Republicans projected to win 6 of Arizona’s 9 US House seats

PHOENIX — In the first election under new district maps, Republicans are projected to win six of Arizona’s nine seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The two-seat swing in Arizona is a major blow to national Democrats’ hopes of holding control of the House.

The final two calls from The Associated Press came Monday night, when Republicans David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani were projected to win.

Democrats held five of the state’s congressional seats heading into the election and got off to a strong start, with Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva projected as winners on Election Night. Rep. Greg Stanton secured his reelection on Friday.

But Republicans had a head start, with Reps. Debbie Lesko and Paul Gosar running unopposed. Another GOP incumbent, Andy Biggs, secured his reelection on Wednesday.

A big swing came Thursday, when The AP projected that challenger Eli Crane would unseat Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran.

There is nothing official about a media call. The AP calls races when the wire service’s election experts are confident the outcome is no longer in doubt, based on factors such as reported results, the number of remaining ballots and expected trends in remaining ballots.

Here’s a breakdown of Arizona’s contested congressional races with the latest results from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office (updated around 7:30 p.m. Monday):

District 1

Democrat Jevin Hodge unsuccessfully attempted to oust six-term Republican incumbent David Schweikert.

Schweikert sought a seventh term despite numerous campaign finance allegations that led to fines for him and his election committee.

Hodge is the owner of a head start program.

Latest: Schweikert leads 50.4%-49.6%, a margin of 3,008 votes.

District 2

Republican Eli Crane unseated U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran, who was seeking a fourth term in Congress. The new maps put O’Halleran in a vulnerable district as a Democrat.

“There’s no denying that my team and I are incredibly disappointed in these results, but I thank the families of Arizona’s First District for giving me the opportunity to serve you these last six years,” O’Halleran said Friday in a concession statement.

“I thank my opponent for a well-fought and challenging race and wish him all the best in his service to Arizona’s Second District.”

Crane, a former Navy SEAL, is a political newcomer who was endorsed by Donald Trump.

Latest: Crane leads 54.1%-45.9%, a margin of 24,931 votes.

District 3

Ruben Gallego, who served Arizona’s 7th Congressional District for four terms before redistricting, easily put away Republican Jeff Nelson Zink.

Latest: Gallego leads 77.0%-23.0%, a margin of 75,227.

District 4

Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor, was projected Friday by The Associated Press to defeat Republican challenger Kelly Cooper.

Stanton secured a third term.

Latest: Stanton leads 56.2%-43.8%, a margin of 32,349 votes.

District 5

Republican incumbent Andy Biggs cruised to victory in a three-way race to hold onto his East Valley seat.

Biggs is a former president of the Arizona senate who was elected to Congress in 2016.

Latest: Biggs 56.6%, Ramos 37.6%, Independent Clint Smith 5.9%. Biggs’ lead over Ramos was 59,878 votes.

District 6

Republican Juan Ciscomani defeated Democrat Kirsten Engel for a seat left vacant after redistricting and Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick’s retirement.

Latest: Ciscomani leads 50.5%-49.5%, a margin of 3,502 votes.

District 7

Republican Luis Pozzolo was no match for southern Arizona stalwart Rep. Raul Grijalva, who served Arizona’s third district since 2003.

Result: Grijalva leads 64.6%-35.4%, a margin of 55,870 votes.

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