Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a Republican from Arizona, has secured the GOP primary nomination in a competitive district that Democrats are targeting in their efforts to regain control of the House. Ciscomani, who is a moderate Republican seeking a third term, ran unopposed and received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. The district, located in southeastern Arizona and encompassing Tucson's suburbs to the U.S.-Mexico border, is considered one of the most competitive House races in the nation. In the 2024 election, Trump won the district by less than 1 percentage point, having lost it by a similar margin in 2020.
In the Democratic primary, JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine veteran and political consultant, also ran unopposed. However, she has faced scrutiny due to several scandals that may impact her campaign leading up to the November election. Mendoza has been criticized for following accounts of OnlyFans models and individuals identifying as witches on her campaign's Instagram account. Additionally, past comments regarding the decriminalization of prostitution have drawn attention, with Mendoza stating the importance of providing resources and support for marginalized communities.
The National Republican Congressional Committee has labeled Mendoza as a risk to working Arizonans. Despite the controversies, Democrats consider her a strong candidate and have included her in their "Red to Blue" program aimed at supporting promising candidates. The Cook Political Report has classified Ciscomani's re-election bid as a "toss-up." Ciscomani, who has previously served as a senior advisor to former Governor Doug Ducey and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is expected to emphasize his bipartisan approach in his campaign. He is a member of the centrist Problem Solvers Caucus and the Main Street Caucus, which identifies as pragmatic conservatives. Ciscomani first won his seat in 2022, defeating former state Senator Kirsten Engel by fewer than 6,000 votes.