Two Arizona congressional races have caught the eyes of the nation and could help decide which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.
With the exit of veteran incumbent Rep. David Schweikert, R-Arizona, the state's 1st Congressional District is now a battleground. Republican former Arizona Cardinals player Jay Feely faces Democratic former state lawmaker Amish Shah in a longtime red district that has seemed poised to turn blue for the past few election cycles.
Two-term Republican incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani is defending southern Arizona's swing 6th Congressional District against Democratic Marine Corps veteran JoAnna Mendoza. The area's ever-changing representation on Capitol Hill over the past 20 years has gone from Republican Jim
Kolbe to Democrats Gabrielle Giffords and Ron Barber to Republican Martha McSally to Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick to Ciscomani.
Historically, presidential midterm elections mean trouble for the party that holds the White House, so in 2026 it's President Donald Trump and the Republicans who face challenging political atmospherics.
Since the Civil War, only three presidents have seen their party make gains in midterm elections: Democrat Franklin Roosevelt in 1934, Democrat Bill Clinton in 1998 and Republican George W. Bush in 2002. Only Clinton, who picked up five House seats, was able to pull off the feat in his second term.
Trump is serving his second, though non-consecutive, term. In Trump's first midterm elections in 2018, Republicans lost 40 House seats.
This year, Trump is struggling in the opinion polls as voters get ready to cast ballots in what is essentially a referendum on his performance.
In Arizona's House races, Trump has endorsed Feely, Ciscomani and Republican former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb as well as incumbent Republican Reps. Eli Crane, Abe Hamadeh and Paul Gosar.
The Arizona Republic has been covering the candidates in each district all year long. Here's a rundown of each district and each race and links to recent stories.
How many seats does Arizona have in the US House of Representatives?
Arizona has nine seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Each of those seats is contested every two years. Every decade, the boundaries of congressional districts are adjusted based on the U.S. Census.
The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission provides information about your district, where to vote and key dates related to voting.
Maricopa County also offers a website for you to find out who represents you in Congress and other elected offices, plus other voting information.
1st Congressional District: Amish Shah (D) vs. Jay Feely (R) and Monica Alponte (L)
Arizona's 1st Congressional District covers parts of north Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek and Fountain Hills in Maricopa County, along with Salt River and Fort McDowell Yavapai National tribal reservations. It’s Arizona’s most affluent congressional district. It also has the most consequential primary battles this election cycle.
Who's running: Libertarian Monica Alponte, Republican Jay Feely and Democrat Amish Shah.
Where they stand on issues: Meet Arizona 1st Congressional District candidates
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined. A debate is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Articles about candidates and the race in the 1st Congressional District:
⏹ Jay Feely praises Trump and free markets in midterm convention speech
⏹ Jay Feely to speak at GOP convention as others avoid 'Trumpapalooza'
⏹ Trump-endorsed House candidate Jay Feely concedes Trump lost in 2020
⏹ Why a Supreme Court decision may unleash more campaign ads on Arizona
⏹ Amish Shah, in private call, says 'bruising' primary damaged campaign
⏹ How national Democrats are recovering from a bruising US House primary
⏹ Arizona Democrats fume at party leaders as swing-district gambit fails
⏹ Scottsdale swing district puts Trump-backed candidate under pressure
⏹ Who is Amish Shah? What to know about AZ Democratic Congress hopeful
⏹ Who is Jay Feely? What to know about Trump-backed AZ Congress hopeful
⏹ Republicans are using custom electric Cybertrucks to get political
2nd Congressional District: Eli Crane (R) vs. Jonathan Nez (D) and Curtis Goodwin (L)
Arizona's 2nd Congressional District is largely rural but includes the communities of Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott and Prescott Valley. It includes Apache, Coconino, Graham, Greenlee and Navajo counties as well as parts of Gila, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai counties.
Who's running: Republican Eli Crane, Libertarian Curtis Goodwin and Democratic former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Democratic US House hopeful Jonathan Nez outlines 'Warrior Up' agenda
Articles about candidates and the race in the 2nd Congressional District:
⏹ National groups ramp up spending in rural AZ congressional district
3rd Congressional District: Yassamin Ansari (D) vs. David Redkey (G) and Alan Aversa (NL)
Arizona's 3rd Congressional District is in Maricopa County, including parts of Phoenix — including the communities of south Phoenix, Laveen and Maryvale — and Glendale.
Who's running: Freshman Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari is seeking a second term. She faces No Labels Party candidate Alan Aversa and Green Party candidate David Redkey. No Republican candidate is on the ballot.
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Many of Arizona's top congressional candidates will skip debates
Articles about candidates and the race in the 3rd Congressional District:
⏹ Arizona congressional candidate David Redkey arrested after online threats
⏹ Why this Arizona Democrat wants Congress to investigate Barron Trump
⏹ How Arizona House members voted on new ICE, Border Patrol funding
⏹ Toilets still overflowing at ICE facility in Mesa, lawmaker says
⏹ AZ Dems demand answers after ICE pepper-sprays detainees in Mesa
⏹ New bill would limit stays at ICE holding centers to 12 hours
⏹ Leaders decry 'horrific' treatment at Mesa ICE facility. What they saw
4th Congressional District: Greg Stanton (D) vs. Zuhdi Jasser (R) and Tisha Benoit (NL)
Arizona's 4th Congressional District is in Maricopa County, including the Phoenix community of Ahwatukee and parts of Tempe, Mesa and Chandler.
