Ned Norris Jr.

Ned Norris Jr. (born 1955) is chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation of southern Arizona. He previously held the office for two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2015, and was returned to the office in 2019. Norris previously worked as the director of marketing and public relations for the O'odham Gaming Authority.

Biography

Early life Ned Norris Jr. was born in 1955 and raised in Tucson, Arizona.

Chairman of the Tohono O'odham (2007–2015, 2019–) Video featuring Norris about protecting Tohono O'odham burial grounds in 2020. In 2007, Norris challenged incumbent Chairman Juan-Saunders in the Tohono O'odham executive election.

He announced that his priorities as Chairman are to attract college educated Tohono O'odham back to the reservation, as well as focus on health care and the alleviation of unemployment.

In 2011, Norris announced his candidacy for re-election as chairman. Wavalene Marie Romero, a Tohono O'odham councilwoman, is Norris' running mate for vice chairman. Vice Chairman Isidro Lopez chose to retire rather than seek a second term.

On Saturday, May 28, 2011, Ned Norris Jr. was re-elected to a second term as Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation. The total number of votes was 3,729. Norris received 2,238 votes defeating Juan-Saunders who received 1,491 votes.

In May 2015, Norris and his running mate Romero were defeated by former Chairman Edward D. Manuel by 213 votes.

In May 2019, Norris won a runoff election to defeat Manuel and to return to the office of Chairman.