Juan Ciscomani Edges Out Kirsten Engel in Nail-Biting Race for Reelection

Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani has gained a slight edge over former Democratic state legislator Kirsten Engel in a closely watched contest for southern Arizona’s Congressional District 6.

The district, covering the eastern half of Tucson and extending to the state’s southern and eastern borders, has been a top priority for Democrats this electoral cycle. Significant resources have been poured into efforts aimed at flipping the seat blue.

Initially, Engel held a lead among early voters, maintaining a 10-point advantage throughout much of election night. However, Ciscomani’s robust performance on Election Day narrowed Engel’s lead considerably, resulting in a tight race.

As of early Wednesday morning, Ciscomani emerged with a narrow 417-vote lead based on the votes counted so far.

This election marks a rematch of the 2022 race, in which Ciscomani defeated Engel by a margin of less than two percentage points.

Engel’s campaign has emphasized Ciscomani’s voting record on abortion access and his associations with conservative groups advocating “restoring Biblical values.” She has targeted his leadership role on the board of a nonprofit linked to the Texas-based Patriot Academy.

In contrast, Ciscomani claims the title of one of the most bipartisan lawmakers in the House and highlights his efforts to secure federal funding for the district, which encompasses parts of Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties. He characterized Engel as disconnected from local concerns, criticizing her stance on border security and law enforcement.

In related political news, Republicans have gained a majority in the U.S. Senate and are on track to regain control of the House of Representatives.

As of Wednesday evening, Pinal County, part of the district, still had over 25% of its precincts yet to report results, indicating that the final outcome could still shift.