{{Short description|President of the Navajo Nation from 2019 to 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jonathan Nez | image = Jonathan Nez (B cropped).jpg | caption = Nez in 2021 | office = 9th President of the Navajo Nation | vice_president = Myron Lizer | term_start = January 15, 2019 | term_end = January 10, 2023 | predecessor = Russell Begaye | successor = Buu Nygren | office1 = 9th Vice President of the Navajo Nation | president1 = Russell Begaye | term_start1 = May 12, 2015 | term_end1 = January 15, 2019 | predecessor1 = Rex Lee Jim | successor1 = Myron Lizer | office2 = Member of the Navajo Nation Council | term_start2 = January 9, 2007 | term_end2 = May 12, 2015 | predecessor2 = Harry Brown | successor2 = Herman Daniels | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|5|26}} | birth_place = Tuba City, Arizona, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | spouse = Phefelia Nez | education = Northland Pioneer College (attended)<br>Northern Arizona University (BS, MPA) }} '''Jonathan Nez''' (born May 26, 1975)<ref name="fb_20190526_bdaydate" /><ref name="nt_20181108_nezage" /> 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.<ref name="abqj_20181107_generalresults"/><ref name="nt_20181107_nezwin"/><ref name="ushr_2017_nezbio"/> 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,"<ref name="nt_20240801_primaryresult"/> but lost to incumbent Republican Eli Crane in the general election.
== Early life and education == Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona,<ref name="opvp_2020_nezbio"/> and attended Northland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona University (NAU).<ref name="ushr_2017_nezbio"/> He attained both a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Master of Public Administration from NAU.<ref name="ushr_2017_nezbio"/>
== Early political career == [[File:Jonathan Nez and Jake Steinfeld at Holbrook Fitness Center.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name="ushr_2017_nezbio"/>
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.<ref name="nt_20150512_inauguration"/>
== 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.<ref name="abqj_20181107_generalresults"/><ref name="nt_20181107_nezwin"/> 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.<ref name="knxv_20210928_covid19status"/>
Nez unsuccessfully campaigned for reelection in 2022, losing to challenger Buu Nygren.<ref name="ako_20221110_reelectionloss"/> During the campaign, Nez endorsed the legalization of same-sex marriage on the Navajo Nation.<ref name="sbs_20181029_samesexmarriagesupport"/>
== 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.<ref name="iz_20220511_berniesupport"/>
Nez was selected as one of seventeen speakers to jointly deliver the keynote address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.<ref name="demcon_20200816_nezkeynote"/> He was one of the electors for Arizona in 2020 for the presidential election.<ref name="nara_2020_azelectors"/>
On October 16, 2023, Nez announced his candidacy for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, currently held by Republican Eli Crane.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez plans to challenge Rep. Eli Crane |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2023/10/16/jonathan-nez-to-challenge-eli-crane-in-2024/71180295007/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> Crane defeated Nez in the general election, 54% to 45%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becenti |first=Arlyssa D. |title=Jonathan Nez defends his presidential record, says he knows district better than incumbent |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2024/08/10/jonathan-nez-says-he-knows-district-2-better-than-than-eli-crane/74731962007/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>
On July 22, 2025, Nez announced that he would run again for the 2nd congressional district in the 2026 election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becenti |first=Arlyssa D. |title=Former Navajo president announces 2nd bid for AZ's 2nd Congressional District |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2025/07/22/former-navajo-president-jonathan-announces-second-bid-for-congress/85314087007/ |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Nez is married to Phefelia Nez, who was appointed in 2022 to serve on the trustee board of the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-28 |title=Navajo Nation First Lady Nez Appointed to the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts Trustee Board |url=https://nativenewsonline.net/arts-entertainment/navajo-nation-first-lady-nez-appointed-to-the-john-f-kennedy-center-of-performing-arts-trustee-board |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=Native News Online |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Nez and his family were nearly struck when an SUV drove through a parade in Gallup, New Mexico, in August 2022. 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".<ref name="guardian_20220805_gallupcrash"/>
==References== <references>
<ref name="abqj_20181107_generalresults">{{cite news |last = Smith |first = Noel Lyn |title = Voters on the Navajo Nation elect president, council delegates |date = November 8, 2018 |work = Farmington Daily Times |language = en-US |url = https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/08/midterm-elections-2018-navajo-nation-new-mexico-results/1921939002/ |access-date = November 9, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108211639/https://www.daily-times.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/08/midterm-elections-2018-navajo-nation-new-mexico-results/1921939002/?from=new-cookie |archive-date = November 8, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="ako_20221110_reelectionloss">{{Cite news |last = Fonseca |first = Felicia |title = Challenger unseats Navajos' president |date = November 10, 2022 |website = Arkansas Online |language = en-US |url = https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/nov/10/challenger-unseats-navajos-president/?elections |access-date = December 9, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221210052500/https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/nov/10/challenger-unseats-navajos-president/?elections |archive-date = December 10, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="demcon_20200816_nezkeynote">{{cite web |title = Democrats Unveil A New Kind of Convention Keynote |date = August 16, 2020 |website = 2020 Democratic National Convention |language = en-US |url = https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democrats-unveil-a-new-kind-of-convention-keynote/ |access-date = August 16, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200817123930/https://www.demconvention.com/press-releases/democrats-unveil-a-new-kind-of-convention-keynote/ |archive-date = August 17, 2020 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="fb_20190526_bdaydate">{{Cite web |title = Happy Birthday to President and Vice President |date = May 26, 2019 |via = Facebook |language = en-US |url = https://www.facebook.com/NezLizer2018/posts/2223500467915484 |access-date = December 31, 2022 |quote = "Both [President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer] share the same birth date of May 26th" |archive-url = https://archive.today/20221231105215/https://www.facebook.com/NezLizer2018/posts/2223500467915484 |archive-date = December 31, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="nt_20240801_primaryresult">{{cite news |last1=Donovan |first1=Quintero |title=Former president wins primary uncontested, ready to take on Republican incumbent |url=https://navajotimes.com/reznews/former-president-wins-primary-uncontested-ready-to-take-on-republican-incumbent/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=Navajo Times |date=2024-08-01 }}</ref>
