“David vs Goliath”: Poll Shows Jonathan Nez Leading Congressman Eli Crane in Trump +15 District

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - A newly reported PollVault/Emerson poll conducted October 12–14 shows Jonathan Nez leading incumbent Congressman Eli Crane, 50% to 48%.

“This is a very good example of a ‘David vs Goliath’. I’m a sheepherder, I grew up on the Navajo Nation without running water or electricity. Now, the funders, the elite, those that are supporting my opponent are scared because once he gets defeated, we’re going to reveal all the corruption that’s happening in this country,” Nez proclaimed during a Wednesday interview with Kristen Welker on NBC News’ Meet the Press NOW.

GOP super PACs are scrambling to save Congressman Eli Crane’s reelection campaign, flooding a district Donald Trump won by 15 points with over $3 million in outside spending, while the grassroots campaign of Jonathan Nez has received over 75,000 unique donors.

Nez was one of the top 10 overperformers of the 2024 election cycle – in ranks with Mary Peltola, Kristen McDonald-Rivet and Pat Ryan – and is on offense in the closing days of this campaign.

“The Goliath here is the megadonors and the corporate elite in this country,” Nez said during a nationally-aired radio interview with Tavis Smiley on Tuesday. “And we can defeat Goliath.”

The contrast is clear: Crane’s campaign is being desperately propped up by millions from GOP super PACs, while Nez has built a grassroots campaign focused on Arizona’s water crisis, fighting corruption, and lowering costs for working families.

“We were able to secure water rights, working with Republicans, working across the aisle, working with everybody … to make sure that we get the water that we deserve,” said Nez during an interview with national publication The LA Globe. His record of working across party lines to secure water rights has become a cornerstone of his campaign.

From Punchbowl News’ AM newsletter on Wednesday:

Although Crane’s rural district went for Trump by 15 points in 2024, the MAGA Inc.-aligned No Going Back PAC is spending millions of dollars in this race.

“As I go throughout the district right now and ask people, ‘Do you feel like America’s first?’, not one person has said yes,” 2nd District Democratic candidate Jonathan Nez told us. “They feel forgotten. They feel lied to.”

SEE ALSO:

• Jonathan Nez Website: Warrior Up Agenda