Republican Juan Ciscomani declares victory, Kirsten Engel concedes in Arizona CD6 race
Nov 13, 2024, 10:09 AM | Updated: Nov 14, 2024, 6:13 am
Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani declared victory over Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel in Arizona's 6th Congressional District. (Campaign Photos)
(Campaign Photos)
PHOENIX — Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani declared victory Wednesday in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District race after Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel conceded.
“Earlier today, Kirsten Engel called to concede the race and congratulate our team on winning a second term. Now, it is time to get to work. Our country is facing big challenges and I am ready to continue tackling these issues head-on,” Ciscomani said in a statement eight days after Election Day.
Ciscomani said his top priorities are “securing our border, lowering costs and ensuring that our veterans and seniors are protected and valued.”
He issued his statement to the media shortly after noon, not long after after Engel posted a concession statement on social media.
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The Associated Press still hadn’t called the race when the candidates had accepted the outcome, although Ciscomani was leading by 6,867 votes (49.7%-47.9%) to start the day, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office unofficial results page. Green Party candidate Athena Eastwood was drawing over 2% of the vote.
The Associated Press called it for Ciscomani on Wednesday night after more results were reported.
The CD6 lead changed hands several times after the first results were reported on Nov. 5, but Ciscomani pulled away as counting progressed this week. His lead has tripled since it was just over 2,000 votes on Monday morning.
The district covers much of southeastern Arizona, including the entirety of Greenlee County, most of Cochise County and parts of Pima, Graham and Pinal counties.
The Associated Press projected winners in Arizona’s eight other congressional races by Sunday night, five days after Election Day.
Ciscomani turns back Engel once again
Ciscomani also defeated Engel in the 2022 general election, with a winning margin of fewer than 6,000 votes.
Ciscomani is the first naturalized American from Mexico to represent Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives.
He was born in Hermosillo, Sonora. He was 11 when his parents brought him and his two younger sisters to Tucson.
Engel, meanwhile, is an environmental attorney who has served in both the state House and Senate. She ran unopposed in this year’s Democratic primary.
This is an updated version of a story originally published on Nov. 6, 2024.
