Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Sets Sights on 3 Republican Congressmen for 2026 Showdown

By Matthew Holloway |

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is zeroing in on the congressional districts represented by Congressmen David Schweikert (AZ-01), Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) as part of its strategy for the 2026 elections.

The Arizona Democratic Party underscored its goal to secure these pivotal seats, aiming for a Democratic majority in the House. They characterized the three Republican incumbents as “vulnerable,” asserting that their districts are “competitive.”

Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Robert E. Branscomb, II, remarked, “Arizonans are tired of David Schweikert, Eli Crane, Juan Ciscomani and other MAGA-cronies playing politics with the issues that impact their ability to make ends meet.” He emphasized the party’s commitment to accountability and electing leaders who would advance Arizona’s interests. However, assessing the landscape in these districts presents a more complex picture.

Both Schweikert and Ciscomani secured their seats in the recent election with narrow margins of 2-3%. Schweikert switched from CD6 to CD1 due to redistricting, and both districts are inherently competitive, as noted by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC). The 2021 commission reported a 2.6% vote spread in District 1 and a 2.4% spread in District 6, which were evident in the 2024 elections.

Historically, the District 6 area has tilted towards Republicans, with six victories compared to three for Democrats in the last nine statewide elections. In contrast, District 1 presents a more balanced picture with a 5 to 4 GOP advantage, reinforcing its designation as the most competitive.

On the same day the Arizona Democratic Party issued its statement, Ciscomani and Crane conducted telephone town hall meetings to engage with their constituents.

However, the DCCC’s analysis of Crane’s District 2 appears less favorable. The district has not seen a Democratic win in the last nine elections and was crafted to maintain a 7.2% competitive vote spread. Crane overcame this with a solid nine-point victory over Democrat Jonathan Nez in the previous election.

As reported by AZ Free News, following the announcement of targeted efforts by a Democrat SuperPAC, Crane confidently stated on social media, “The great thing about #AZ02 is they see through phony attacks by coastal elites. Bring it.”

Considering the historical voting patterns: two districts designed with a tilt towards Democrats and one that remains virtually out of reach, the Arizona Democrats’ classification of these incumbents as “vulnerable” raises questions about the accuracy of their assessments.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.