FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 7/22/2025
CONTACT: [email protected]
Former President of Navajo Nation would be the first Native American to represent Arizona in Congress
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — Support is already pouring in for former Navajo Nation President and rural Arizona leader Jonathan Nez’s historic run for Arizona’s second congressional district.
Three statewide elected officials – Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Attorney General Kris Mayes – and Arizona House Representatives Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari are throwing their support behind President Nez on Day 1 of his campaign.
“Arizonans who are working hard to get by deserve leaders who work just as hard for them in Washington. Jonathan Nez, former President of the Navajo Nation, is exactly that kind of leader. He listens to people, and he solves problems because he cares about families in rural Arizona,” said Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. “I was in the Navy for 25 years, and I’ve been in the Senate for a few years, so I’ve seen examples of strong leadership, and I’ve seen examples of bad leadership. A few weeks ago, we saw bad leadership when Eli Crane voted to cut Arizonans’ healthcare and threaten rural hospitals to help pay for a tax cut for billionaires. We need Jonathan Nez in Congress to help undo that damage, protect our healthcare, and preserve our access to clean water. He’s got my full support.”
“Jonathan Nez is a proven leader who has spent his life fighting for Native communities, protecting our public lands, and standing up for the people of Northern Arizona. I’m proud to support him because Arizona needs a fighter in Congress who knows how to advocate and deliver for rural and tribal communities. Jonathan has the experience and vision to take on Eli Crane and deliver real results for Arizona’s future,” said Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego.
“”As Attorney General it’s my job to prevent corporations from taking advantage of Arizonans, whether it’s combating collusion on rent hikes, preventing harmful mergers or fighting scams against the elderly. Families already struggle with the high cost of food, gas, electricity and even water,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. “I’ve seen Jonathan Nez at work, and he has stepped up again and again to help Arizonans afford critical needs. He’s brought resources to Northern Arizona to install high speed internet, improve access to electricity, and bring down those costs. He’s also been a very strong negotiator when it comes to protecting our water rights. I’m proud to support him as he runs for Congress.”
“I am proud to endorse President Jonathan Nez for Congress,” said Stanton. “As the President of Navajo Nation, President Nez lowered costs, secured water rights, increased access to health care, and invested in rural infrastructure. He has a history of bringing both parties to get things done, and that’s exactly what we need more of in Congress,” said Representative Greg Stanton.
“Jonathan Nez knows Arizona’s Second Congressional District and the families that live there. He understands what they care about and what they’re worried about, from the rising cost of housing to coming cuts to healthcare. Eli Crane isn’t the swamp drainer he ran on being–he’s just a lapdog for his DC party bosses who doesn’t even live in the district. Jonathan Nez is a man of character, and he’ll work hard on behalf of Arizonans. I’m proud to endorse him and to stand with him,” said Representative Yassamin Ansari.
If elected, Nez would be the first Native American congressperson from Arizona. Home to 14 of the 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona, nearly 20% of people living in AZ-02 are Native American.
“I’m humbled and grateful to have earned endorsements from Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Ruben Gallego, Attorney General Kris Mayes, and House Representatives Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari,” said Nez. “This campaign is about putting rural Arizonans first. As President of the Navajo Nation, I worked across the aisle to deliver for our rural communities, from clean drinking water to improved infrastructure. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to Congress.”
President Nez is challenging MAGA extremist Eli Crane, whose recent votes to gut Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona) and slash funding for public media will disproportionately harm rural Arizonans. Multiple health care facilities, including hospitals in Globe, Page, and Winslow, could be forced to shut down because of Crane’s decision to gut health care to fund tax breaks for billionaires. Radio stations that provide critical information to rural Arizonans could also shutter because of Crane’s consistent catering to DC party bosses over his district.
ABOUT JONATHAN NEZ: Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, the 2024 Democratic nominee for Congress in AZ-02, grew up in rural Arizona, helping his family run a ranch without running water or electricity. Nez began his career in public service in his community of Shonto on the Navajo Nation, serving in a number of positions before being elected President of the Navajo Nation in 2018. Today, Jonathan lives in Flagstaff with his wife Phefelia and their two boys.
