JoAnn Jayne
JoAnn Jayne is an American and Navajo politician and attorney from Montana, who served as a Democratic member of the Montana House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009.
JoAnn Jayne | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation | |
| Assumed office January 24, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas J. Holgate (acting) Herb Yazzie |
| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 15th district | |
| In office January 1, 2001 – January 5, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Rick Jore |
| Succeeded by | Frosty Boss Ribs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1957 (age 66–67) New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Harley Tanner |
| Residence | Arlee, Montana |
| Alma mater | University of Montana |
| Occupation | attorney |
She served as Justice of the Peace in Lake and Sanders County, Montana counties from 2012 to 2014. Jayne was the Democratic nominee in 2008 and 2012 for District Court Judge for Sanders and Lake counties. In 2012, she lost her bid for election after plagiarism charges regarding her application surfaced. She was also accused of illegal campaign practices by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, but was not formally charged. She had worked for them as an attorney from 1998 to 2000.
In 2018, Jayne was confirmed as Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation, succeeding Thomas J. Holgate and becoming the first non-acting chief justice since Herb Yazzie in 2015.