Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District Race Finally Decided 4 Days Post-Election: Discover the Winner!

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Incumbent Rep. Eli Crane has secured victory against former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez in the contest for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Flagstaff and stretches across the Navajo Nation, as reported by the Associated Press.

The AP officially called the race at 6:53 p.m. Arizona time on Saturday, marking the conclusion of four days of vote counting following Election Day.

This congressional district is notable for its diverse demographics, with nearly a quarter of its population identifying as Native American. Their political influence surged after significant participation in the 2020 presidential election.

Arizona’s CD2 covers a vast area across northern and eastern Arizona, hosting 14 of the 22 federally recognized tribes in the state.

In a statement, AP Politics declared Crane’s reelection to the U.S. House at 8:53 p.m. EST on the same day.

Rep. Eli Crane, a Republican and U.S. Navy veteran, first entered office in 2022 by unseating longtime Democrat Tom O’Halleran. His political stance aligns with the “America First” ideology, emphasizing pro-life principles, Second Amendment rights, and opposition to what he terms cancel culture.

Despite his electoral success, Crane faced criticism in 2023 for referring to Black individuals as “colored people” during a House floor debate, a comment he later attributed to a slip of the tongue. He also participated in the vote that removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his role.

Among his key campaign issues are enhancing border security and opposing the implementation of Critical Race Theory in Arizona educational institutions.

Jonathan Nez, the Democratic challenger, previously held prominent roles in the Navajo Nation government, including vice president and president, until his reelection bid failed in 2023. Nez has expressed concern over political divisiveness and called for more constructive governance in Arizona.

Nez highlighted his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as a pivotal experience. Should he have won, he would have made history as Arizona’s first Indigenous Representative in the U.S. House.