Arizona Republican Primary Results
Rep. Juan Siscomani, a Republican from Arizona, has secured the nomination for the upcoming election in a district that Democrats consider crucial for regaining control of the House.
Siscomani, known as a moderate, is aiming for a third term and, interestingly, ran uncontested in the primary with backing from former President Donald Trump.
The southeastern Arizona district encompasses areas from the Tucson suburbs to the U.S.-Mexico border, making it one of the most competitive congressional races nationwide. In a close contest, Trump managed to retain this seat by less than 1 percentage point in 2024, having lost it by a similar margin in 2020.
On the Democratic side, Joanna Mendoza, a Marine veteran and political consultant, also faced no challengers in her primary. However, she is currently grappling with several scandals that might undermine her campaign as November approaches.
These controversies include following a number of OnlyFans models and individuals who identify as witches on her official Instagram, which has drawn considerable attention. Some of the content she engaged with originated from a transgender socialist activist known for posting provocative material.
Mendoza, who identifies as bisexual, has faced Republican criticism after previous comments resurfaced regarding the decriminalization of prostitution, which she made back in 2020 during an interview with LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Arizona. She emphasized the need for accessible resources and support for marginalized communities, particularly “trans women of color.”
In remarks, she said, “It’s important to ensure access to resources and healthcare,” underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee labeled Mendoza as a “far-left lobbyist,” claiming she poses a threat to Arizona’s working-class citizens.
The Democratic Party considers Mendoza a promising candidate and has included her in their Red to Blue initiative, aimed at supporting competitive candidates. However, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has classified Siscomani’s re-election attempt as facing significant challenges.
Siscomani, who previously worked as a senior adviser under former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and with the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is expected to highlight his collaborative approach as he campaigns for another term. He is affiliated with the centrist Problem Solvers Conference and the Main Street Conference, defining himself as a pragmatic conservative.
In the previous election, Siscomani beat former state Senator Kirsten Engel by over 3 percentage points in a rematch. He first obtained his seat in 2022, winning by just under 6,000 votes and marking the milestone of being the first naturalized citizen from Mexico to be elected to Congress.
