Nez, Ansari mobilize voters against Crane’s record at Flagstaff town hall

Posted by Donovan Quintero | Jul 31, 2025 | News |

FLAGSTAFF

Arizona Congressman Eli Crane was the focus of sharp criticism at a town hall in Flagstaff on July 29, where residents and elected officials accused him of backing harmful federal policies and avoiding in-person engagement with his district.

Special to the Times | Donovan Quintero
Democratic congressional candidate Jonathan Nez engages with attendees during a town hall in Flagstaff on July 29. Nez is running to unseat Rep. Eli Crane in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.

The event, hosted by Indivisible Northern Arizona, featured former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, the Democratic candidate for Congressional District 2, and U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz. Both lawmakers warned that Crane’s support for a Trump-aligned budget, nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” would slash funding for health care, research, and essential public services across rural Arizona.

“The purpose of the town hall is to hold Eli Crane and whatever representative accountable for their policies and their support for Trump, especially when they refuse to come and hold an in-person town hall,” said Susan Shapiro, the director of Indivisible Northern Arizona.

Shapiro said Crane was invited to the town hall. The organizers used a cutout of his image instead of the Republican representative, which became the focus of attendees’ ire as they voiced their concerns and angst.

Crane responds online, touts record

Crane, a Republican representing Arizona’s largest congressional district, did not attend. But on Tuesday, he responded online, posting on Facebook.

“Tonight, my opponent is appearing with a radical liberal that opposed the Fix Our Forests Act and flew to El Salvador to stand up for the ‘Maryland dad.’ I don’t globe trot on behalf of gang members, and I voted for the Fix Our Forests Act. Elections provide clear choices. #AZO2,” he wrote on his social media page.

Crane’s office has also emphasized his policy record and constituent services, reporting that since January, his staff has returned more than $4 million to residents in tax refunds, veterans benefits, and other federal claims. On July 22, Crane hosted his third telephone town hall, which his office reported drew more than 14,000 participants.

To read the full article, please see the July 31, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

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