Members of the Navajo Nation elected Ben Shelly as president despite a criminal case against him and his running mate.

Shelly is the first vice president in tribal history to win a campaign for president, the Associated Press reported. He defeated Lynda Lovejoy, who wanted to be the first woman to lead the largest tribe in the U.S.

"I've been campaigning, and this is what I wanted. With the help of the people and their votes, I got it," Shelly said at his victory speech, the AP reported.

Shelly and his running mate, Rex Lee Jim, a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council, are being accused of misusing discretionary funds. Shelly is a former council delegate.

Shelly is confident that the charges will be dismissed. He has called the investigation "political."

Get the Story:
Navajos elect tribe's vice president to top post (AP 11/3)

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