Born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, Arizona, Jonathan Nez is Áshįįhí (Salt People) born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan).

About Jonathan Nez

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Northland Pioneer College and his Masters of Public Administration degree from Northern Arizona University.

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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.

Congressman Eli “High Costs” Crane Refuses to Hold Arizona Townhalls

Jonathan Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, Arizona. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Northland Pioneer College and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Arizona University. He lives in Flagstaff with his wife, Phefelia, and their two children.

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.

Jonathan Nez began his career in public service in Shonto on the Navajo Nation.

Jonathan Nez began his public service career in the Shonto community on the Navajo Nation.

Jonathan Nez is the current president of the Navajo Nation, having taken office on January 15, 2019. He was elected to the position in the 2018 election, succeeding Russell Begaye.

Jonathan Nez - Ballotpedia

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.

He was elected to the position in the 2018 election, succeeding Russell Begaye. Nez previously served as the vice president of the Navajo Nation from 2015 to 2019.

President Nez was also elected as a District 1 supervisor for the Navajo County Board of Supervisors and served two terms.

He was later elected to serve three terms as a Navajo Nation council delegate, representing the communities of Shonto, Oljato, Tsah Bii Kin, and Navajo Mountain.

Jonathan previously served as president of the Navajo Nation after being elected in 2018. He previously served as vice president of the Navajo Nation from 2015 to 2019. He was elected as a District 1 supervisor on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors and served two terms, and he served three terms as a Navajo Nation council delegate representing Shonto, Oljato, Tsah Bii Kin, and Navajo Mountain.

2026 Arizona General Election

“This Labor Day, I express my support and gratitude for American workers and unions, who are the backbone of this country,” said Nez. “I’m proud to stand with the men and women who build our communities, keep our economy moving, and fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and greater opportunity. When elected to Congress, I will make American employees a focus of my efforts as I work to lower inflation, support small businesses, and expand opportunities for working families.”

Jonathan Nez Reaffirms Commitment to Arizona Workers, Labor Unions Ahead of Labor Day

In Congress, his Warrior Up Agenda calls for reversing erratic tariff policies that have increased the cost of groceries, household supplies, and other goods; expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural communities; and improving small businesses’ access to loans and capital, particularly in rural Arizona communities that get left behind.

“Working Arizonans struggling to afford the basics should be the ones getting tax breaks, not massive data centers that are raising our utility bills while making our water crisis even worse,” said Nez. “One of my first acts as Congressman will be to introduce a bill clawing back the billions in tax breaks Eli Crane and DC politicians gave to big data centers, selling Arizona out. I will use that money to invest in water conservation technologies and a working-class tax cut, the way it should be spent. My entire life I have fought to protect Arizona’s most precious resource, water, and I won’t ever stop.”

Nez Pledges to Introduce Legislation to Claw Back OBBBA Tax Breaks for Data Centers

Supports workers and unions and plans to prioritize efforts to lower inflation, support small businesses, and expand opportunities for working families.

Calls for reversing tariff policies that the campaign says have increased consumer costs.

Advocates for expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural communities.

Advocates improving access to loans and capital for rural small businesses.

Plans to introduce legislation repealing data-center tax breaks and use the money for water-conservation technologies and a working-class tax cut.

- Supports workers and unions and plans to prioritize efforts to lower inflation, support small businesses, and expand opportunities for working families.
- Calls for reversing tariff policies that the campaign says have increased consumer costs.
- Advocates for expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural communities.
- Advocates improving access to loans and capital for rural small businesses.
- Plans to introduce legislation repealing data-center tax breaks and use the money for water-conservation technologies and a working-class tax cut.

Economy

As of October 11, 2026, Jonathan Nez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

“Growing up on the Navajo Nation, Head Start gave me access to early education that my family otherwise could not afford. As a low-income family, this program provided opportunities that shaped my future. Later, as a leader of the Navajo Nation, I fought to protect Head Start funding and ensure children and families had access to these critical resources,” said Nez. “Gutting Head Start would harm thousands of children and make it even harder for low-income families to access quality education. Education should not be a partisan issue. Every child deserves the same opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed that I was fortunate to receive.”

Jonathan Nez Defends Head Start Amid Proposed Cuts

Opposes cuts to Head Start and supports funding to preserve early-education access for children and families.

- Opposes cuts to Head Start and supports funding to preserve early-education access for children and families.

Education

Statement from Jonathan Nez, Candidate for Congress, AZ-02: “The statements from President Trump directed at Pope Leo XIV are deeply concerning and do nothing to bring people together or work toward a peaceful solution in the Middle East. In a time when our military servicemen are putting their lives on the line, our leaders must choose unity, respect, and prayer over division.

We can disagree on foreign policy without undermining faith and dignity. The ongoing conflict in Iran demands thoughtful leadership, diplomacy, and a commitment to protecting all human life. I commend Pope Leo’s calls for peace and reconciliation. As Pope Leo has reminded all of us and the bible says, ‘Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be the Children of God (Matthew 5:9).’

