Jonathan Nez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Nez
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Nez in 2021
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| 9th President of the Navajo Nation | |
| In office January 15, 2019 – January 10, 2023 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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) |
Jonathan Nez (born May 26, 1975) is a Navajo politician. He served as the 9th President of the Navajo Nation from 2019 to 2023. Before that, he was the Vice President of the Navajo Nation. He also worked as a delegate on the Navajo Nation Council.
In 2024, he ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Arizona. He was the first Indigenous person in Arizona to get a major party nomination for a congressional seat. However, he did not win the election.
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Early Life and School
Nez was born in Tuba City, Arizona. He went to Northland Pioneer College. Later, he studied at Northern Arizona University (NAU). He earned two degrees from NAU. One was a Bachelor of Science in political science. The other was a Master of Public Administration.
Starting His Political Journey
Early in his career, Jonathan Nez served his community. He was the vice president for the Shonto chapter of the Navajo Nation. A chapter is like a local government area.
He also became a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council. This council makes laws for the Navajo Nation. He represented several chapters, including Oljato and Navajo Mountain.
In 2015, he was elected Vice President of the Navajo Nation. He ran alongside Russell Begaye, who became President. They officially started their roles on May 12, 2015.
On November 6, 2018, Jonathan Nez was elected President of the Navajo Nation. He won against former President Joe Shirley Jr.. As President, Nez was the main leader of the Navajo Nation.
During his time as President, Nez led the Navajo Nation's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership helped the Navajo Nation have a high vaccination rate. By September 2021, their vaccination rate was higher than in most other parts of Arizona.
Nez tried to be reelected in 2022 but lost to Buu Nygren. During his campaign, Nez supported allowing same-sex marriage on the Navajo Nation.
National Politics
Jonathan Nez has also been involved in politics at the national level. In 2016, he supported Hillary Clinton for president. He was part of her Arizona leadership team.
In 2020, Nez was one of seventeen speakers to give a main speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He also served as an elector for Arizona in the 2020 presidential election. Electors are people who formally cast votes for president.
On October 16, 2023, Nez announced he would run for the U.S. House of Representatives. He ran for Arizona's 2nd congressional district. He lost the election to the current Republican representative, Eli Crane.
See also
In Spanish: Jonathan Nez para niños
