps veteran, is Bit’ahnii, born for Ta’neeszahnii. His maternal grandfather is Kinłichíi’nii and his paternal grandfather is Áshįįhí.
He is making his second run for Navajo Nation president after finishing third in the 2022 presidential primary.
His campaign has focused on government accountability, housing, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development.
Curley, of Fish Point, Arizona, is Tséńjíkiní and born for Tó’aheedlíinii. Her maternal grandfather is Kinyaa’áanii and her paternal grandfather is Dził T’aadi Kinyaa’áanii.
She was elected speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council in January 2023, becoming the first woman to lead the Council.
She represents Táchii’/Blue Gap, Many Farms, Nazlini, Tséłání/Cottonwood and Low Mountain chapters.
Curley’s campaign has focused on public safety, infrastructure, economic development and services for elders, veterans, children and people with disabilities.
If the unofficial results stand, Curley will become the second woman to appear on a Navajo Nation presidential general election ballot. Lynda Lovejoy was the first in 2010.
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