President of the Navajo Nation

The President of the Navajo Nation is the head of government of the Navajo Nation. The office was created in 1991 following restructuring of the national government. The president and vice president are elected every four years, and can only serve two terms in office.

President of the Navajo Nation
Incumbent
Jonathan Nez
since January 15, 2019
Term lengthFour years, renewable only once
Inaugural holderPeterson Zah
FormationJanuary 15, 1991
WebsiteOffice of the President of the Navajo Nation

As outlined in the Navajo Nation Code §1001-1006, until 2016, office holders had to be fluent in the Navajo language among other declared qualifications.[1] Presently, fluency is to be determined by the Navajo voters when they cast ballots.[2]

Presidential line of succession

The Navajo Nation Code defines who may become or act as President upon the absence of a sitting president or a president-elect. Should the president, under circumstances outlined in the Navajo Nation Code at §1005(d)-1006, be unable to serve out his full term, then the vice president shall act in his place for the remainder of the term, or until the president is able to resume his duties. §1006 of the Code instructs, that in the event a vacancy should "occur in the Office of President and Vice President, the Speaker shall serve as President of the Navajo Nation until a special election is held." The speaker does not relinquish his speaker duties whilst acting as interim president.

Office holders
#ImageNamePartyTerm startedTerm endedVice President of the Navajo Nation
1 Peterson Zah Democratic January 15, 1991[3] January 10, 1995[4] Marshall Plummer
2 Albert Hale Democratic January 10, 1995[4] February 19, 1998[5] Thomas Atcitty
3 Thomas Atcitty Democratic February 19, 1998[5] July 23, 1998[6] Milton Bluehouse, Sr.
4 Milton Bluehouse, Sr. July 24, 1998[6] January 12, 1999[7] Frank Chee Willeto (from August 1998)
5 Kelsey Begaye Democratic January 12, 1999[7] January 14, 2003 Taylor McKenzie
6 Joe Shirley, Jr. Democratic January 14, 2003[8] January 11, 2011 Frank Dayish (2003-2007)
Ben Shelly (2007-2011)
7 Ben Shelly Democratic January 11, 2011 May 12, 2015 Rex Lee Jim
8 Russell Begaye Democratic May 12, 2015 January 8, 2019 Jonathan Nez
9 Jonathan Nez Democratic January 15, 2019 Present Myron Lizer

See also

References
  1. Fonseca, Felicia (September 11, 2014). "Language factors into race for Navajo president". Houston Chronicle.
  2. Navajo Election Administration. "Qualifications for Navajo Nation President and Vice-President" (PDF). Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  3. "Democracy Era Begins For Largest U.S. Tribe". New York Times. 1991-01-17. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  4. "President-elect Albert Hale Plans Changes For Navajos". Associated Press. Kingman Daily Miner. 1995-01-09. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  5. Becenti, Deenise (1998-02-20). "With Law on Heels, Navajo Boss Quits; Hale Steps Down As Navajo Boss". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  6. "Navajo name new present - again; Bluehouse appointed". Associated Press. Kingman Daily Miner. 1998-07-26. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  7. Rushlo, Michelle (1999-12-12). "Navajo inauguration is all-day event". Associated Press. Eugene Register-Guard (page 3A). Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  8. "Navajo inauguration is all-day event". Indianz.com. 2003-01-08. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
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