Ned Norris Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ned Norris Jr.
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| Chairman of the Tohono O'odham | |
| In office August 3, 2007 – May 28, 2015 |
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| Vice President | Wavalene M. Romero (since 2011) Isidro Lopez (2007–2011) |
| Preceded by | Vivian Juan-Saunders |
| Succeeded by | Edward D. Manuel |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Janice Norris |
| Children | Three |
| Residences | Fresnal Canyon, Baboquivari District, Arizona |
| Occupation | Politician |
Ned Norris Jr. was born in 1955. He is a respected leader of the Tohono O'odham Nation. This is a Native American tribe located in southern Arizona. He has served as their Chairman multiple times. He was Chairman for two terms from 2007 to 2015. He was elected again in 2019. Before becoming Chairman, he worked in marketing and public relations. This was for the O'odham Gaming Authority.
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About Ned Norris Jr.
His Early Life
Ned Norris Jr. was born in 1955. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He went to elementary and middle school in Flagstaff, Arizona. He then graduated from Sunnyside High School in Tucson. He studied social work at Pima Community College. He also took classes at the University of Arizona. Later, the University of Arizona gave him an honorary degree.
His Career Journey
Norris started working for the Tohono O'odham Nation in 1978. He served as a tribal judge until 1993. He also helped lead the Sunnyside Unified School District's school board. This was in Pima County, Arizona, from 1997 to 2000.
He also worked for the Tohono O'odham Gaming Authority. He was the director of public relations and marketing. He left this job in 2003. This was when he was elected Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Norris also worked for the Desert Diamond Casino. He was an assistant director there.
Serving as Vice Chairman (2003–2006)
In 1999, Vivian Juan-Saunders decided to run for Chairman. She chose Ned Norris Jr. to be her running mate. They ran against the current Chairman, Edward Manuel. Manuel won that election.
In 2003, Vivian Juan-Saunders ran for Chairman again. Ned Norris Jr. was her running mate once more. They won the election with 59% of the votes. They ran against Edward Manuel again. Norris became the Vice Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Vivian Juan-Saunders became the first woman to lead the Tohono O'odham. Norris served as Vice Chairman until June 2006.
Leading as Chairman (2007–2015, 2019–)
In 2007, Norris ran for Chairman himself. He ran against the current Chairman, Vivian Juan-Saunders. Norris won the election on May 26, 2007. He received 1,766 votes out of 3,105 total votes. His running mate, Isidro Lopez, became the Vice Chairman. Norris and Lopez officially started their terms on August 3, 2007.
As Chairman, Norris focused on important goals. He wanted to bring college-educated Tohono O'odham people back to the reservation. He also wanted to improve health care and reduce unemployment.
In 2011, Norris decided to run for re-election. Wavalene Marie Romero, a Tohono O'odham councilwoman, became his running mate. Vice Chairman Isidro Lopez chose not to run again.
On May 28, 2011, Ned Norris Jr. was re-elected for a second term. He received 2,238 votes. Juan-Saunders received 1,491 votes. The total number of votes was 3,729.
In May 2015, Norris and Romero ran again. They were defeated by former Chairman Edward D. Manuel. Manuel won by 213 votes.
In May 2019, Norris won a special runoff election. He defeated Manuel to return to the office of Chairman.
