FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 11/4/2024
NEW: Why AZ-2 Could Make History Tomorrow
How Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez turned a once-safe seat into one of the most closely-watched House races in the country
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — After flying under the radar for most of the past year, in the last two months the race in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District has emerged as a highly competitive contest that could unseat MAGA incumbent Eli Crane. Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has run a people-centered, rural-focused campaign that’s expected to drive historic levels of Native American turnout, with polls showing a tight race that could jeopardize Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress.
Here’s how we got here:
A PROBLEM-SOLVER, NOT A PARTISAN, WHO UNDERSTANDS RURAL ARIZONA. President Nez truly understands rural Arizona. Born in Tuba City and raised on a ranch without electricity or running water, he has firsthand experience with the challenges faced by Arizona’s rural communities. As President of the Navajo Nation, he collaborated with the Trump administration to expand water rights in Northern Arizona, enhance our water infrastructure, and ensure clean water reaches our local residents.
The reason Nez has been able to do so well in this Republican district is he’s not a partisan, but a problem-solver at heart. President Nez is someone who sees people as individuals – not as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. When Nez served as President of the Navajo Nation, his Vice President was a Republican. He is a rare candidate who believes that when it comes to addressing community needs, it doesn’t matter who is in charge or what party affiliation appears on your ballot; what matters is getting the job done.
NEZ IS DRIVING HIGH TURNOUT AMONG NATIVE AMERICAN VOTERS. As a lifelong public servant, President Nez spent years prior to his campaign building a relationship with Native voters, securing their support long before the campaign began. This effort was particularly crucial in AZ-2, home to the highest percentage of Native American voters in the country, comprising nearly a quarter of the district’s population and forming its second-largest voting bloc. Among these voters, President Nez started with a 46-point vote advantage, which swells to a remarkable 70-point lead after positive messaging.
President Nez’s popularity amongst native voters leads us to expect a historic Native American turnout this cycle, not just in AZ-2 but for Democrats across Arizona – including Kamala Harris and Ruben Gallego.
IN STARK CONTRAST, ELI CRANE’S SHORTCOMINGS BOLSTERED NEZ’S CAMPAIGN. Despite the district’s Republican lean, Crane’s extreme positions on issues like abortion have alienated many voters. He voted for a bill that would ban abortion with no exceptions even in cases of rape and incest. He supports a national abortion ban that would end abortion access in every state including Arizona. Moreover, Crane has spent months spreading dangerous conspiracy theories online and advocating for the end of Medicare and Social Security as we know it.
Beyond straying away from voters, Crane has proven time and time again that he does not know the district. Despite the district making up close to 60% of the state of Arizona, Crane has chosen to live an hour outside of the district, in suburban Tucson.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS: Win or lose, President Nez’s Congressional race has driven up Native voter engagement and a Nez victory would not only be a testament to his hard work, lifelong record of service, and remarkable connection with the district – it would also exemplify everything Republicans have done wrong this year.
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ABOUT FORMER NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEZ
A lifelong public servant, Jonathan Nez was elected President of the Navajo Nation in 2019, where he made historic investments in housing for veterans, infrastructure, and public safety, in addition to negotiating with the Trump Administration to win a critical water access deal for rural Arizona.
If elected, President Nez would be Arizona’s first Native American congress member ever.