PHOENIX (AP) 鈥� Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani won reelection to a U.S. House seat in southeastern Arizona in a rematch that pitted him against the Democrat he two years ago.
Ciscomani defeated Democrat Kirsten Engel in the race for Arizona鈥檚 6th Congressional District, which runs from Tucson east to the New Mexico state line and includes a stretch of the Arizona-Mexico border.
With Ciscomani鈥檚 win, Republicans have enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party鈥檚 sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect .
鈥淣ow, it is time to get to work,鈥� Ciscomani said in a statement Wednesday after Engel called him to concede, but before The Associated Press declared a winner.
鈥淥ur country is facing big challenges and I am ready to continue tackling these issues head-on,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur top priorities 鈥� securing our border, lowering costs, and ensuring that our veterans and seniors are protected and valued 鈥� are essential to the strength and stability of our district and country.鈥�
Engel wrote on the social platform X, 鈥淭he voters have made their decision and we must respect it 鈥� I will not be the next Representative for Arizona鈥檚 6th Congressional District. While we came up short, I couldn鈥檛 be prouder of the work we鈥檝e put in.鈥�
Ciscomani was an aide to former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. He immigrated from Mexico as a child and calls his top priority but has distanced himself from Trump鈥檚 anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Engel, a law professor at the University of Arizona and a former state legislator, has pointed out Ciscomani n February that would have overhauled the asylum system and given the president new powers to expel migrants when asylum claims become overwhelming.
Voter registration in the district is closely divided among Democrats, Republicans and independents, although the GOP has a slight advantage.
Ciscomani won his first term in 2022 when he beat Engel by over 5,200 votes.
With Ciscomani鈥檚 win this election, the state鈥檚 House delegation is unchanged with six Republicans and three Democrats.
The Associated Press
