TL/DR –
In less than a year, Arizonans will be voting for their Congressional representatives, with two House races gaining national attention. Following Republican David Schweikert’s decision to run for governor in 2026 instead of re-election for the Congressional District 1 seat, both Republicans and Democrats have shown interest in the position. The Congressional District 6 seat, currently held by Republican Juan Ciscomani, is considered a toss up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, with Democrats putting forth retired U.S. Marine JoAnna Mendoza as a potential candidate.
Arizona’s Competitive House Races in Focus
With the political attention currently on the government shutdown and the economy’s instability, Arizonans are preparing to voice their opinions at the ballot box in less than a year. Two key House races in Arizona are gaining national attention. David Schweikert’s decision to run for governor in 2026 leaves his Congressional District 1 seat open.
Possible Candidates for CD1
Speculations are rife about possible Republican contenders, including IndyCar racer Danica Patrick and former Arizona State University head football coach Todd Graham. State Reps. Matt Gress, Joseph Chaplik, and Justin Wilmeth, along with Arizona Republican party chair Gina Swoboda, are also potential candidates. For the Democrats, voting rights attorney Mark Robert Gordon, Dr. Amish Shah, and Marlene Galán-Woods have already announced their campaigns.
The Situation in CD6
Congressional District 6, currently represented by Republican Juan Ciscomani, is listed as a toss up by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Democrats nearly won this seat in 2024, losing by just 2.5 percentage points. This time, retired U.S. Marine JoAnna Mendoza has entered the race, securing endorsements from Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with several high-profile Democratic organizations.
A shift in the outcome of these two races could redefine the Congressional landscape after the midterm election. “Two of the most important pickup opportunities for Democrats will be in Arizona,” said Erin Covey, editor of House elections for Cook Political Report.
Learn more about the evolving political situation in this week’s episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast hosted by Ron Hansen.
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