Sean A. Begaye enters Navajo Nation presidential race, calling for accountability and change

Posted by Donovan Quintero | Sep 11, 2025 | News |

WINDOW ROCK

Sean A. Begaye said the Navajo Nation cannot afford another costly failure.

The retired U.S. Army captain pointed to the shuttered ZenniHome project, which left $47 million in unrecoverable housing funds, as a turning point in his decision to seek the presidency.

“This last time with ZenniHome, that was the last straw,” Begaye said. “I can’t believe that he (President Buu Nygren) would go and make this business deal claiming 25 homes a day and 500 jobs. The honest truth is it’s not making any money. We’re just investing and keep throwing money at it. Nobody’s taking responsibility for it.”

On July 17, Begaye, 46, announced his candidacy for president of the Navajo Nation. His decision, he said, is shaped by his military service, his upbringing in Fort Defiance, and his work in Navajo government. His campaign is built around restoring accountability, strengthening oversight, and honoring Navajo values of fairness and respect.

He is Tsénahabiłnii and born for Tł’ízíłání. His maternal grandfather is Hashk’ąą Hadzohó and his paternal grandfather is Honágháahnii.

Early life, military career

Begaye said the foundation of his leadership was built in the Marines and the Army, not in the political arena. He was born in El Paso, Texas, and returned to the Navajo Nation after his father, a soldier himself, fell ill with cancer and later died. His family lived without running water or electricity in Fort Defiance, and he said he witnessed abuse and addiction at a young age.

“I grew up seeing abuse. I grew up seeing alcoholism. I’ve seen drug use after my father passed on and I was exposed to all of that,” he said.

In 1998, Begaye joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served a decade, including two tours in Iraq, before pursuing higher education. At Arizona State University, he earned his degree and joined ROTC, commissioning as an Army officer in 2010. His career took him to Afghanistan, Korea, and other posts before retiring as a captain.

As a platoon leader and later operations officer, Begaye managed dozens and sometimes hundreds of soldiers. He said the military taught him responsibility, resilience, and how to balance the needs of individuals with the demands of an organization.

“I had to deal with not only the soldiers’ welfare and well-being as a leader, I also had to deal with their families,” he said. “I had to make sure that their families were taken care of, that I was giving the soldiers enough time to go home and take care of their wife or child if they needed. That’s leadership—taking care of people and ensuring their needs are met.”

To read the full article, please see the Sept. 11, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

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