‘David vs. Goliath’: Democratic House candidate looks to flip deep-red seat in Arizona

Jonathan Nez, who formerly served as President of the Navajo Nation, is campaigning as a Democrat for a House seat in Arizona that leans heavily Republican. Donald Trump won the district by more than 15 points in 2024, which makes the contest an uphill climb, and the NBC News headline casts it as David versus Goliath. Nez discussed his bid on Meet the Press NOW on October 21, 2026, as his party tries to win the district.

His interview comes amid wider midterm coverage from NBC News. The Cook Political Report has moved 11 House races toward Democrats while Trump continues to campaign, according to one segment. Another looks at six frontline Republicans to watch as the GOP works to defend its hold on the chamber.

Other segments point to Republican spending choices as a sign the party sees a Democratic-leaning environment, and to Trump and the GOP abandoning an Ohio battleground race, which a House Democrat called a good sign. A separate item reports that the Justice Department has sued California over alleged noncitizen voters.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NBC News’s reporting. Read the full story at NBC News →