Jonathan Nez

Jonathan Nez is the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, a rematch with Republican incumbent Eli Crane, who beat him in 2024. A former Navajo Nation vice president and president, he is running on lowering costs, water and rural infrastructure, and accountability in Washington.[1][2][4]

Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, Arizona.[1][2][3] His campaign website says he grew up "on dirt floors without electricity or running water."[2] He attended Northland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration.[3]

Nez began his political career as vice president of the Shonto Chapter and was later elected to three terms as a Navajo Nation Council delegate representing the Shonto, Oljato, Tsah Bii' Kin and Navajo Mountain chapters. He also served two terms on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors for District 1.[3] He left the board after being asked to run with Russell Begaye for the Navajo Nation's top offices; the two were elected on April 21, 2015, and took office on May 12, 2015.[3] Nez was elected Navajo Nation president in November 2018 and served from 2019 to 2023, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In August 2020 he was one of 17 Democrats chosen to share the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.[1][6] He was also one of Arizona's presidential electors in 2020. In November 2022 he lost his bid for a second term to Buu Nygren.[5][7]

Nez ran for Congress in Arizona's 2nd District in 2024, losing to Crane with 45.5 percent of the vote to Crane's 54.5 percent.[4] He announced a second run on July 22, 2025, and advanced from the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary.[1][8][7] His campaign website says that as Navajo Nation president he worked with the Trump administration to expand water rights for rural Arizona.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.