Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez officially congratulated president-elect Donald Trump on his historic victory on Election Night.

In one of the tightest races in history Republican businessman Donald Trump edged out former secretary of state Democrat Hillary Clinton.

During the 2012 presidential election Trump had derided the Electoral College as an outdated relic from a bygone era. On November 8 it proved his savior. While Trump won enough states to garner the 270 Electoral College votes needed to claim victory, the former reality television star lost the popular vote to the former first lady.

The last president to enter the White House after losing the popular vote was George W. Bush in 2000.

“We need to have faith that the Trump-Pence administration will continue to work with tribes in a nation to nation, government to government basis,” Begaye said in a statement Wednesday.

Begaye noted how Trump’s victory speech stressed his desire to be a president for everyone.

The often bitter presidential race is over and Trump has won, Nez said. Now Native leaders must work with Trump and hold him to his promise to work for unity, he added.

Nez was one of Clinton’s earliest supporters. Begaye didn’t endorse her until late-October.

The Navajo Nation will continue to work toward economic growth, more educational opportunity and improving its infrastructure, Nez said.