Navajo Nation presidential candidate Russell Begaye, who is currently serving as a Council delegate for Shiprock, N.M., announced that Council Delegate Jonathan Nez was his running mate during a 2 p.m. press conference at the Navajo Nation Veterans’ Memorial Park in Window Rock, Ariz.
PRESS RELEASE – Begaye Selects Jonathan Nez as Running Mate
Nez files as Navajo Nation Vice President Candidate
WINDOW ROCK – Candidate for Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye today announced Jonathan Nez, a Council Delegate, representing Navajo Mountain, Oljato, Shonto, and Ts’ah Bii Kin Chapters, as his vice-presidential running mate.
Mr. Nez is a member of the Navajo Nation and from Shonto, AZ. He is born into the Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan) and born for the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). Jonathan’s maternal grandfathers are Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and his paternal grandfathers are the Táchii’nii (Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan).
“After much prayer and consultation with my family, and with great humility, I am pleased to accept the nomination by my naali, Mr. Russell Begaye, to serve as his running mate for Vice President of the Great Navajo Nation,” said Nez. “I accept this incredible opportunity because I believe our Navajo people are ready for solutions rooted in healing and compassion for one another.”
Nez has a Bachelors degree in Political Science, a Masters degree in Public Administration, and a Certificate in Public Management, all acquired from Northern Arizona University. He currently serves as a Supervisor for Navajo County District 1, which includes all, or portions of, the communities of Shonto, Kayenta, Chilchinbeto, Forest Lake, Black Mesa, Piñon, Low Mountain, Blue Gap/Tachee, Whippoorwill Springs, White Cone, Greasewood Springs, Indian Wells, and Sun Valley.
In the past, Nez has served as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors in 2013 and 2012, and he currently serves at the Vice-Chairman of the Navajo Nation Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.
“A Begaye/Nez administration will work hard to help Navajo families prepare our homes and our nation to fully embrace the beauty of our ways as preserved by our elderly and inspired by our unborn. We look to a future filled with hope and strength in one another. We as a people are at this intersection, and I firmly believe Mr. Begaye and I are capable of inspiring this new truth. We have much work to do,” said Mr. Nez.
“I am pleased to have Jonathan Nez as my running-mate. Few people know that he was one of the youngest people to be elected as a Council Delegate, but he qualified himself to be a Naat’anii,” said Russell Begaye, “understanding that in the modern world, acquiring an educational degree is important, Jonathan worked hard to complete a Masters degree from NAU and while he served the people as Council Delegate and County Supervisor he began working on a doctoral degree. The achievements he completed required discipline, hard work and perseverance. Jonathan knows how to set goals and reach them. I am excited to have such a remarkable young leader as Mr. Nez by my side as we embark to lead this Nation forward.”
The Begaye/Nez Campaign is planning activities across the Navajo Nation, but is waiting to receive word from the Navajo Election Administration on the date scheduled for the Special Election.
“Now, as we move forward, I have always said that Kè is a powerful tool for bringing people together from differing beliefs to solve today’s problems and preparing for the future. I believe that now is the time, an awakening of a New Dawn to strengthen our Navajo Nation government. I call upon all Navajo citizens to join us in restoring harmony through sharing your ideas, solutions and support for the work that needs to be done,” said Mr. Begaye.
