Jonathan Nez Announces Second Congressional Bid for Arizona’s Second District
In a move that sets the stage for a political rematch, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has declared his intention to run again for a seat in Arizona’s Second Congressional District in 2026. This marks his second attempt to unseat Republican Representative Eli Crane, representing an area that includes areas such as Flagstaff, Prescott, and a significant portion of the Navajo Nation.
Nez, a Democrat, emphasized his previous leadership experience as Navajo Nation President, where he worked to provide water security and reduce costs in Northern Arizona. He stated, “As Navajo Nation President, I worked across the aisle to deliver water security and lower prices for Northern Arizona, and that’s the kind of leadership we need in Congress.” He further criticized Rep. Crane, saying, “The only thing Crane has fought for since taking office is taking money from our hardworking families to give to billionaires. Mr. Crane has betrayed us.”
The former president outlined concerns about the impact of Crane’s support for cuts to Medicaid, hospitals, and public media, including tribal radio stations, which he believes will adversely affect the district. He added, “Eli Crane voted to gut Arizonans’ health care and take food off our tables—all to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.” Nez highlighted that nearly one-third of the district’s residents rely on Medicaid, known locally as AHCCCS, warning that potential hospital closures could occur in towns like Page, Winslow, and Globe.
Should he succeed, Nez would become Arizona’s first Indigenous member of Congress. Raised in the Shonto community, he lived on a family ranch without electricity or running water and held the position of Navajo Nation President from 2019 to 2023.
Arizona’s Second Congressional District is home to 14 tribes, with Native Americans making up nearly 20% of the population. Despite Nez’s strong ties to the community, Crane defeated him by a margin of almost 10% in the previous election. Crane’s campaign has expressed readiness for another electoral battle.
In response to Nez’s announcement, Rep. Crane remarked, “The Democratic Party has no leader, no message, no policy agenda, and no candidates. They’ve resigned themselves to the same old, tired talking points being spewed by the same old extreme liberals. They have hit rock bottom, which is exactly where they found Jonathan Nez—still licking his wounds after learning the hard way rural Arizona does not want to be represented by a never-Trump radical.”
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