Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani and Democratic challenger JoAnna Mendoza will face each other for the first time in a debate tonight at 6 p.m.
Ciscomani is seeking a third term in Congress after first winning the seat in 2022. He narrowly defeated Democrat Kirsten Engel in 2022 and again in a 2024 rematch.
Before being elected to Congress, Ciscomani served as a senior adviser to former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and as director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission.
Mendoza, a Marine Corps veteran, previously ran for state senate in 2020 and lost to Republican Vince Leach in District 11.
The debate will give voters a chance to hear directly from the two major-party candidates competing in one of Arizona’s most closely watched congressional districts.
About Arizona Congressional District 6
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District covers parts of Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties and includes much of eastern Tucson as well as communities in southeastern Arizona. Use this tool to look up which district you live in.
The race is one of the most competitive congressional contests in the country and could help determine which party controls the U.S. House. Ciscomani won reelection in 2024 with 50% of the vote, and the district is now rated politically even by the Cook Political Report.
Republicans currently hold a razor-thin House majority, with 218 seats to Democrats’ 214. A Mendoza victory would give Democrats one seat while denying Republicans one, making Southern Arizona’s District 6 a potentially pivotal race in the national battle for the House.
To participate in this election, register to vote or update your voter registration by Oct. 5. Early voting begins Oct. 7 and Election Day is Nov. 3.
Meet the candidates
Watch the debate
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