Jonathan Nez(born May 26, 1975)[1][2]is aNavajopolitician who served as the 9thPresidentof theNavajo Nationfrom 2019 to 2023. He previously served asVice Presidentand as aNavajo Nation Councildelegate.[3][4][5]
Jonathan Nez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9thPresident of the Navajo Nation | |
| In office January 15, 2019 – January 10, 2023 | |
| Vice President | Myron Lizer |
| Preceded by | Russell Begaye |
| Succeeded by | Buu Nygren |
| 9thVice 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 theNavajo Nation Council | |
| In office January 9, 2007 – May 12, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Harry Brown |
| Succeeded by | Herman Daniels |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 26, 1975 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 representArizona's 2nd congressional district,becoming "the first Indigenous political candidate in Arizona to clinch a major party nomination for a congressional seat," and will challengeEli Cranein thegeneral electionon November 5.[6]
Early life and education
editNez was born inTuba City, Arizona,[7]and attendedNorthland Pioneer CollegeandNorthern Arizona University(NAU).[5]He attained both aBachelor of Scienceinpolitical scienceand aMaster of Public Administrationfrom NAU.[5]
Early political career
edit
Early in his career, Nez served as vice president of the Navajo Nation'sShontochapter. He also served as a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council, where he represented theOljato,Ts'ah Bii' Kin,Navajo Mountain,and Shonto chapters.[5]
In 2015, he was electedVice President of the Navajo Nationin a ticket led byRussell Begaye.He was formally sworn into office on May 12, 2015.[8]
President of the Navajo Nation (2019–2023)
editOnNovember 6, 2018,Nez was electedPresident of the Navajo Nationby a margin of 33.07% of the vote versus former PresidentJoe 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.By September 2021, the Navajo Nation's COVID-19vaccinationrate was higher than in most other parts of Arizona.[9]
Nez unsuccessfully campaigned forreelection in 2022,losing to challengerBuu Nygren.[10]During the campaign, Nez endorsed the legalization ofsame-sex marriageon the Navajo Nation.[11]
U.S. national politics
editNez was an early primary supporter ofHillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaignand served on the Hillary for America Arizona Leadership Council.[12]
Nez was selected as one of seventeen speakers to jointly deliver thekeynoteaddress at the2020 Democratic National Convention.[13]He was one of theelectors for Arizona in 2020 for the presidential election.[14]
On October 16, 2023, Nez announced his candidacy forArizona's 2nd congressional district,currently held byRepublicanEli Crane.[15]
2022 vehicle ramming incident
editNez and his family were nearly struck when an SUV drove through a parade inGallup, 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".[16]
References
edit- ^"Happy Birthday to President and Vice President".May 26, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on December 31, 2022.RetrievedDecember 31,2022– via Facebook.
Both [President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer] share the same birth date of May 26th
- ^Becenti, Arlyssa (November 8, 2018)."Nez: Youngest ever".Navajo Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2018.RetrievedApril 9,2020.
- ^abSmith, Noel Lyn (November 8, 2018)."Voters on the Navajo Nation elect president, council delegates".Farmington Daily Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2018.RetrievedNovember 9,2018.
- ^abBecenti, Arlyssa (November 7, 2018)."Nez wins by 19,000 votes".Navajo Times.Archived fromthe originalon November 7, 2018.RetrievedMarch 10,2022.
- ^abcd"Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan M. Nez"(PDF).United States House of Representatives.Archived(PDF)from the original on May 19, 2017.RetrievedNovember 9,2018.
- ^Donovan, Quintero (August 1, 2024)."Former president wins primary uncontested, ready to take on Republican incumbent".Navajo Times.RetrievedAugust 9,2024.
- ^"President Jonathan Nez".Office of the President, Navajo Nation. Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2020.RetrievedApril 9,2020.
- ^Donovan, Bill (May 12, 2015)."A number of firsts at Navajo presidential inauguration".Navajo Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 17, 2015.RetrievedNovember 9,2018.
- ^Ciletti, Nick (September 28, 2021)."Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez talks current state of COVID-19".KNXV-TV.Archivedfrom the original on October 5, 2022.RetrievedMay 11,2022.
- ^Fonseca, Felicia (November 10, 2022)."Challenger unseats Navajos' president".Arkansas Online.Archivedfrom the original on December 10, 2022.RetrievedDecember 9,2022.
- ^Johansen, Kirsty (October 29, 2018)."Gay couples from largest Native American tribe call for marriage equality".SBS News.Archivedfrom the original on May 11, 2022.RetrievedMay 11,2022.
- ^"Native push for Bernie Sanders fails to translate into more votes".Indianz.March 24, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on May 11, 2022.RetrievedMay 11,2022.
- ^"Democrats Unveil A New Kind of Convention Keynote".2020 Democratic National Convention.August 16, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon August 17, 2020.RetrievedAugust 16,2020.
- ^Ducey, Douglas A. (2020)."Arizona Certificate of Ascertainment"(PDF).National Archives and Records Administration.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 14, 2020.RetrievedDecember 14,2020.
- ^"Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez plans to challenge Rep. Eli Crane".The Arizona Republic.RetrievedOctober 16,2023.
- ^"New Mexico: several arrested after SUV drives into Native American parade".The Guardian.August 5, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on August 5, 2022.RetrievedAugust 6,2022.
External links
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