Nez Highlights Plan for Rural Arizona, Crane Once Again Doesn’t Show Up to Answer Tough Q’s

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Jonathan Nez took the stage yesterday at the AZ Clean Elections debate to outline his record of delivering for Arizona and his vision for the future of AZ-02, highlighting his experience working across party lines and the policies he will fight for once elected to Congress.

He began by thanking veterans for their service and outlining that many Americans are frustrated with the current political climate. “(People are concerned about) the high costs of fuel, high cost of goods and services,” said Nez. “We need a congressman in Washington, DC, that will stand up for hardworking Arizonans.”

He ended by expressing the defining word of his campaign: Warrior. “I've always fought for the people I've served, no matter if they are Democrat or Republican,” said Nez. “We’re all five-finger beings, we say in Navajo. That means advocating for everybody.”

A man guided by faith, Nez reminded viewers that “In James 1:27 in the Bible, it says we were supposed to help our widows and orphans. … We should be supporting those people that are having a tough time.”

Congressman Eli Crane, meanwhile, skipped the debate, once again refusing to face questions from the constituents he represents.

“I’m not surprised Congressman Crane didn’t show up to the debate because he’s never shown up for AZ-02,” said Nez. “After making our prices skyrocket, abandoning us in water discussions, supporting ‘forever wars,’ and taking away our healthcare, it makes sense why he didn’t want to face questions from his constituents. This is classic Crane: break promises, blame everyone else, then dodge the heat.”

The event would have been a debate between Nez and Crane, however, Crane’s absence made it a one-on-one discussion with the former Navajo Nation President. Crane has never attended a debate, skipped the 2024 offer from the same organization, and frequently dodges the media.

While Crane was busy cozying up to the billionaires who fund his campaign, Nez was given the stage to outline some of his greatest achievements, as well as his policy initiatives he will take once he’s elected.

On Arizona’s water crisis

Nez emphasized his experiences traveling around the district to various drinking water sources, such as Roosevelt Lake and Lake Powell, and seeing how severe the drought is.

As Navajo Nation President, Nez worked across the aisle – specifically with Republicans John McCain, Spencer Cox, and Mitt Romney – to deliver fresh water to thousands of residents despite the risk of drought.

 “The first thing a congressman should do is be at the table for these discussions. My opponent has yet to be at the table for these discussions. … Being a facilitator means bringing people to the table and having a frank discussion about our future,” said Nez. “More water coming into Arizona is better for the people of Arizona. And again, I've had that experience of fighting for our fair share of water and just working across the aisle … and I'm not afraid to push back on my party.”

On bipartisanship

Nez took time to speak about his unique ability to work across the aisle to get things done for his constituents.
Specifically, he mentioned his experience as Navajo Nation President signing water rights agreements with Republicans Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Nez made clear that bipartisanship is the only way to get things done in politics.

"I'm not afraid to push back on my party,” said Nez. "This election shouldn't be about party politics, Republicans and Democrats. It's about the divide between the ultra-wealthy, the billionaires of this country, and the hard-working people of this country and the state of Arizona."

On representing local municipalities

Nez made clear that he works for the people he represents, not the billionaire class that Crane only cares about.

“If local municipalities and townships are saying (they want something), that should be our marching order in Washington D.C. to make sure there's local control,” said Nez. “Local elected leaders know best for the people in their areas.”

On ‘America First’

A staple of Crane’s 2024 campaign was the idea of ‘America First.’ Then he voted to gut medicare, take away food stamps, add trillions to the national debt, continue a deadly war, raise gas prices, and protect the most influential people in the Epstein files.

“The last election there was a big emphasis on ‘America first,’” said Nez during the debate. “Ladies and gentlemen, do you feel like America is first right now?”

SEE ALSO:

• AZCentral: Democratic US House hopeful Jonathan Nez outlines 'Warrior Up' agenda (9/10/26)
  

• AZCentral: Eli Crane opponent Jonathan Nez outlines 'Warrior Up' agenda at forum (9/10/26)