Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a Republican from Arizona, has secured the GOP primary nomination in a competitive district that Democrats aim to flip in the upcoming elections. Ciscomani, who is seeking a third term, ran unopposed and received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
The district, located in southeastern Arizona and including Tucson's suburbs and the U.S.-Mexico border, is considered one of the most contested House races in the nation. Trump won this district by less than 1 percentage point in the 2024 election after losing it by a similar margin in 2020.
In the Democratic primary, JoAnna Mendoza, a Marine veteran and political consultant, also ran unopposed. Mendoza has faced scrutiny due to several scandals that may impact her campaign. She has been criticized for following explicit accounts on social media, including those of OnlyFans models and a transgender activist.
Mendoza, who identifies as bisexual, has also faced criticism from Republicans for her past comments on decriminalizing prostitution, which were made in response to a question from an LGBTQ advocacy group.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has labeled Mendoza as a risk to working Arizonans. Despite the challenges, Democrats see her as a strong candidate and have included her in their