TUCSON — Both candidates for Congress in the district that represents Graham, Greenlee and Cochise counties went on the attack during the race’s lone debate Thursday.
Incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani and Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza both called each other liars when discussing the other’s positions.
On the issue of high cost of living, Ciscomani said the lack of affordability started under the Biden administration. He cited passage of HR 1 — the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — as taking the right steps to curb inflation.
“When you let people keep their taxes on tips and on overtime, and you extend the child tax credit, and you give small businesses incentives to expand and invest in their businesses, all these things help,” Ciscomani said.
Mendoza said Republicans’ HR 1 is just one of the causes of unaffordability.
“If we look at tariffs, my opponent voted nine times for tariffs. Tariffs that are raising prices everywhere we go,” Mendoza said.
They agreed that water and border security are high priorities for the district and the state; however, they disagreed on impacts to veterans’ services, with Ciscomani saying services have been improved while Mendoza saying wait times for VA doctors has increased.
Mendoza criticized the military actions taking by the Trump administration, saying there is no plan. Ciscomani countered by saying there was an “imminent threat” that Iran will develop a nuclear weapon.
Ciscomani said he has sponsored legislation to expand the guest worker immigration plan, while Mendoza said both parties have “kicked the can down the road” for decades when it comes to comprehensive immigration reform.
Early voting starts Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 29. Early ballots may be cast in each county’s Recorder’s Office, while mail ballots may be mailed in, dropped off in the Recorder’s Office and placed in a ballot drop box.
In Graham County, ballot drop boxes are located at:
- The Graham County General Services Building, Safford
- Meg’s Place, Fort Thomas
- Robert Olivar Sr. Learning Center, Bylas
- Peridot Administration Office, Peridot
- Bonita Elementary School, Bonita
In Greenlee County, ballot drop boxes are located at:
- Greenlee County Annex, Clifton
- Greenlee County Annex South, Duncan
In Cochise County, ballot drop boxes are located at the County Services Centers in Willcox, Benson, Sierra Vista and Douglas; and the Recorder’s Office.
The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election is Oct. 5.
