- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Voters of the country’s largest Indian reservation, Navajo Nation, have elected Buu Nygren to serve as the Nation’s President for the next four years. Nygren challenged incumbent President Jonathan Nez.
Unofficial results from Tuesday’s general election show Nygren ousted former President Nez, who served in the role since 2015. Nygren and his running mate, Richelle Montoya, won 34,568 - 52.7 percent of the votes to Nez and his running mate, Chad Abeyta's 31,069 - 47.3 percent of the votes.
Montoya will be the first woman to serve as the Nation’s Vice President.
Nygren, 35, grew up in Red Mesa, Arizona. He has never before held political office, though he ran for Vice President alongside former Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley four years ago and lost to Nez. Nygren and Montoya campaigned on the need for economic and educational change to support business development, sustainable jobs, and strengthening the workforce in Navajo Nation.
Previously, Nygren worked in construction management. He is married to Arizona State Representative for District 7, Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren.
Nez, 47, previously served as a Council Delegate and a Board of Supervisor member. He selected Air Force veteran Chad Abeyta, 33, as his running mate. Abeyta holds a master’s of law in Indigenous people’s law and policy from the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Nez served as president during the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed the largest public health threat to Navajo Nation citizens in modern times.
Since the Navajo Nation began tracking COVID-19 cases on March 16, 2020, as of Nov. 3, 2022, there have been 76,651 positive cases and 1,936 deaths. At one point during the pandemic, the Nation was the epicenter of active cases in the world. Nez and his administration instituted measures — a lockdown and mask mandates — to slow the spread of the virus.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native American Organizations Respond to Flawed NBC Exit Poll
Today is Red Shawl Day
MHA Nation Chairman Supports Trump’s Interior Nominee and Energy Agenda
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
