Jones, Curley trade accusations over corruption, federal threats in final debate
Navajo Times | Sharon Chischilly
Presidential candidates Justin Jones, left, and Crystalyne Curley greet paradegoers during the 113th Annual Northern Navajo Fair parade in Shiprock, Saturday, Oct. 3.
WINDOW ROCK
The two tickets for Navajo Nation president offered sharply different views on corruption and federal threats during a debate Tuesday night at Arizona State University, three weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.
Justin Jones and his running mate, Emily Ellison, described corruption in all three branches of the Navajo Nation government and proposed changes to its oversight. Speaker Crystalyne Curley and her running mate, Christopher Clark Deschene, emphasized federal policies and funding cuts, citing their experience in tribal and federal government.
“Corruption is everywhere,” Jones said in his opening statement. “Corruption is in the Executive Branch. Corruption is in the Legislative Branch. Corruption is in the Judicial Branch.”
Curley criticized his emphasis on blame and division.
“Not just one tunnel vision being about blame and separation,” she said, “but how do we come back together and say these are the things that we want to do for our people.”
The debate was hosted by the Indian Legal Program and Native American Law Students Association at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in Phoenix. Questions submitted by the public were read by Navajo students and staff.
To read the full article, please see the Oct. 15, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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