Our leaders have a responsibility to lessen the public anger, respect one another, and work toward solutions that reflect our shared humanity.”

Jonathan Nez Responds to President Trump’s Statements Regarding Pope Leo XIV

Calls for diplomacy, peace, and protection of human life in response to the conflict in Iran.

- Calls for diplomacy, peace, and protection of human life in response to the conflict in Iran.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Nez will bring that same commitment and be a Water Warrior for Arizona in Congress. As rural Arizona’s congressman, Nez will fight for the resources to modernize Arizona’s water systems, replace aging Arizona water infrastructure, and protect Arizona’s water rights.

Jonathan Nez: Arizona’s Water Isn’t Just a Worry, It’s a Crisis. Eli Crane Has Failed Us.

Technology should be used to protect Arizona’s water, not drain even more of it. In Congress, Nez will introduce legislation clawing back billions of dollars in tax breaks for data centers in the OBBBA. He’ll demand strict rules protecting water and consumer utility costs for big data centers built across this country, while fighting for investments in technologies that help conserve Arizona’s water.

Plans to seek resources to modernize Arizona water systems, replace aging water infrastructure, and protect Arizona water rights.

Plans to propose data-center rules that protect water supplies and consumer utility costs while investing in water-conservation technologies.

- Plans to seek resources to modernize Arizona water systems, replace aging water infrastructure, and protect Arizona water rights.
- Plans to propose data-center rules that protect water supplies and consumer utility costs while investing in water-conservation technologies.

Energy & the Environment

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In Congress, Nez will bring that same problem-solving approach — working with both parties to lower costs and invest in Arizona’s water systems, roads, and bridges.

Born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, Arizona, Jonathan Nez is Áshįįhí (Salt People) born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan).

About Jonathan Nez — Jonathan Nez for Congress

He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Navajo citizens, including efforts in education, health care, and economic development. Nez has also focused on environmental issues and the preservation of Navajo culture and language. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico and has worked in various capacities within the Navajo Nation government prior to his presidency.

Jonathan Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona, and raised in Shonto, Arizona. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico.

Jonathan Nez is the current president of the Navajo Nation, having taken office on January 15, 2019. He was elected to the position in the 2018 election, succeeding Russell Begaye. Nez previously served as the vice president of the Navajo Nation from 2015 to 2019.

Jonathan Nez was elected president of the Navajo Nation in 2018.

Nez’s Warrior Up Agenda outlines his plan to put Arizona workers and small businesses first by:

Reversing crippling and erratic tariff policies that have raised the cost of groceries, household supplies, and goods.

Expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural areas.

Streamlining small businesses’ access to loans and capital, particularly in rural Arizona communities that get left behind.

Nez Slams Crane’s Harmful Policies as Jobs Report Shows Arizona Workers Getting Squeezed

Calls for reversing tariff policies he says have raised costs for groceries, household supplies, and goods.

Proposes expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural areas.

Proposes streamlining small businesses' access to loans and capital, particularly in rural Arizona communities.

Supports labor unions and efforts for better wages, safer workplaces, and greater opportunity.

Plans to introduce legislation to recover data-center tax breaks to fund water-conservation technology and a working-class tax cut.

- Calls for reversing tariff policies he says have raised costs for groceries, household supplies, and goods.
- Proposes expanding apprenticeship programs and workforce training in rural areas.
- Proposes streamlining small businesses' access to loans and capital, particularly in rural Arizona communities.
- Supports labor unions and efforts for better wages, safer workplaces, and greater opportunity.
- Plans to introduce legislation to recover data-center tax breaks to fund water-conservation technology and a working-class tax cut.

Opposes cuts to Head Start, saying they would harm children and make quality education less accessible to low-income families.

- Opposes cuts to Head Start, saying they would harm children and make quality education less accessible to low-income families.

Calls for diplomacy and protection of human life in addressing the conflict in Iran.

Opposes continuing the war in Iran, citing its costs to families and risks to military personnel.

Nez will bring that same commitment and be a Water Warrior for Arizona in Congress. As rural Arizona’s congressman, Nez will fight for the resources to modernize Arizona’s water systems, replace aging Arizona water infrastructure, and protect Arizona’s water rights.

His 2024 ad outlines his emphasis on fighting for Arizona water.

Jonathan Nez: Arizona’s Water Isn’t Just a Worry, It’s a Crisis — Eli Crane Has Failed Us

Calls for strict rules to protect water supplies and consumer utility costs from data centers, alongside investment in water-conservation technology.

Plans to seek resources to modernize Arizona water systems, replace aging water infrastructure, and protect the state's water rights.

- Plans to seek resources to modernize Arizona water systems, replace aging water infrastructure, and protect the state's water rights.

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- Your US Representative represents the interests of your district in the US House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress. Arizona currently has 9 US Representatives.
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