APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. — Navajo Nation First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren is making history as the first woman and Indigenous person to hold the Apache County attorney position. Besides being the First Lady of the Navajo Nation, she is also a former state representative.
Apache County Supervisors voted for Blackwater-Nygren with two yes votes and one no. She was officially sworn into the position on Dec. 16.
Blackwater-Nygren’s appointment comes after the Arizona State Board suspended former Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting’s law license on Nov. 1.
Despite the suspension, Whiting still won reelection during the 2024 General Election on Nov. 5.
Whiting is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly misused public funds and threatened a political opponent. He faces a total of nine counts, including:
According to the Arizona Family, supervisors raised concerns over conflict of interest in Blackwater-Nygren’s First Lady position and the challenges of her residing three and a half hours away in Red Mesa, Ariz., near the Utah border.
Blackwater-Nygren said there’s no reason she can’t recuse herself from any conflict of interest, and she and her husband spend a lot of their time in Window Rock, which will keep her close to the office in St. Johns, Ariz.
“Every single one of us has a conflict as individuals; we have relatives, we have partners, we have spouses, we have businesses, we have colleagues,” she said. “So, I think that it’s important to remember that just because I’m married to the President of the Navajo Nation doesn’t mean that I’m any less qualified. It doesn’t mean that I can’t recuse myself should there be any conflicts with the nation.”
In her speech to the supervisors and public, she stated her top priorities are the county’s safety, filling all staff positions, and establishing morale in the office.
She said she’s ready to improve the county attorney’s office after the turmoil with Whiting over the past few months.
“I’m going to take over the office, and I’m going to do my best to recruit new faces to the office,” she said. “Maybe some possible people who have worked there might come back. We’re going to see what that recruitment process looks like. But I definitely want to let everyone know I’m here for them, and I’m looking forward to it.”
In a Dec. 16 press release Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren congratulated his wife.
“Jasmine is an extraordinary mother to our two daughters, but she also continues to break barriers and inspire countless individuals with her courage, determination, and leadership,” he said. “More than half of Apache County is the Navajo Nation, and I know she will be a powerful voice for our people, ensuring that the Diné are rightfully represented in all matters of justice and governance.”