<ref name="guardian_20220805_gallupcrash">{{cite news |title = New Mexico: several arrested after SUV drives into Native American parade |date = August 5, 2022 |work = The Guardian |language = en-US |url = https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/05/new-mexico-native-american-parade |access-date = August 6, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220805233418/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/05/new-mexico-native-american-parade |archive-date = August 5, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="iz_20220511_berniesupport">{{Cite web |title = Native push for Bernie Sanders fails to translate into more votes |date = March 24, 2016 |website = Indianz |language = en-US |url = https://www.indianz.com/News/2016/03/24/native-push-for-bernie-sanders.asp |access-date = May 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220511002700/https://www.indianz.com/News/2016/03/24/native-push-for-bernie-sanders.asp |archive-date = May 11, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="knxv_20210928_covid19status">{{cite news |last = Ciletti |first = Nick |title = Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez talks current state of COVID-19 |date = September 28, 2021 |publisher = KNXV-TV |language = en-US |url = https://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/navajo-nation-president-jonathan-nez-talks-current-state-of-covid-19 |access-date = May 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221005213052/https://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/navajo-nation-president-jonathan-nez-talks-current-state-of-covid-19 |archive-date = October 5, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="nara_2020_azelectors">{{cite web |last = Ducey |first = Douglas A. |title = Arizona Certificate of Ascertainment |date = 2020 |publisher = National Archives and Records Administration |language = en-US |url = https://www.archives.gov/files/electoral-college/2020/ascertainment-arizona.pdf |access-date = December 14, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201214002305/https://www.archives.gov/files/electoral-college/2020/ascertainment-arizona.pdf |archive-date = December 14, 2020 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="nt_20150512_inauguration">{{cite news |last = Donovan |first = Bill |title = A number of firsts at Navajo presidential inauguration |date = May 12, 2015 |work = Navajo Times |language = en-US |url = https://www.navajotimes.com/rezpolitics/a-number-of-firsts-at-navajo-presidential-inauguration/ |access-date = November 9, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150517070921/https://www.navajotimes.com/rezpolitics/a-number-of-firsts-at-navajo-presidential-inauguration/ |archive-date = May 17, 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="nt_20181107_nezwin">{{cite news |last = Becenti |first = Arlyssa |title = Nez wins by 19,000 votes |date = November 7, 2018 |work = Navajo Times |language = en-US |url = https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nez-wins-by-19000-votes/ |access-date = March 10, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181107230224/https://www.navajotimes.com/reznews/nez-wins-by-19000-votes/ |archive-date = November 7, 2018 }}</ref>
<ref name="nt_20181108_nezage">{{cite news |last = Becenti |first = Arlyssa |title = Nez: Youngest ever |date = November 8, 2018 |website = Navajo Times |language = en-US |url = https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nez-youngest-ever/ |access-date = April 9, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108200728/https://www.navajotimes.com/reznews/nez-youngest-ever/ |archive-date = November 8, 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="opvp_2020_nezbio">{{Cite web |title = President Jonathan Nez |publisher = Office of the President, Navajo Nation |language = en-US |url = https://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov/About-Us/President-Jonathan-Nez |access-date = April 9, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200404140517/https://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov/About-Us/President-Jonathan-Nez |archive-date = April 4, 2020 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="sbs_20181029_samesexmarriagesupport">{{cite news |last = Johansen |first = Kirsty |title = Gay couples from largest Native American tribe call for marriage equality |date = October 29, 2018 |website = SBS News |language = en |url = https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/gay-couples-from-largest-native-american-tribe-call-for-marriage-equality/3inmnstpq |access-date = May 11, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220511002839/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/gay-couples-from-largest-native-american-tribe-call-for-marriage-equality/3inmnstpq |archive-date = May 11, 2022 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="ushr_2017_nezbio">{{cite web |title = Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan M. Nez |publisher = United States House of Representatives |language = en-US |url = https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20170516/105949/HHRG-115-AP06-Bio-NezJ-20170516.pdf |access-date = November 9, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170519062553/https://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20170516/105949/HHRG-115-AP06-Bio-NezJ-20170516.pdf |archive-date = May 19, 2017 |url-status = live }}</ref>
</references>
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407133451/https://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov/ |date=April 7, 2020 }} * {{Official website|https://www.jonathannezforaz.com/|Campaign website}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Rex Lee Jim}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice President of the Navajo Nation|years=2015–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Myron Lizer}} |- {{s-bef|before=Russell Begaye}} {{s-ttl|title=President of the Navajo Nation|years=2019–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Buu Nygren}} {{s-end}}
{{Presidents of the Navajo Nation}} {{Vice Presidents of the Navajo Nation}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nez, Jonathan}} Category:1975 births Category:2020 United States presidential electors Category:20th-century Native American people Category:21st-century Native American politicians Category:Arizona Democrats Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Living people Category:Native American people from Arizona Category:Northern Arizona University alumni Category:People from Tuba City, Arizona Category:Presidents of the Navajo Nation Category:Vice presidents of the Navajo Nation