Jonathan Nez

Nygren beat out incumbent President Jonathan Nez in the tribe's general election by about 3,500 votes. At 36, he will be the youngest to hold the tribal presidency and has never held political office.

At the first in-person summit on tribal affairs in six years, President Joe Biden said he'll foster “respect for Indigenous knowledge and tribal consultations” in government decision-making.

Nygren ousted incumbent President Jonathan Nez in the tribe's election Tuesday. Nez had guided the tribe during the pandemic and signed off on a plan for much-needed infrastructure using federal virus relief funding.

Unofficial results from the tribe’s election office show Nygren defeated Nez in the nonpartisan race Tuesday.

Tribal President Jonathan Nez met Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, with Navajo Nation police, the FBI and prosecutors in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah for the plan’s signing ceremony.