News Release
Navajo Nation – Office of the President and Vice President
On Sunday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez had the honor of attending the inaugural celebration for the Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham, as she took the oath of office to serve a second term as the 32nd Governor of New Mexico at the Lensic Theater in Sante Fe, New Mexico.
“On behalf of the Navajo Nation, we congratulate Governor Lujan Grisham and we thank her for continuing to work together with tribal nations. In her first term, the Governor prioritized New Mexico’s 23 tribal nations and continued to uphold and respect the sovereignty of our communities. Through her leadership, tribes have a seat at the table on all issues including health care, education, infrastructure, public safety, and gaming. Working together with Governor Lujan Grisham, we have made historic investments in tribal communities that continue to support our elders, youth, and families,” said President Nez.
The Governor’s inaugural team stated that their administration will launch New Mexico into the future, building on the historic investments she delivered in her first term to achieve new opportunities for each New Mexico family to thrive. From growing New Mexico’s economy, to investing in our education system, to improving public safety in our communities, Governor Lujan Grisham’s second term will continue to push New Mexico to the next level on the issues that matter most.
Governor Lujan Grisham and Lt. Governor Howie Morales were re-elected by New Mexico voters to serve a second term in office, during the recent general election held on Nov. 8. President Nez was one of numerous New Mexico tribal leaders who publicly supported the Governor’s campaign.
“The Governor’s work over the last four years, with the support of state lawmakers, has led to increased support for families, children, teachers, and college students across the state and those residing on the Navajo Nation. We look forward to seeing more progress and stronger support for Navajo youth and parents in the years to come. We commend Governor Lujan Grisham and congratulate her and Lt. Governor Morales,” stated First Lady Nez.
During the ceremony, New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice C. Shannon Bacon, former New Mexico Chief Justice Judith Nakamura, and Governor Lujan Grisham’s brother Greg Lujan offered congratulatory remarks and spoke about the Governor’s character, commitment to public service, and accomplishments in her first term. Former New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish served as the mistress of ceremonies.
During the inaugural address, Governor Lujan Grisham spoke about several priorities for the coming year including working with the New Mexico State Legislature to fight homelessness through affordable housing opportunities, opioid prevention, support for mental health, early childhood education support, job creation, violent crime prevention, and the codification of Roe v. Wade at the state level.
The Governor also announced that she will seek the establishment of a New Mexico health care authority, to make health care more accessible and affordable for all citizens of the state. She also noted that she will request the State Legislature to increase the state budget to cover health care premium costs for all school educators and workers across the state.
U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and U.S. Representative-elect Gabe Vasquez were also in attendance to offer their support The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President congratulates Governor Lujan Grisham, Lt. Governor Morales, and their families.
