The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this morning named former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez to the first round of its 2026 “Red to Blue” program, placing the congressional race that includes Maricopa on the party’s early list of 12 targeted U.S. House contests.
Nez is seeking a rematch against Republican Rep. Eli Crane in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. The DCCC’s Red to Blue program provides selected candidates with strategic guidance, staff resources, training and fundraising support as Democrats work to regain the House majority in the 2026 midterms.
In the press release, the House Democrats’ campaign arm prophesized that Nez “will flip AZ-02 blue and help take back the House majority.” The House GOP currently holds a 218 to 214 edge, leaving little margin for defections.
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene called Nez “a bipartisan leader with a track record of putting politics aside to deliver for Northern Arizona.” DelBene didn’t acknowledge any other part of the sprawling district, which includes parts of Pinal Couty.
The release also criticized Crane, who lives in Southern Arizona, stating that “unlike Eli Crane, Jonathan has spent his career delivering results for rural Arizona,” including health care facilities, homes for veterans and public safety investments.
But Crane’s record unequivocally includes helping bring a new health care facility to the Ak-Chin Indian Community late last year, authoring legislation to house veterans in rural Gila County and voting for public safety packages totaling more than $50 billion.
Nez lost to Crane in 2024 but has launched another campaign for the seat. Arizona’s sprawling 2nd Congressional District stretches across northern and eastern Arizona and scrapes Pinal County, making Maricopa voters part of the electorate.
During a December campaign stop in Maricopa, Nez met with Ak-Chin leaders and told InMaricopa he would work to secure federal transportation funding for State Route 347, describing daily congestion along the corridor as a public safety.
Republicans are also maneuvering to defend their House majority ahead of the midterms. In Arizona, Crane recently endorsed gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs, who recently campaigned in Maricopa and saw his bid gain momentum after Republican rival Karrin Taylor Robson dropped out Feb. 12.
11 Responses
Alex, I’ll take Csndidates that have no chance for $1000.
Yeah, I don’t love his chances, honestly.
Of course, it doesn’t really matter since, on the off-chance Nez did win, Crane would just cry “election denialism” and refuse to vacate his office anyway…
Ok, before the shitshow of political commentary starts, can we take a moment to agree that Elias has been killing it with these little subtitles to his articles?
I rather enjoyed “House Hunting”… his Soulja Boy one was good too…
Dang I missed that, good catch.
Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.
We love the InMaricopa editors.
We love you guys, too!
Democrats haven’t learned a thing. They are way too entangled with “culture” politics. This party is doomed.
Eli Crane looks like a toe wearing a bad toupee.
And yet he will remain in office.
Whether he wins the election or not!
“Mr. Crane, you’ve lost the election.”
“FRAUD! I DENY THIS ELECTION IS LEGAL!”
“Sir, we’re being told the initial projections were incorrect. It looks like you actually won.”
“The system is perfect. Nothing to see here. We’re good. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”