PRESS RELEASE
Former Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg Endorses Jonathan Nez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 6/1/2026
FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today endorsed Jonathan Nez in Arizona’s Second Congressional District, citing Nez’s leadership on rural infrastructure, tribal communities, and building an economy that works for all Arizonans.
“President Nez is a proven leader who brings people together to deliver real results,” said Buttigieg. “During my time leading the U.S. Department of Transportation, I worked with him to improve infrastructure for Arizona's tribal communities and rural areas. He knows how to advocate for better roads, water infrastructure, broadband, and economic opportunity in places too often overlooked by Washington. Arizona needs and deserves his leadership in Congress.”
As President of the Navajo Nation, Nez worked closely with Sec. Buttigieg and the federal government to secure investments in roads, bridges, broadband, and transportation infrastructure throughout tribal and rural communities.
“I’m very grateful to have Secretary Buttigieg’s support,” said Nez. “Sec. Pete believes, as I do, that Americans are tired of partisan games and deserve real results to lower costs and build a future where all Americans can succeed. We worked together to push for infrastructure investments that created jobs, improved public safety, and strengthened rural and tribal communities. In Congress, I’ll continue fighting to make sure rural Arizona families aren’t left behind.”
The endorsement adds to growing momentum behind Nez’s campaign as he builds a grassroots coalition focused on affordability, infrastructure, water security, and restoring trust in government.
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. He is running for Congress to lower costs for families, deliver water security to all Arizonans, and give rural Arizonans a voice in Congress. He lives in Flagstaff with his wife, Phefelia, and their two boys.