(The Center Square) – Immigration and housing policy are set to be critical issues for voters in Arizona’s 6th and 9th Congressional Districts, where the outcomes may significantly influence control of Congress this November.
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District
Incumbent Representative Juan Siscomani (R-Ariz.) is aiming for a third term in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, where he is running unopposed in the Republican primary scheduled for Tuesday.
Historically, Republicans have maintained strong control in this district, which spans part of the U.S.-Mexico border. However, increasing discontent with former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies may pose challenges for Siscomani in the general election.
Endorsed by Trump, Siscomani has publicly aligned himself with the former president’s immigration stances. Notably, he immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, becoming a naturalized citizen in 2006. In a recent post on social media, Trump stated, “Juan is fighting hard to keep our borders secure, stop immigration crime, strengthen our military and veterans, support our large law enforcement agencies, and protect the Second Amendment, which is under constant siege.”
Siscomani has also taken legislative action by introducing the FAST Housing Act, a proposal that would mandate the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to allocate grants for workforce housing development in areas with pressing needs.
“For years, the United States has not been able to build enough housing to meet today’s demand,” Siscomani remarked. “This shortage is creating a significant need to add affordable housing in southern Arizona and across the country. Rising costs are making it increasingly difficult for families to enter the market.”
In November, Siscomani will face Joanna Mendoza, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Mendoza has garnered support from key figures including Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, as well as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Mendoza is advocating for the expansion of the child tax credit and enhancements to Social Security benefits for fixed-income individuals. According to her campaign website, she opposes any cuts to Social Security and aims to find ways to bolster benefits for seniors.
Mendoza leads in fundraising efforts, amassing approximately $6.5 million for her campaign compared to Siscomani’s $4 million. However, Siscomani maintains a slight advantage with nearly $1 million more in cash on hand, thanks largely to past donations.
Contributions to Siscomani’s campaign include $1,000 from the Texas Instruments Political Action Committee, $5,000 from the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC, and $3,500 from PricewaterhouseCoopers PAC. Meanwhile, Mendoza’s fundraising includes $2,000 from Mackenzie River PAC and $5,000 from Silicon Valley PAC.
Although Mendoza and Siscomani are both preparing for the November 3 general election, neither candidate responded to requests for interview from The Center Square.
Arizona’s 9th Congressional District
In Arizona’s 9th Congressional District, incumbent Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) is vying for a ninth term, facing off against Democrat Daniel Starbinsky. Both are competing as independents in their party’s primary on Tuesday, with a general election showdown looming in November.
Endorsed by Trump, Gosar is emphasizing his alignment with the former administration’s priorities, portraying himself as a proponent of economic growth, tax reduction, and American energy independence.
Gosar has introduced the Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting federal funding for state databases that track legally owned firearms. In his view, this act safeguards the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
While Gosar did not respond to interview requests from The Center Square, Starbinsky, a Navy veteran, is focused on supporting homeowners. His campaign highlights the need for tax credits for first-time homebuyers and measures to lower rental prices across the nation.
Starbinsky has expressed support for the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which seeks to limit institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. He also aims to improve public education by reducing class sizes and enhancing resources for schools.
“Arizona’s children deserve fully funded schools, small class sizes, and modern classrooms ready for the future,” Starbinsky stated in an email response to questions posed by The Center Square.
He advocates for term limits for Congress members and supports banning stock trading among lawmakers, emphasizing a commitment to reducing the influence of money in politics to benefit ordinary citizens.
Currently, Gosar leads in fundraising with over $575,000 in donations, according to the Federal Election Commission, while Starbinsky has raised more than $354,000. Starbinsky’s support primarily comes from small individual donations, while Gosar’s financing includes significant contributions such as $10,000 from the Anti-Wake Fund and $1,000 from the National Rifle Association.
Voting for the Arizona primary election will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MST on July 21. For early election results, visit thecentersquare.com/arizona.
For more detailed information, please consult the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office website at azsos.gov/elections.
