Kirsten Engel Acknowledges Defeat in Southern AZ Congressional Battle to Juan Ciscomani

Kirsten Engel, a former Democratic state lawmaker, officially conceded her race against incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani on Wednesday afternoon.

Engel sought to unseat Ciscomani in a fiercely contested battle for southern Arizona’s Congressional District 6, which covers the eastern half of Tucson as well as areas near the state’s southern and eastern borders. This race was crucial for Democrats, who aimed to recapture the seat.

“The voters have made their decision, and we must respect that,” Engel stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Although we fell short, I am proud of our efforts to represent the needs and aspirations of Southern Arizonans in Washington.”

Although the race has not yet been officially called by the Associated Press, Ciscomani currently leads by nearly 7,000 votes. The contest saw both candidates alternate in the lead, but recent trends have favored the incumbent.

This election served as a rematch from 2022, when Ciscomani had edged out Engel by less than two percentage points.

In a press release, Ciscomani announced, “Earlier today, Kirsten Engel called to concede the race and congratulate our team on winning a second term. Now, it is time to get to work.” He added that he remains committed to ensuring the American Dream is accessible to all citizens of his district.

According to the Tucson Sentinel, Engel’s campaign concentrated on Ciscomani’s votes aimed at restricting abortion access and his association with a conservative organization advocating for “Biblical values,” which opposes abortion and LGBTQ rights. Ciscomani has been involved with the board of directors of the Texas-based Patriot Academy, a nonprofit focused on similar issues.

Ciscomani countered by highlighting his bipartisan track record and his efforts to secure federal funding for Congressional District 6, which includes areas in Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties. He characterized Engel as “out-of-touch and elite,” accusing her of being weak on border security and lacking support for law enforcement.