Jonathan Nez

Jonathan Nez (born May 26, 1975)^[1][2] is a Navajo politician who served as the 9th President of the Navajo Nation from 2019 to 2023. He previously served as Vice President and as a Navajo Nation Council delegate.^[3][4][5]

Jonathan Nez
Nez in 2021
9th President of the Navajo Nation
In office January 15, 2019 – January 10, 2023
Vice President	Myron Lizer
Preceded by	Russell Begaye
Succeeded by	Buu Nygren
9th Vice President of the Navajo Nation
In office May 12, 2015 – January 15, 2019
President	Russell Begaye
Preceded by	Rex Lee Jim
Succeeded by	Myron Lizer
Member of the Navajo Nation Council
In office January 9, 2007 – May 12, 2015
Preceded by	Harry Brown
Succeeded by	Herman Daniels
Personal details
Born	(1975-05-26) May 26, 1975 (age 50) Tuba City, Arizona, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Phefelia Nez
Education	Northland Pioneer College Northern Arizona University (BS, MPA)

Earlier in his career, Nez served as a council delegate representing Tsah Bii' Kin, Navajo Mountain, Shonto, and Oljato Chapters. In 2024, he won the (uncontested) Democratic nomination to represent Arizona's 2nd congressional district, becoming "the first Indigenous political candidate in Arizona to clinch a major party nomination for a congressional seat,"^[6] but lost to incumbent Republican Eli Crane in the general election.

Early life and education

Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona,^[7] and attended Northland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona University (NAU).^[5] He attained both a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Master of Public Administration from NAU.^[5]

Early political career

Vice President Nez with fitness expert Jake Steinfeld during a 2016 award ceremony

Early in his career, Nez served as vice president of the Navajo Nation's Shonto chapter. He also served as a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council, where he represented the Oljato, Ts'ah Bii' Kin, Navajo Mountain, and Shonto chapters.^[5]

In 2015, he was elected Vice President of the Navajo Nation in a ticket led by Russell Begaye. He was formally sworn into office on May 12, 2015.^[8]

President of the Navajo Nation (2019–2023)

On November 6, 2018, Nez was elected President of the Navajo Nation by a margin of 33.07% of the vote versus former President Joe Shirley Jr.^[3][4] Shirley had received the endorsement of Begaye and also boasted high name recognition owing to his former tenure.

As president, Nez oversaw the Navajo Nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By September 2021, the Navajo Nation's COVID-19 vaccination rate was higher than in most other parts of Arizona.^[9]

Nez unsuccessfully campaigned for reelection in 2022, losing to challenger Buu Nygren.^[10] During the campaign, Nez endorsed the legalization of same-sex marriage on the Navajo Nation.^[11]

U.S. national politics

Nez was an early primary supporter of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and served on the Hillary for America Arizona Leadership Council.^[12]

Nez was selected as one of seventeen speakers to jointly deliver the keynote address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.^[13] He was one of the electors for Arizona in 2020 for the presidential election.^[14]

On October 16, 2023, Nez announced his candidacy for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, currently held by Republican Eli Crane.^[15] Crane defeated Nez in the general election, 54% to 45%.^[16]

2022 vehicle ramming incident

Nez and his family were nearly struck when an SUV drove through a parade in Gallup, New Mexico. In total, fifteen people were left injured. Nez later reflected on the event saying "You would think it would never happen here. I’m sorry to say it happened here in Gallup, New Mexico." and "it was a difficult time for us".^[17]