FLAGSTAFF — Super PACs and other independent groups have poured $7.6 million into the contest between Republican Rep. Eli Crane and Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez in Arizona’s sprawling 2nd Congressional District since July’s primary, KTAR News found in a review of Federal Election Commission filings.
Pro-Crane spending tops pro-Nez spending by better than two to one — roughly $5.3 million versus $2.4 million — with nearly $5 million arriving since Oct. 12. The largest single spender, No Going Back PAC, has put $3.4 million toward helping Crane and opposing Nez, while the Democratic super PAC House Majority PAC has spent nearly $1 million against Crane.
That is an unusual sum for a district President Trump carried by about 15 points in 2024 and Crane won by about 9. Nez, the former Navajo Nation president, called the contest “David versus Goliath” in an NBC interview. Crane’s campaign also held $1.35 million in cash as of Oct. 14, compared with $506,000 for Nez.
Across all nine of Arizona’s congressional districts, independent spending since the primary totals close to $56 million. The 1st District race between Republican Jay Feely and Democrat Amish Shah leads at more than $25 million, followed by the 6th District contest between Rep. Juan Ciscomani and Democrat JoAnna Mendoza at about $22.5 million.
Sources: KTAR News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Lennart Sikkema / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
