The family moved to Kenai, Alaska, when he was an infant, where they established themselves in the business community.
At first, the family opened up a grocery store, then branched out into an auto service business and fast food franchising, both of which currently operate locations across Alaska.
Navarre later returned to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Eastern Washington University in 1983.
He chaired the House Finance Committee for several years and was Majority Leader from 1989 until 1991.
[4] In 1996, Navarre successfully ran for mayor of Kenai Peninsula Borough, before being defeated by Dale Bagley in 1999.