Overview
- The Citizens Clean Elections Commission hosted a televised debate on Sept. 10 that featured incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza as the only major-party participants.
- Mendoza attacked Ciscomani’s record for backing a Trump-era spending bill that included Medicaid and SNAP cuts, tying those votes to local hospital and aid shortfalls.
- Ciscomani defended his votes as mixed and pointed to provisions that benefit rural hospitals and families while directing voters to campaign material criticizing Mendoza’s pre-campaign work.
- Republican-aligned outside groups have run ads highlighting a property tax credit filing issue for Mendoza and labeling her a liberal lobbyist, while Mendoza’s campaign has aired spots accusing Ciscomani of voting to cut local benefits.
- The race remains one of the few truly competitive House contests in Arizona, drawing millions in outside spending and moving toward early voting that begins Oct. 7 ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.