Honestly, trying to keep track of everyone on the ballot in Arizona feels like a full-time job. With the 2024 election cycle now in the rearview mirror, we finally have the dust settled on the roster of who is running for AZ congress 2024. This wasn't just a standard election year; it was a high-stakes reshuffling of Arizona’s political DNA. We saw razor-thin margins that required manual recounts and historic firsts that changed the face of the delegation.
From the cactus-filled suburbs of Scottsdale to the massive stretches of the Navajo Nation, the battle for Arizona's nine House seats was intense. It’s kinda wild how a few thousand votes in a single district can shift the entire balance of power in Washington. You've probably heard the names, but let’s look at who actually stood their ground and who is packing their bags.
The Big Rematches: Who is running for AZ congress 2024 in the Battlegrounds
Some of the most watched races were basically sequels to 2022. In Congressional District 1, incumbent Republican David Schweikert faced off against Democrat Amish Shah. This district is basically a political blender, mixing North Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Cave Creek. Schweikert has been winning by smaller and smaller gaps every year. This time, he managed to hold on with 51.9% of the vote. Shah, a physician known for literally knocking on thousands of doors, made it incredibly close, but the incumbent’s lead in the Scottsdale area proved too high a hill to climb.
Down in the 6th District, it was another "Round 2" situation. Republican Juan Ciscomani and Democrat Kirsten Engel had a rematch that kept everyone on edge for days after the polls closed. Ciscomani, who made history as the first naturalized Mexican-American to represent Arizona in Congress, eventually held his seat with about 50% of the vote. Engel actually conceded on November 13, acknowledging that while the margin was tight, the voters had spoken.
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The Changing Face of Arizona Leadership
One of the biggest shifts happened in Congressional District 3. This seat was left open because Ruben Gallego decided to run for the U.S. Senate (where he ultimately defeated Kari Lake). This created a vacuum that led to one of the most stressful primary recounts in state history.
Democrat Yassamin Ansari, a former Phoenix Vice Mayor, beat Raquel Terán by a literal handful of votes. Seriously, after a recount, the difference was basically a rounding error—Ansari won the primary by only 42 votes! She then cruised through the general election, defeating Republican Jeffrey Zink.
Then there’s the story of the 7th District. For over twenty years, Raúl Grijalva was the voice of this border-hugging district. After his passing, a special election took place in 2025 to fill the remainder of his term, but the 2024 race saw him winning one last time before his seat was eventually contested by his daughter, Adelita Grijalva. She made history herself, becoming the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress after winning that special election battle.
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A Quick Rundown of the Other Seats
If you’re looking for the full list of who else made the cut, here’s the breakdown of the remaining districts:
- District 2: Republican incumbent Eli Crane defended his seat against Jonathan Nez, the former President of the Navajo Nation. Crane maintained a solid lead in this massive, mostly rural district.
- District 4: Greg Stanton, the former Phoenix Mayor, kept his seat blue by defeating Republican challenger Kelly Cooper.
- District 5: Andy Biggs had a relatively straightforward night, holding off Democrat Katrina Schaffner.
- District 8: This was another open seat since Debbie Lesko stepped down. Republican Abraham Hamadeh won a crowded field to take this spot, beating Democrat Gregory Whitten.
- District 9: Veteran Congressman Paul Gosar easily won reelection against Democrat Quacy Smith in the western part of the state.
Why the Margins Mattered
Arizona is no longer a "safe" state for either party. It's purple. The fact that incumbents like Schweikert and Ciscomani have to fight tooth and nail every two years shows how much the demographics are shifting.
Basically, the 2024 results kept the partisan split exactly where it was: 6 Republicans and 3 Democrats. Despite all the money spent and the aggressive campaigning, the "status quo" won out, but the ground underneath is definitely moving.
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If you want to stay ahead of the next cycle, your best bet is to check your current registration status. The lines for these districts can change slightly with redistricting tweaks, so knowing exactly which district you fall into—especially if you're in a high-growth area like the West Valley or Gilbert—is key. You can find your specific representative and district maps on the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission website.
Actionable Next Steps:
To make sure you're ready for the 2026 midterms, go to the Arizona Secretary of State’s website and verify your voter registration. If you've moved recently, you might be in a completely different congressional district than you were in 2024. Also, keep an eye on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings for 2026; candidates usually start fundraising and "testing the waters" as early as late 2025. Knowing who is raising money now gives you a massive head start on who will be on your ballot next time.