(The Center Square) – Juan Ciscomani has maintained his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Arizona’s Congressional District 6. He narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent Kirsten Engel by 6,867 votes with 99% of precincts reporting, securing a seat for Republicans in the battle for the lower chamber.
“Earlier today, Kirsten Engel called to concede the race and congratulate our team on winning a second term,” reads a statement from Ciscomani. “Now, it is time to get to work. Our country is facing big challenges and I am ready to continue tackling these issues head-on. The American Dream is a promise that every American deserves a fair shot at building a better life. As I return to Washington, I promise to bring the voice of Arizona’s 6th District with me and to work across the aisle to keep that dream within reach for Arizonans.”
Ciscomani has been in the House since 2023, where he has prioritized using natural resources, voting to repeal clean energy tax credits. He has also introduced legislation focusing on women’s health including early breast and cervical cancer detection and maternal and infant delivery support.
Earlier this year, Ciscomani proposed the End the Border Catastrophe Act earlier this year which did not pass due to a lack of Democratic support.
“Growing threats have made the need to secure our border even more urgent,” Ciscomani said in a statement. “While I was disappointed that my effort to increase resources at our southern border was blocked, I will continue to prioritize this type of legislation as long as I am in Congress.”
Engel is a former state legislator whose priorities for Congress were combatting the drought, protecting abortion access, strengthening Medicare and securing the Southern border.
Additionally, during her time in the legislature, Engel worked on the Colorado Drought Contingency Plan, fighting for Arizona’s share of Colorado River water.
In contrast to Ciscomani’s plans for the Southern border, Engel has advocated for the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act which would have secured $118 billion to expand detention facilities and hired more border control agents, asylum officers and immigration judges. Ciscomani voted against this bill in the House and it did not pass through the Senate.
“The voters have made their decision and we must respect it,” reads a statement from Engel. “This isn’t the result we wanted, and I know many of you are disappointed – I am too – but we cannot lose sight of why we got into this fight. It has been an honor to be the Democratic nominee for Congress and, although this campaign is over, my work to make life better for Arizonans will continue.”
