PHOENIX — In a closely contested rematch, Republican Representative Juan Ciscomani has successfully secured reelection for a U.S. House seat in southeastern Arizona, defeating Democrat Kirsten Engel, whom he narrowly won against two years prior.
Ciscomani triumphed in the race for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, which stretches from Tucson to the New Mexico border and includes a significant portion of the Arizona-Mexico border. His victory ensures that Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House, bolstering the party’s position alongside President-elect Donald Trump at the helm of the federal government.
In a statement made on Wednesday, shortly after Engel conceded the race, Ciscomani expressed readiness to address pressing challenges. “Now, it is time to get to work,” he stated, adding, “Our country is facing big challenges and I am ready to continue tackling these issues head-on. Our top priorities — securing our border, lowering costs, and ensuring that our veterans and seniors are protected and valued — are essential to the strength and stability of our district and country.”
Kirsten Engel took to social media platform X to acknowledge the outcome, saying, “The voters have made their decision and we must respect it – I will not be the next Representative for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District. While we came up short, I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve put in.”
Ciscomani, who previously served as an aide to former Republican Governor Doug Ducey, immigrated from Mexico as a child and cites border enforcement as his primary focus, though he has tried to separate himself from Trump’s harsh immigration stance. Engel, a law professor at the University of Arizona and a former state legislator, has criticized Ciscomani for previously rejecting a significant bipartisan border legislation in February that aimed to reform the asylum process and provide the president with enhanced powers to manage overwhelming asylum claims.
The political landscape in the district reveals a nearly balanced registration among Democrats, Republicans, and independents, with a slight edge for the GOP. Ciscomani first won his seat in 2022 by a margin exceeding 5,200 votes. Following this recent election, Arizona’s House delegation remains consistent, comprising six Republicans and three Democrats.