Jonathan Nez

Jonathan Nez is a former president of the Navajo Nation who lost to Republican Rep. Eli Crane by nine points in 2024 and is running again. Public polling is mixed: a Democratic-aligned PAC poll and a Nez campaign poll showed a close race, while an August independent poll had Crane ahead 53% to 42%.

On the ballot against Eli Crane (R)

Why it matters: The district leans Republican (Trump carried it by 15 points in 2024), but Democrats see it as a possible pickup, and Nez would be the first Native American to represent Arizona in Congress.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingLean RCook Political Report, Oct 27 source

Latest poll Nez 42% 53% Crane 5% undecided or other Peak Insights, Aug 17-20, 2026, 400 voters. source

In Jonathan's own words

**Jonathan Nez**, Nez on Eli Crane, in an Arizona Agenda piece on whether Nez can win., Sep 9 source

**Jonathan Nez**, Nez reacting to a super PAC attack ad that mistakenly showed his former running mate, Myron Lizer., Oct 10 source

Where Jonathan stands

Health care and housing costs: Nez says he wants to lower costs for families in health care and housing. source
Water and agriculture: Nez's "Warrior Up Agenda" calls for protecting water and food supplies, and he cites his work with the Trump administration on rural Arizona water rights. source
Rural infrastructure: Nez says he would fund long-term rural roads, bridges and other infrastructure. source
Government accountability: Nez says he would tackle corruption and strengthen ethics laws in Washington. source

The record

Served as the 9th President of the Navajo Nation from January 2019 to January 2023, and as its vice president from 2015 to 2019.
Earlier served on the Navajo County Board of Supervisors (2008-2015) and the Navajo Nation Council (2007-2015).
Born in Tuba City and raised in Shonto; holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Arizona University.

ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on Eli Crane

Crane has pushed bills to ban congressional stock trading and to end federal taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security. source
Crane lives in Oro Valley, outside the 2nd District, which the law allows. His campaign website dropped language opposing "forever wars," and he did not respond to Arizona Agenda's questions about whether his position has changed. source
Crane won the district by nine points in 2024, and a Trump-aligned super PAC supporting him is expected to spend more than $650,000 in the district, according to AdImpact. source

Endorsed by

Sen. Mark Kelly Sen. Ruben Gallego Attorney General Kris Mayes Pete Buttigieg AFL-CIO

In the files

White House

Trump and Rubio to showcase Venezuelan crude tanker in Texas, then rally for Paxton

The president and his secretary of state will visit Port Arthur to highlight Venezuelan oil bound for Texas refineries, then Trump holds rallies in Corpus Christi and Lubbock for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton a week before the midterms.

Today, 2:37 AM ET

Rights

Judge halts DHS door-knocking hunt for noncitizen voters in nine states until Nov. 3

A federal judge found that Homeland Security's search for noncitizen voters relied on "voluminous and unreliable" lists and likely broke the Voting Rights Act's ban on intimidation. She put her order on hold until 5 p.m. Friday so the administration could appeal.

Oct 23, 5:55 PM ET

Rights

Judge bars DHS from questioning likely citizens about voting at home in nine states

A federal judge in California ruled that the Homeland Security Department's armed home visits, which relied on error-prone voter lists, likely amount to voter intimidation. Her order covers nine states, including Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, through Election Day unless the administration wins an appeal.

Oct 22, 11:48 PM ET

Voting

Judge bars DHS door-to-door voter checks of citizens in nine states until Election Day

A federal judge in Oakland ruled that Homeland Security's door-knocking about immigration status and voting likely breaks the Voting Rights Act. The order is paused until Friday so the government can appeal.

Oct 21, 11:12 PM ET

Jonathan Nez. Photo: Wikiuser159597, CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Race data checked Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.