It was about 9 p.m. Friday when the Associated Press called the race in Arizona’s Second Congressional District for the incumbent Republican Rep. Eli Crane, who defeated a Democrat for the second time in former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. 

This will be Crane’s second term representing Arizona’s largest district, which encompasses Prescott, Flagstaff, Show Low, Globe, Florence and Maricopa. It also includes 14 of the state’s 22 Native American Nations.  

“Rep. Crane is grateful to every voter across the district who entrusted him to continue their interests,” Crane’s spokesman Zach Kahler told InMaricopa today. “His objective has always been doing whatever it takes to lift up the Americans of AZ-02 while dismantling the corruptions of the Establishment’s status quo. With the results of last week’s election, he plans to continue on his trajectory, putting AZ-02 first.”  

Crane commended his opponent for jumping into the race.  

“It’s always a difficult decision anytime someone decides to enter a congressional race,” Kahler said, adding the Congressman “wishes him the best in is next venture.”  

According to Kahler, Crane plans to focus on delivering principled and effective leadership for the congressional district during his second term.  

“That means remaining faithful to his conservative principles while applying bipartisan solutions to district specific issues,” Kahler said.  

He noted that is his freshman term, Rep. Crane sponsored four bipartisan bills — all of which passed the U.S. House — that ranged from prioritizing rural veterans to border security to Tribal entrepreneurship.  

Kahler added that on national issues Rep. Crane will be working with President-elect Donald J. Trump to continue fighting for lower inflation, a secure border and a return to peace through strength.  

Crane also has plans for the city of Maricopa specifically, during his second term.  

“Given the city’s proximity to the southern border, Rep. Crane will continue working towards operational control to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents in the city and the district,” Kahler said. “He’s also been working with the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Army Corps of Engineers on flood mitigation and will continue to do so this coming term.”