Juan Ciscomani (/ˌsɪskˈmɑːni/ SIS-koh-MAH-nee; born August 31, 1982)[1] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 6th congressional district since 2023.[2] A Republican, he was a senior adviser to former Governor Doug Ducey and vice chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission.[3][4] Ciscomani was chosen to deliver the Republican response to the 2023 State of the Union Address in Spanish.[5]

Juan Ciscomani
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 6th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byAnn Kirkpatrick
Personal details
Born (1982-08-31) August 31, 1982 (age 42)
Hermosillo, Mexico
Political partyRepublican
SpouseLaura Ciscomani
Children6
EducationPima Community College
University of Arizona (BA)
WebsiteHouse website

Early life and education

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Ciscomani was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and was raised in Tucson, Arizona.[6][7][8] He attended Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college.[4] After graduating, he worked at the University of Arizona as a program development specialist.[4]

Early political career

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In 2003, Ciscomani interned for U.S. Representative Ed Pastor, a Democrat from Arizona. He then completed a fellowship with Loretta Sanchez, another Democratic member of the U.S. House. Ciscomani has said that working for Democrats "challenged my own thinking and then really solidified where I stood politically."[9]

Ciscomani ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona Legislature in 2008.[10] He is a member of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has served as its vice president of outreach. He has also served on the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board and the Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments.[4][10]

Gubernatorial advisor

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In 2015, Ciscomani joined Governor Ducey's office as a senior advisor and vice chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, a post that he would hold until 2021.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2022

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In the 2022 elections, Ciscomani ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican to represent Arizona's 6th congressional district. He narrowly defeated the Democratic nominee, state Senator Kirsten Engel, in the general election.[12]

2024

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Ciscomani ran for a second term in Congress. He faced Democratic nominee Kirsten Engel in a rematch that pundits expected to be one of the most competitive races in the country.[13] Ciscomani defeated Engel in the November 2024 general election.[14]

Tenure

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During the 2023 Speaker of the House election, Ciscomani nominated Kevin McCarthy for Speaker.[15] In February 2023, he delivered the Republican response to President Joe Biden's 2023 State of the Union Address in Spanish.[5]

Ciscomani was floated as a potential candidate for United States Senate in 2024, with Politico reporting that "establishment Republicans" were encouraging him to enter the race.[16] He ultimately declined to enter the race.[17]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[18]

Caucus memberships

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Ciscomani's caucus memberships include:[19]

Political positions

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Ciscomani praised the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.[22] He has said that he opposes a nationwide ban on abortion but supports Arizona's preexisting ban on abortions after 15 weeks.[22] He criticized a 2024 ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court that implemented a near-total abortion ban in the state by enforcing an 1864 law.[23]

Ciscomani has said that he supports passing border security legislation in the immediate term. According to The Wall Street Journal, he said "he would be open to immigration reform and legal protections for young immigrants who came to the U.S. as children."[24]

Ciscomani voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[25][26]

Ciscomani has declined to say whether he supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.[27][28]

Personal life

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Ciscomani resides in Tucson. He and his wife, Laura, have six children.[4][10]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Juan Ciscomani
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing Ref.
Total % P. Total % P.
2008 State representative[a] Republican 2,142 35.90% 2nd 11,960 15.36% 4th Lost Hold [29]
2022 U.S. representative Republican 49,559 47.12% 1st 177,201 50.73% 1st Won Gain [30]

Notes

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  1. ^ In Arizona, each of the state's thirty legislative districts elects two state house representatives from among the top two candidates with the highest vote share.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona, 6th)". July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Arizona New Members 2023". November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "Arizona's 6th Congressional District: Republican Juan Ciscomani wins House race | Fox News". www.foxnews.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Juan Ciscomani is running for southern Arizona congressional seat". Azcentral.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Crane, Steve (February 8, 2023). "Arizona freshman Ciscomani tapped for Spanish rebuttal to Biden". Cronkite News - Arizona PBS. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "How a Storied Phrase Became a Partisan Battleground". The New York Times. August 21, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Bash, Dana; Sharpe, Abbie (October 30, 2022). "Juan Ciscomani makes his play in Arizona as Republicans look to expand their Hispanic ranks | CNN Politics". CNN.
  8. ^ Steinbach, Alison. "Who is Juan Ciscomani? What to know about the Republican who will replace Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Wang, Jackie (July 27, 2023). "From green card to green pin: Rep. Juan Ciscomani sees 'full-circle moments'". Roll Call. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Ellsworth, Matt (May 9, 2017). "Juan Ciscomani carries governor's message throughout southern Arizona, Mexico - Flinn Foundation". Flinn.org. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  11. ^ "About | Representative Ciscomani". ciscomani.house.gov. January 3, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "Republican Juan Ciscomani Wins Swing Seat in Arizona, Bolstering Chance of GOP House Majority". WSJ. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  13. ^ Nintzel, Jim. "Az congressional candidates Ciscomani, Engel clash on abortion rights". Tucson Sentinel.
  14. ^ Thomas, Steff Danielle (November 12, 2024). "Arizona Republican Juan Ciscomani wins reelection". The Hill. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "Newcomer Rep. Ciscomani Backs McCarthy for Speaker". WSJ. January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  16. ^ Otterbein, Holly; Everett, Burgess; Mutnick, Ally (February 1, 2023). "Arizona Republicans fear they may blow it again". POLITICO. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "Which Republicans will run for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's seat? What we know". The Arizona Republic. March 26, 2023.
  18. ^ "Juan Ciscomani". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  19. ^ "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Ciscomani. January 3, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Arizona abortion ruling, which Democrats decry, splits Republicans and abortion opponents". ABC News. 2024.
  23. ^ Vazquez, Maegan; Alfaro, Mariana (April 10, 2024). "'Catastrophic,' 'a shock': Arizona's abortion ruling threatens to upend 2024 races". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  24. ^ Collins, Eliza (November 5, 2022). "Race in Arizona Battleground District Centers on Economy, Abortion, Immigration". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  25. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ "Southern Az supporters of Affordable Care Act decry latest GOP call for repeal". TucsonSentinel.com. 2024.
  28. ^ "Affordable Care Act celebrates 14th anniversary". ICT News. March 29, 2024.
  29. ^ Primary election: General election:
  30. ^ Primary election: General election:
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona's 6th congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
361st
Succeeded by