Who's running: Incumbent Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, is seeking his fifth term. He is challenged by Republican Zuhdi Jasser and No Labels Party candidate Tisha Benoit.
Where they stand on issues: Meet the Arizona 4th Congressional District candidates
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined. A debate is scheduled for Oct. 5.
Articles about candidates and the race in the 4th Congressional District:
⏹ Arizona 14-year-old and his mother released from ICE custody
⏹ How Arizona House members voted on new ICE, Border Patrol funding
⏹ Democratic lawmaker fights to free Tempe student held in ICE custody
⏹ Toilets still overflowing at ICE facility in Mesa, lawmaker says
⏹ AZ Dems demand answers after ICE pepper-sprays detainees in Mesa
5th Congressional District: Mark Lamb (R) vs. Elizabeth Lee (D)
Arizona's 5th Congressional District covers parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties, including parts of Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.
Who's running: Republican Mark Lamb, a former Pinal County sheriff, and Democrat Elizabeth Lee, a nurse.
Where they stand on issues: Meet the Arizona 5th Congressional District candidates
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Democrat Elizabeth Lee slams Mark Lamb's Tennessee ranch in TV forum
Articles about candidates and the race in the 5th Congressional District:
⏹ Mark Lamb gets campaign ad help from GOP group despite allegations
⏹ Lamb runs for Congress in Arizona from new $3M family ranch in Tennessee
⏹ Mark Lamb traded racist jokes with border vigilante, screenshot shows
⏹ LDS Church examined claims of Mark Lamb's sexual impropriety
⏹ Women say Mark Lamb used threats to suppress sexting, nude pics
⏹ Who is Mark Lamb? Ex-Arizona sheriff campaigns on family, God and guns
6th Congressional District: Juan Ciscomani (R) vs. JoAnna Mendoza (D), Jereme Lance Peters (L) and Gary Swing (G)
Arizona's 6th Congressional District covers most of Pima County, including most of Tucson, and Cochise County.
Who's running: Incumbent Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani is seeking a third term against Democratic military veteran JoAnna Mendoza. Libertarian Jereme Lance Peters and Green Party candidate Gary Swing also are in the race.
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Rivals Juan Ciscomani and JoAnna Mendoza clash in high-stakes debate
Articles about candidates and the race in the 6th Congressional District:
⏹ JoAnna Mendoza purged social media before AZ congressional campaign
⏹ Pete Buttigieg fires up Tucson crowd in big Arizona congressional race
⏹ Arizona CD6 candidate wrongfully took home tax credit | Exclusive
⏹ Top Republicans push economic optimism in Arizona city hit by layoffs
⏹ Why a Supreme Court decision may unleash more campaign ads on Arizona
7th Congressional District: Adelita Grijalva (D) vs. Daniel Butierez Sr. (R)
Arizona's 7th Congressional District includes the southwestern part of Arizona near the state's California state line and its border with Mexico, including parts of Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.
Who's running: Incumbent Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who in 2025 succeeded her late father Rep. Raúl Grijalva in Congress, is seeking reelection. She faces a challenge from Republican Daniel Butierez Sr.
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Adelita Grijalva says feds should help Arizona pay for water cutbacks
Articles about candidates and the race in the 7th Congressional District:
⏹ How Arizona House members voted on new ICE, Border Patrol funding
⏹ AZ Dems demand answers after ICE pepper-sprays detainees in Mesa
⏹ New bill would limit stays at ICE holding centers to 12 hours
⏹ Leaders decry 'horrific' treatment at Mesa ICE facility. What they saw
8th Congressional District: Abe Hamadeh (R) vs. Bernadette Greene-Placentia (D)
Arizona's 8th Congressional District covers parts of Maricopa and Yavapai counties, including Glendale, Peoria, Sun City West and New River.
Who's running: Freshman Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, first elected in 2024, is seeking reelection. Democrat Bernadette Greene-Placentia is challenging him.
Where they stand on issues: Meet the Arizona 8th Congressional District candidates
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Former trucker running for Congress uses earthy language in TV forum
Articles about candidates and the race in the 8th Congressional District:
⏹ Abe Hamadeh defends Andrew and Tristan Tate against sex crime charges
9th Congressional District: Paul Gosar (R) vs. Danielle "Dani" Sterbinsky (D)
Arizona's 9th Congressional District covers most of the state's western region, including parts of La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, and Yuma counties and the cities of Kingman and Lake Havasu City.
Who's running: Incumbent Republican Paul Gosar was first elected to Congress in 2010. He is opposed by Democrat Danielle "Dani" Sterbinsky on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Did they debate? Candidates were offered the chance to participate in a debate, or a candidate forum if their opponent declined.
⏹ Democratic Navy veteran running against Paul Gosar criticizes Iran war
Articles about candidates and the race in the 9th Congressional District:
⏹ 5 things to know about Rep. Paul Gosar’s health and reelection bid
⏹ Rep. Paul Gosar, running for 9th term, dodges questions about health
⏹ 3 Arizona Republicans voted no on bipartisan housing bill
⏹ Gosar's appearance with Trump prompts concerns about health condition
⏹ Paul Gosar wants answers on Surprise ICE facility from DHS chief
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about Arizona's 2026 congressional races
