The 2006 Navajo Nation presidential election took place on November 7, 2006. Primary elections took place on August 8, 2006. Incumbent President Joe Shirley Jr. was re-elected, defeating 11 candidates, including former New Mexico state representative Lynda Lovejoy.
Candidates
Advanced to general election Joe Shirley Jr., incumbent President of the Navajo Nation (2003–present) from Chinle, Arizona Frank Dayish Jr., incumbent Vice President of the Navajo Nation (2003–present) Lynda Lovejoy, former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives (1988–1998), who declared her candidancy on April 1, 2006, at the Crownpoint Chapter House in Crownpoint, New Mexico Walter Phelps (from Leupp, Arizona)
Eliminated in primary
Ernest Harry Begay, from Rock Point, Arizona Hoskie Bryant Frank Dayish Jr., incumbent Vice President of the Navajo Nation (2003–present), who declared his candidacy on May 6, 2006 at the Shiprock Chapter House James Henderson Jr., former member of the Arizona Senate (1985–1999), from Ganado, Arizona Vern Roy Lee, from Kirtland, New Mexico Wilbur Nelson Jr. Jon C. Reeves Harrison Todacheene, from Shiprock, New Mexico Calvin H. Tsosie Sr., from Yatahey, New Mexico
Results Shirley and Lovejoy proceeded to the runoff in November 2007. This was the first time in Navajo government history that a woman made it to the runoff. Immediately after the first round, Lovejoy selected Walter Phelps from Leupp, Arizona as her running mate to challenge Shirley, who picked Navajo Nation Council Delegate Ben Shelly (of Thoreau).
Shirley defeated Lovejoy in the second round by a margin of 4,000 votes. He became the first leader of the Navajo nation to be reelected since Chairman Peter MacDonald.
References
External links Johnson, Natasha Kaye. (2006). Lovejoy enters race (Archived 2009-05-16). The Gallup Independent Hassler, Brian. (2007). Dayish campaign begins with rally in Shiprock (Archived 2009-05-16). The Gallup Independent