Buu Nygren has been elected as the new president of the Navajo Nation, and his running mate, Richelle Montoya, became the first female vice president in the tribe’s history.
In a nonpartisan election, Nygren promised he’d increase the pace of tribal government and the time frame of infrastructure projects, according to Indian Country Today.
“I’ve said it time and time again, that we want to do the things that are tough,” he said in the tribal capital of Window Rock.
With all 110 precincts turning in results, Nygren had a lead of about 3,500 votes in an election that drew more than 50 percent of the registered voters on November 8.
The 35-year old Nygren, whose background is in construction management, has never held elected office before.
“I’m used to being held accountable in every job,” Nygren, a tribal vice presidential candidate in 2018, said ahead of Tuesday’s election. “I’m taking that approach, if I don’t perform, I have no business being here.”
With a population of 400,000, the Navajos rank second only to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, but have the largest land mass at 27,000 square miles within three states.
Nygren and Montoya take office in January.
After years as a community leader, county supervisor, council delegate and vice president, Nez became president and in his bid to retain the position, pledged continuity as his message. Nez said a $1 billion in coronavirus relief earmarked for infrastructure would lead to economic development, even bringing Navajos back to the reservation.
The tribe had one of the highest pandemic infection rates in the nation which highlighted the lack of running water, electricity and broadband.
The Navajo Nation owns a stake in one coal plant and some coal mines but has pushed lately for development of renewable energy sources.
