Full Profile · From the Interview Record
Andy Nez
B · From the record Summaries are drawn from Cal Nez’s interview. Quotations are not published until checked against the recording. How we verify →
Candidate Snapshot
Background & Why They’re Running
An incumbent on the 25th Council (HEHSC member, former classroom teacher) representing Fort Defiance, Sawmill, Crystal, and Red Lake, Nez runs on six priorities: recycling initiatives, “villages”/housing, urban development, amending the education code (Title 10), protecting natural resources, and community-based projects.
Where Andy Nez Stands
Each topic below is drawn from the interview — the question Cal asked, and a short summary of the answer, generated by AI from the interview recording.
“Villages”: Housing & Continuum of Care
Cal asked: What's the housing vision?
Nez wants to build “villages” — small communities where seniors, people in substance-abuse recovery, veterans, and disabled relatives can receive a continuum of care — funded in part by the roughly $14 million in delegate region funds from the $293 million line-item-veto package.
Urban Development & “Embassy” Venues
Cal asked: What's your urban-development plan?
He'd expand the Nation into Albuquerque, Phoenix, and other urban spaces with “embassy-like” venues using the land-acquisition fund — places to grow businesses, expand Diné College, and reinvest the dollars Navajo citizens already spend off-reservation.
Amending the Education Code (Title 10)
Cal asked: Why amend Title 10?
A former teacher, Nez is working to amend Title 10, the 2005 Navajo Nation Education Code, arguing education has changed dramatically in 20 years and the code needs to keep pace.
Government Reform & the President-Council Conflict
Cal asked: Where do you stand on government reform and the gridlock?
Nez wants the Office of Government Development to move faster — established 34-plus years ago and still unfinished — and revealed he pulled its funding over carryovers; he notes some delegates defunded it to protect their power. On the law requiring the president to appear before council, he frames it as ensuring accountability (division directors act for the president) and says missed State of the Nation addresses invited the Title 2 amendments.
Health Care & the 638 System
Cal asked: Do you support 638 health care?
On HEHSC, Nez supports 638 self-determination — noting 638 facilities like Tséhootsooí Medical Center weathered federal funding cuts far better than IHS — but takes a “short pause” on too much autonomy, which can invite embezzlement, nepotism, and board misspending. He says the Nation isn't yet ready to run its own multi-million-dollar health system and the U.S. still owes its 1868 treaty duty.
Topics in the Interview
- Background & Six-Part Platform
- “Villages”: Housing & Continuum of Care
- Urban Development & “Embassy” Venues
- Amending the Education Code (Title 10)
- Government Reform & the President-Council Conflict
- Health Care & the 638 System