Juan Ciscomani Poised for Reelection Victory Against Kirsten Engel

Incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani is gaining momentum in his reelection bid for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, with recent ballot counts revealing a lead of nearly 4,900 votes over former state lawmaker Kirsten Engel.

The race in this competitive district, which covers the eastern half of Tucson and extends to the southern and eastern borders of Arizona, has been a focal point for Democrats aiming to reclaim the seat. Just days prior, Ciscomani’s lead stood at approximately 1,200 votes, illustrating the volatile nature of this election.

This election marks a rematch from 2022, where Ciscomani narrowly defeated Engel by less than two percentage points. The candidates have exchanged leads as ballot counts progressed, often within a matter of hours.

Engel’s campaign targeted Ciscomani’s voting record on issues like abortion access and his affiliation with conservative groups that oppose LGBTQ rights. Notably, Ciscomani has been involved with the Patriot Academy, a Texas-based nonprofit advocating for conservative values.

In contrast, Ciscomani is emphasizing his bipartisan reputation and his efforts to secure federal funding for the district, which includes portions of Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee counties. He has labeled Engel as “out-of-touch” and criticized her stance on law enforcement and border security.

As Republicans prepare to potentially reclaim control of the House and Senate, the outcome of this race could have significant repercussions. While the Associated Press has yet to officially call the race for Ciscomani, analysts at Decision Desk HQ have indicated he is likely to win.

Approximately half of Pima County falls within CD6, with nearly 63,000 ballots remaining to be counted. However, it remains unclear how many of these ballots are specifically from CD6 versus neighboring Congressional District 7. Additionally, Cochise County has around 22,000 uncounted ballots, nearly all within CD6 boundaries.