TUCSON — The most recent campaign finance filings have prompted one political research group to call the race for the congressional district serving Graham and Greenlee counties a toss-up.
The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia said the race for Arizona Congressional District 6 was originally leaning for incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani. However, Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel reported raising almost $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, to $635,000 raised by Ciscomani, turning the race into a toss-up.
Ciscomani does have more cash on hand leading up to election. Ciscomani reports having $2.5 million available to $1.9 million held by Engel.
In 2022, the race for CD-6 was one of the closest in the state, with Ciscomani defeating Engel by 1.4 percentage points.
The Center for Politics also changed its call on the U.S. Senate race in Arizona, from toss-up to leans Democratic.
The presumptive Republican nominee, Kari Lake, raised $3.6 million in the first quarter, including $1 million during a fund-raiser with Donald Trump in Florida. But Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego raised $7.5 million during that same time.
Gallego also holds a four-to-one advantage in cash on hand ($9.6 million to Lake’s $2.5 million), and Lake will have to spend before the November General Election to fend off a Republican primary challenge by Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb.
The Center for Politics also notes the November ballot initiative that would amend the Arizona’s Constitution to ensure women’s access to health care — including abortion — would likely increase voter turnout in favor of Democrats.
