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Meet Nez

Born in Tuba City Arizona and raised in Shonto Arizona, Jonathan Nez, is Áshįįhí (Salt People) born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan). His maternal grandfather’s clan is Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and his paternal grandfather’s clan is Táchii’nii (Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan).

At the age of 29, Nez began his career in public service as the Vice President of the Shonto Chapter on the Navajo Nation. Passionate about serving his community, he went on to serve on the Navajo Nation Council and the County Board of Supervisors before eventually being elected Vice President of the Navajo Nation in 2015.

In 2019, he was elected President of the Navajo Nation and served until 2023. As president, he led the Navajo people through the COVID-19 pandemic, secured funds to construct new healthcare facilities and homes for veterans, invested in public safety and hired new police officers, and bolstered infrastructure, improving rural roads and bringing clean water and electricity to thousands of previously unserved residents.

No stranger to the struggles so many in the Second District face, Nez overcame an alcohol addiction as a young man and has seen firsthand how addiction can hurt whole communities. With the help of his faith and his family, he set his life on a new course and dedicated his career to public service.

Experienced in cultivating relationships with government leaders, Nez is a coalition builder who will bring commonsense problem-solving to Washington, putting the needs of rural Arizonans over DC politics.

In Congress, Nez is committed to reforming government and holding Washington accountable to working Arizonans, creating jobs, cutting high gas and food costs, supporting Arizona veterans, and protecting the right to choose.

On the Issues

Putting the needs of rural Arizonans over DC politics

Democracy and Voting Rights

On the Navajo Nation, and on many tribal lands in Arizona, voting is already hard, and Arizona is still ground zero for attacks on election security. Jonathan believes participating in our democracy is not only our right but our responsibility. In Congress, he’ll stand up to partisan attacks on mail-in voting and Arizona’s time-tested election infrastructure.

Immigration

Our broken immigration system undermines our national security, hurts our trade economy, and puts Arizona families in danger. We need comprehensive reform that invests in 21st-century security technology, hires more border agents and caseworkers, and establishes a fair pathway to citizenship for those who work hard and play by the rules.

Lowering costs

Be it child care, housing, groceries, or health care, rural Arizonans are still paying too much for the things they need to live. Jonathan believes we need to take commonsense steps to fight inflation, cut costs, and get Arizona families back on their feet.

Opioid crisis

As a young man, Jonathan overcame addiction and restarted his life. He’s seen firsthand the devastation the opioid crisis has had on rural and tribal Arizona and the drastic drop in interest in this crisis from Washington elites. He knows this is an ongoing problem – we need real resources to fight this epidemic.

Protecting Arizona’s Water and Climate

Arizonans are at the forefront of climate change. Drought, wildfires, and rising temperatures worsen every year. Jonathan is committed to securing Arizona’s water future and making sure our state’s environment can keep up with our growth.

Putting Arizonans first

From making sure infrastructure dollars reach our outdated roads to improving flood control projects to opening new community centers, Jonathan believes rural Arizona is at an exciting crossroads, where real change is possible. In Congress, Jonathan will fight to ensure we get our fair share of resources and put the needs of rural Arizona ahead of partisan politics to deliver meaningful change.