A view of the Navajo Nation Council chambers in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo from Facebook

The Navajo Nation Council on Thursday failed to override a veto on a bill that would have eased language requirements for presidential candidates.

The council came up three votes short in its effort to enact Bill 0298-14 into law. President Ben Shelly vetoed the measure last month, effectively ending the campaign of former presidential candidate Chris Deschene, who is not as fluent in the Navajo language as he'd like to be.

Navajo Nation presidential candidate Russell Begaye and his running mate, Jonathan Nez. Photo from Facebook

Meanwhile, the candidate who replaced Deschene on the ballot confronted a challenge to his candidacy. The Office of Hearings and Appeals heard arguments yesterday on a petition that questions the "unswerving loyalty" of Russell Begaye due to his connection to lawsuit that challenged the tribe's jurisdiction.

We think this is a smear campaign that’s hoping that maybe something will stick,” Begaye's attorney told the court, the Associated Press reported. A rival candidate filed the petition.

Joe Shirley Jr., right, and his running mate, Dineh Benally. Photo from Twitter

Begaye is due to face Joe Shirley Jr., a former president, in a special election on December 23. The vote was supposed to take place November 4 but legal issues involving Deschene forced a delay.

The winner of the election will serve a four-year term.

Get the Story:
Veto override fails in Navajo language-requirement dispute (12 News 11/14)
Navajo Nation Council fails to override language veto (The Farmington Daily Times 11/14)
Challenges continue in Navajo president’s race (AP 11/14)

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation Council to consider language requirement veto (11/13)
Navajo Nation schedules December 23 presidential election (11/10)
Navajo Nation candidate Russell Begaye names running mate (11/6)
Petition seeks removal of Navajo Nation presidential hopeful (11/4)
Andrew Curley: Election flap exposes troubles in Navajo Nation (11/3)
Navajo Nation postpones presidential vote as legal drama ends (11/3)
Chris Deschene still urging Navajo Nation voters to choose him (10/30)
Navajo Nation president vetoes bill to address language issue (10/29)
Navajo Nation election officials refuse to delay upcoming vote (10/28)
Navajo Nation candidate Chris Deschene won't halt campaign (10/24)
Navajo Nation's top court orders new ballots without candidate (10/23)
Christopher Chavis: Navajo court got it wrong in fluency case (10/22)
Navajo Nation presidential hopeful to be removed from ballot (10/22)
Navajo Nation court still mulling decision in presidential case (10/21)
Top Navajo Nation court holds hearing in presidential dispute (10/20)
Navajo presidential candidate Chris Deschene stays on ballot (10/14)
Navajo presidential candidate to dispute removal from ballot (10/10)
Navajo presidential candidate loses ruling over language ability (10/9)
Navajo Nation won't delay election despite presidential dispute (10/2)
Navajo presidential candidate in doubt over fluency in language (9/29)
Navajo Nation might postpone election due to legal challenge (9/25)
Navajo Nation court to hear language issue affecting candidate (9/24)
Appeal filed over Navajo language ability of presidential hopeful (9/17)
Navajo Nation presidential candidate a target over fluency issue (09/11)
Navajo voters oust incumbent president Ben Shelly in primary (08/27)