Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez highlighted on April 20 the impact of House Republican policies, particularly those supported by Rep. Eli Crane, on rural Arizonans. Nez said that while House Republicans are proposing a resolution to honor their commitment to rural America, families in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District are facing higher costs and financial struggles.
Nez said, “Everything costs more now than it did a year ago. Credit card debit is mounting. Families are struggling.” He attributed these challenges to Crane’s voting record, stating that Crane has supported tariff policies raising costs for households and businesses by an average of $1,000 per year.
According to Nez, Crane voted for significant Medicaid cuts that threaten the closure of three rural hospitals in Winslow, Page and Globe—the most in any Arizona congressional district—and could result in nearly 27,000 residents losing Medicaid coverage. Nez also said that Crane’s votes have led to increased health care premiums and jeopardized coverage for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans.
Nez further criticized Crane for supporting reductions in food assistance programs such as SNAP, which he said affects 25,000 people in the district where 14 percent of households rely on this support amid rising food prices. He also pointed out that gas prices remain high in the district and linked this to policies supported by Crane regarding foreign conflicts.
In addition, Nez said that Crane has voted against measures intended to make housing more affordable and accessible.
Nez is running as the Democratic nominee for Congress in Arizona’s 2nd District. He previously served as President of the Navajo Nation after beginning his public service career in Shonto on the Navajo Nation. More details about these policy critiques can be found in the organization’s press release.
