Jonathan Nez Aims to Flip Arizona’s GOP-Leaning 2nd District

Jonathan Nez Eyes Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District in a Tight Race

Jonathan Nez, former President of the Navajo Nation, is again setting his sights on Arizona’s predominantly Republican Second Congressional District. Previously, Nez faced a setback when he lost to Republican Congressman Eli Crane by a margin of 9 points in the 2024 elections. However, current polls suggest a much closer contest this time.

Nez is optimistic, believing a shift in the national political climate could favor Democrats in the upcoming election. He argues that the past two years under Republican leadership in Congress and the White House have left many voters dissatisfied. “You could call it buyer’s remorse. You could call it broken promises. People were looking forward to America being first. But let me ask folks out there that are listening, do you feel like America’s first right now?” Nez remarked to KNAU. He cited rising costs of living, exacerbated by international conflicts like the war with Iran, as concerns for voters.

Nez holds Crane partly accountable for these economic issues, accusing him of supporting policies that have not benefited the public. Despite being a former U.S. Navy SEAL, Crane has shown ambivalence regarding the ongoing war, as noted by the Payson Roundup. Crane is on record stating, “I did vote for President Trump because he has so far done a good job of keeping us out of long, never-ending wars, and I’m just hoping this one wraps up quickly.” The Republican campaign did not respond to KNAU’s repeated interview requests.

Nez criticizes Crane’s voting record, particularly his support for President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which, while aimed at cutting taxes and reducing costs for working families, also imposed significant Medicaid cuts. These cuts could disproportionately affect rural communities, according to experts and a KFF analysis predicting a $137 billion loss for rural health providers over a decade.

Despite these cuts, the bill allocated $50 billion in state grants to mitigate its impact on rural healthcare, with Arizona receiving $167 million in funds. Yet, Nez emphasizes widespread voter concern over healthcare coverage.

Nez also addresses topics uniting constituents across party lines, such as opposition to expansive data center projects and the use of AI license plate cameras, which raises privacy concerns. “We also need to recognize that we live in this great democracy and privacy is very important,” Nez stated. He also claims Crane prioritizes the interests of the wealthy over the needs of local constituents, asserting, “The 1%, the ultra-wealthy in this country, control a lot. And they’re making record profits on the backs of hardworking Americans.”

With over two decades in tribal and local politics, Nez boasts a significant political background, including serving as Navajo Nation President and on the Navajo Nation Council. Should he win, Nez would be the first Native American to represent Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, the race remains challenging for Nez, given the Cook Political Report’s prediction of a likely Republican win. A GBAO poll shows Crane leading Nez by a narrow 2%, within the margin of error.

Registered voters in the district are heavily Republican, with nearly 40% identifying with the GOP, while 27% are Democrats. The election’s outcome may hinge on the 30% of registered independents.