John Russell Jr. is a contractor by trade running for Navajo Nation President. His interview with Cal Nez was strongest on economic development and construction — his own field — and on the failed Zinni Homes deal, while he was candid about being unfamiliar with several governance and policy specifics. (Portions of the recording were difficult to hear.) Below are the questions Cal asked, short summaries of Russell's answers in our own words, and follow-ups a voter might still want answered.
Watch or read the full interview, and see the scorecard, on John Russell Jr.’s profile. This page is a nonpartisan summary; the Diné Civic Center does not endorse any candidate.
Russell framed his platform around remaking the administration across all three branches, a pay increase, and bringing skilled and highly educated Navajos — including scientists — back to design and build for the Nation; he also named the Land Board and veterans among his priorities.
As a contractor, Russell argued the Nation should build its own capacity rather than import firms like James Construction or LTA — the tradesmen and skills already exist on the Nation, with many driving hours off-reservation for work. He questioned enterprise pricing (citing a roughly $70,000 figure for a small restroom addition) and said NECA doesn't build houses.
Russell said he predicted the Zinni Homes failure from the start — no one could build 600 homes in a month — and that the company took the money and disappeared; he would instead build trailers and homes with Navajo welders and labor. He also questioned why NAPI and the casinos benefit outside owners while Navajos are “middle persons.”
Russell was candid that he isn't familiar with 638 and would research it before answering; on health care generally he emphasized getting the right doctors, nurses, and staff in place and running the system on the Nation's own terms.
Russell would build Navajo veteran hospitals across the five agencies so veterans don't have to travel to Salt Lake, Denver, or Phoenix, with federal and state support.
Russell said Navajo tradition is important to bring into the three-branch government, would pay educated Navajos (master's and doctorate holders) according to their skills, and spoke candidly about the broadband gap from his own area's experience with an unreliable nearby tower.
Topics a voter in this district might still want to hear about:
Not a judgment of this candidate — just what a specific, substantive answer includes, so you can weigh any candidate’s response: