U.S. House · Arizona's 2nd District

A large district spanning northern and northwestern Arizona, including Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Kingman, and the Navajo Nation.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 17 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • All facts, quotes, and the one position (Goodwin/guns) verified verbatim against cited Ballotpedia pages (Crane, Nez, Goodwin, AZ 2026 U.S. House elections). Primary results (Crane 100%, Nez 100%, Goodwin 97% over write-in Alex Flores), 2024 general result (54.5%-45.5%), and committee assignments for both Congresses confirmed exactly. No changes needed.

On the ballot · 3 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUEEli Crane
R
Jonathan Nez
D
Curtis Goodwin
LIB
Stricter gun laws——Opposes[5]
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsSupports[9][10][11][12][13]votes——
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsOpposes[10][11][12]votes——
Expand public health coverageOpposes[10][11][12][14]votes——
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsOpposes[10][11][12]votes——
Broad tariffs on imported goodsSupports[15]votes——

The candidates, in full

Eli Crane

RINCUMBENTU.S. Representative, AZ-2 (since 2023)

Won the July 21, 2026 Republican primary unopposed

Eli Crane is the Republican incumbent for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, first elected in 2022. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2001 to 2014 and co-founded the company Bottle Breacher. He serves on the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security.[3]

Key votes in Congress

  • NoWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • NoResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • NoBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • NoNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • NoGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • YesSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.

On the record — official actions

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee; Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee) and the House Committee on Homeland Security (Border Security and Enforcement; Transportation and Maritime Security) in the 119th Congress (2025-2026).[3]
  • actionIn the 118th Congress (2023-2024), served on the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and the House Committee on Small Business.[3]
  • bill2025-03-10 · Introduced the Subterranean Border Defense Act with Rep. Lou Correa to strengthen congressional oversight of illicit cross-border tunnels; passed the House 402-1 in March 2025.[6]
  • bill2026-04-22 · Introduced the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, which would pause issuance of H-1B visas for three years and reform the program.[6]

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11).[9][10][11][12][13]

    What they say: Supports removing people unlawfully present in the country and helped advance border-security legislation and funding.[6]

    “As a representative from a border state, Rep. Crane fully supports removing individuals who are unlawfully present in the country, stopping the flow of dangerous narcotics, and strengthening deterrence to prevent future border invasions.”
  • OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits.[10][11][12]

    What they say: Has opposed subsidies for renewable energy and worked to expand oil and gas leasing rather than accelerate a shift away from fossil fuels.[8]

    “He has also worked to block federal EV mandates, stop unpopular wind and solar subsidies, and expand oil and gas leasing at home.”
  • OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[10][11][12][14]

  • OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent.[10][11][12]

  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[15]

In their words — priorities

  • Representative Crane understands the importance of secure borders and has worked throughout his tenure to reverse the consequences of open-border policies.[6]
  • Representative Crane knows Americans thrive when taxes are low and regulations are limited. He believes the government should not pick winners and losers or prop up industries with taxpayer-funded subsidies.[7]
  • Rep. Crane understands American energy dominance improves national security and lowers costs for families... Rep. Crane remains focused on restoring American energy independence and protecting consumers from costly federal overreach.[8]

Background

  • Born in Tucson, Arizona in 1980. Attended Arizona Western University and the University of Arizona.[3]
  • Served in the United States Navy from 2001 to 2014.[3]
  • Co-founded and co-owned Bottle Breacher, a bottle-opener manufacturing company, after leaving the Navy.[3]
  • Elected to the U.S. House in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, defeating Jonathan Nez both times.[1]

Campaign money

Raised $9.5M · spent $7.0M · $2.8M cash on hand (through 2026-07-01) FEC filing ↗

Jonathan Nez

DFormer President of the Navajo Nation

Won the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed

Jonathan Nez is the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, running for the seat for a third time after losing to incumbent Eli Crane in 2022 and 2024. He previously served as president of the Navajo Nation.[4]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Background

  • Born in Tuba City, Arizona, and grew up in Shonto, Arizona.[4]
  • Served as president of the Navajo Nation.[4]
  • Was the Democratic nominee for AZ-2 in 2022 and 2024, losing to Eli Crane both times, most recently 54.5%-45.5% in 2024.[1]

Campaign money

Raised $3.5M · spent $1.7M · $1.9M cash on hand (through 2026-07-01) FEC filing ↗

Curtis Goodwin

LIB

Won the July 21, 2026 Libertarian primary

Curtis Goodwin is the Libertarian nominee for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District. He is from Mesa, Arizona and has been involved in numerous cities across the country.[5]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesStricter gun laws

    Lists Second Amendment rights among the public-policy areas he is personally passionate about, indicating opposition to stricter gun laws.[5]

In their words — priorities

  • Says 'Washington doesn't have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem,' identifying government spending as a central concern.[5]
  • Personally passionate about Second Amendment rights and government accountability and transparency.[5]

Background

  • Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona.[5]

Research notes & limits

Eli Crane and Jonathan Nez have limited public-facing issue statements on Ballotpedia beyond biography and committee/electoral history; their campaign websites were not fetched within this research session's time budget, so specific issue positions are left out rather than inferred from party or voting record. Curtis Goodwin's positions are drawn from his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Per the division-of-labor guidance, Crane's federal floor votes and FEC finance totals are added separately by script.

Sources · 15

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Eli Crane · Ballotpedia Reference
  2. 2.United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
  3. 3.Eli Crane · Ballotpedia Reference
  4. 4.Jonathan Nez · Ballotpedia Reference
  5. 5.Curtis Goodwin · Ballotpedia · 2026 Candidate's own words
  6. 6.Securing Our Border · Office of U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Official record
  7. 7.Economic Prosperity · Office of U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Official record
  8. 8.Energy · Office of U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  11. 11.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record