Who is Juan Ciscomani? What to know about the Republican who will replace Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick

Republican Juan Ciscomani is expected to fill Arizona’s only open congressional seat, representing the southeastern portion of the state.

Ciscomani was leading Democrat Kirsten Engel by a narrow margin in their race to represent Arizona’s new 6th Congressional District, created after post-census redistricting shifted the old 2nd Congressional District. The seat was open because incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., decided to retire.

The Associated Press called the race for Ciscomani at 7:27 p.m. Monday.

Election coverage: Arizona election results

Here’s what you should know about Ciscomani:

What’s Juan Ciscomani's background?

Ciscomani, 40, is a native of Hermosillo, Sonora, but he grew up in Tucson as a first-generation American.

He went to public schools in Tucson and was the first in his family to graduate college, after attending Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, per his campaign website.

After graduating, Ciscomani worked as a senior program development specialist at UA.

Ciscomani has said his family’s immigrant experience and growing up in a working-class family taught him the importance of hard work, conservative values and optimism.

Ciscomani and his wife, Laura, live in Tucson with their six children.

How did he get into politics?

Ciscomani is a longtime aide to Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, having worked with the outgoing two-term governor since 2015.

He first directed Ducey’s southern Arizona office and later served as the governor’s senior adviser for regional and international affairs, working in part on community and border issues.

Prior to that, he was vice president of outreach for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, focused on lowering taxes and eliminating regulations that were hindering small business owners, per his website.

Ciscomani served as vice chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission.

He announced his run for U.S. Congress in August 2021, about a year before the 2022 GOP primary election.

The Arizona Republic editorial board labeled Ciscomani one of 12 Arizonans to watch in 2018, noting his role in strengthening the state’s relationship with Mexico.

“This father of five (now six) should be on your radar because his political career is on a upward trajectory. A run for Congress in the near future perhaps?” the board wrote at the end of 2017.

What are Ciscomani's top issues?

Ciscomani’s top priority is securing the southern border through what he’s called an “all-of-the-above approach” using technology, manpower and a complete wall. He’s said President Joe Biden’s administration’s policies and rhetoric have caused a crisis at the border and it must be secured to stop drugs and human trafficking.

Other priorities include addressing inflation and getting federal spending under control. Ciscomani has said he’d bring a “limited government agenda” to Congress.

He wants to address election integrity by supporting voter ID requirements. He supports gun rights in the 2nd Amendment, is “proudly pro-life” and backs American energy independence.

Who backed Juan Ciscomani?

Ciscomani got endorsements from a number of local and national Republican politicians as well as organizations ranging from Republican political action committees to local groups like the Arizona Police Association and the National Border Patrol Council, according to his website.

He benefitted from significant outside advertising funding for him and against Engel from groups like the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC focused on electing Republicans to the House.

Flipping the seat red would help Republicans in their attempt to regain control of the U.S. House.

Who did he run against for Congress?

Ciscomani faced Engel, a former state senator, in the Nov. 8, 2022, general election. Results showed a very close race, with some ballots still being counted about a week out from Election Day.

Engel’s top two issues for the district are abortion access and water. She wants Congress to codify Roe v. Wade, and on the water front, work to make sure all basin states do their part in reducing reliance on the Colorado River, conserving water and growing water resources.

The redrawn maps made the district more Republican-leaning, including parts of historically red Pinal, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties, plus parts of more blue Pima County. The district includes the state’s southeastern border and stretches north almost as far as Alpine and as far west as eastern Tucson.

Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who is Juan Ciscomani? Meet Arizona's newest congressman