Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed Jonathan Nez for Arizona’s Second Congressional District, according to a June 13 statement released by the campaign. Buttigieg cited Nez’s leadership on rural infrastructure, tribal communities, and efforts to build an economy that works for all Arizonans.
“President Nez is a proven leader who brings people together to deliver real results,” said Buttigieg. “During my time leading the U.S. Department of Transportation, I worked with him to improve infrastructure for Arizona’s tribal communities and rural areas. He knows how to advocate for better roads, water infrastructure, broadband, and economic opportunity in places too often overlooked by Washington. Arizona needs and deserves his leadership in Congress.”
As President of the Navajo Nation, Nez worked closely with Buttigieg and the federal government to secure investments in roads, bridges, broadband, and transportation infrastructure throughout tribal and rural communities.
“I’m very grateful to have Secretary Buttigieg’s support,” said Nez. “Sec. Pete believes, as I do, that Americans are tired of partisan games and deserve real results to lower costs and build a future where all Americans can succeed. We worked together to push for infrastructure investments that created jobs, improved public safety, and strengthened rural and tribal communities. In Congress, I’ll continue fighting to make sure rural Arizona families aren’t left behind.”
The endorsement adds momentum behind Nez’s campaign as he builds a grassroots coalition focused on affordability, infrastructure, water security, and restoring trust in government.
Nez is the former President of the Navajo Nation and is the 2024 Democratic nominee for Congress in AZ-02. He grew up in rural Arizona helping his family run a ranch without running water or electricity before beginning his career in public service within his community of Shonto on the Navajo Nation.
