Crane faced criticism for declining to debate his Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez, leading to repeated accusations of avoiding public scrutiny and engagement on key issues (Navajo Times; Arizona Republic; Arizona Daily Star; KNAU).
He was portrayed by opponents, especially Jonathan Nez, as an extremist and more focused on national MAGA/Trumpism over local district needs, which could alienate moderate voters (Casa Grande Dispatch; Navajo Times).
The GOP primary featured a well-financed challenge from Jack Smith, reportedly backed by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's allies, highlighting intraparty tensions and lingering fallout from Crane's vote to oust McCarthy (Arizona Republic; Cronkite News).
Despite a solid Republican advantage in the district, Crane performed roughly 2.5 percentage points worse than Trump, suggesting some erosion of support within the GOP base or with crossover/independent voters (Arizona Daily Star; Arizona Republic).
His campaign and fundraising drew attacks over the use of outside money and fundraising consultants' backgrounds, which opponents attempted to leverage as character issues or signs of political vulnerability (Arizona Mirror; Casa Grande Dispatch).
2024: Eli Crane Set For Reelection In AZ-2 U.S. House Race According to Common Ground Scorecard, "Up for Reelection in 2024." [Common Ground Scorecard, 9/26/22]
2024: Eli Crane Defended His Incumbent Seat In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Election According to KNAU, "Incumbent Rep. Eli Crane is defending his seat in Arizona's Second Congressional District against a challenge from former Navajo Tribal President Jonathan Nez." [KNAU, 10/29/24]
July 2023: Political Analyst Rodd McLeod Said Crane's District Makes Reelection Likely According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Rodd McLeod, an Arizona political campaign strategist, said the moment is unlikely to affect Crane's chances in 2024, in his Republican-leaning, rural 2nd District, which covers much of northeastern Arizona. 'It's a very tough district for a Democrat to win, the way the district was drawn,' he said. 'It went from being a, you know, a swing district to a lean-Republican district,' McLeod said." [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 7/18/23]
October 2023: Jonathan Nez Announced Challenge To Rep. Eli Crane For Arizona's Second District House Seat According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez is running for Congress, announcing his intention Monday morning to challenge Congressman Eli Crane to represent Arizona's second district." [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/16/23]
2024: Jack Smith Filed Paperwork To Challenge Rep. Eli Crane In GOP Primary According to Arizona Republic, "Jack Smith, a former Yavapai County supervisor, has filed paperwork to challenge Arizona's freshman Rep. Eli Crane for Congress in the state's 2nd Congressional District." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 3/12/24]
Cook Political Report Found Crane's District Leaned Republican By 6 Points In 2024 According to Arizona Republic, "Crane's district leans Republican by 6 points, according to the Cook Political Report, meaning that whoever wins the GOP primary has good odds of winning in the November election." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 3/12/24]
April 2024: Crane Faced Primary Challenge From Jack Smith According to Arizona Republic, "Crane is facing a primary challenge from former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 4/21/24]
2024: Eli Crane Accused Jack Smith Of Being Recruited By McCarthy According to Arizona Republic, '"Kevin McCarthy recently recruited an ambitious guy named Jack Smith to primary me," Crane wrote in a recent fundraising email. "Nobody in the district asked him to run - just a corrupt swamp creature who's bitter that he lost his grip on power."' [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 5/30/24]
2024: Jonathan Nez Named Eli Crane As His Opponent According to Navajo Times, "Former President Jonathan Nez plans to advocate more than his opponent, U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, for the state's 2nd Congressional District in northeastern Arizona." [Navajo Times, 6/13/24]
2024: Eli Crane Faced A Primary Challenge In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Arizona Republic, "Freshman Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., sent waves through D.C. when he voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the House's top leadership post. Now, former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith is challenging Crane in the July 30 primary, in an effort that McCarthy's allies have begun supporting financially." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 6/30/24]
July 2024: Eli Crane Defeated Jack Smith In AZ-2 Republican Primary According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eli Crane easily defeated challenger Jack Smith in the Republican primary for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, according to unofficial election results. With almost 65,000 votes counted in the contest, Crane led Smith 78% to 21%, a gap of more than 37,000 votes." [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
July 2024: Jonathan Nez Labeled Eli Crane An Extremist According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "In a video statement released on Facebook, Democratic nominee Nez said that 'Second District families are struggling, and extremists like Eli Crane are actively putting Washington elites ahead of everyday Arizonans.'" [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
2024: Eli Crane Won Republican Nomination For Arizona Congressional District 2 According to Phoenix New Times, "Eli Crane (Incumbent) -- 79.8% (68,689) Jack Smith -- 20.2% (17,394)" in the Republican primary for Congressional District 2. [Phoenix New Times, 7/31/24]
2024: Eli Crane Was Poised To Face Jonathan Nez In November General Election According to Phoenix New Times, "Rep. Eli Crane is poised to face Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez in November." [Phoenix New Times, 7/31/24]
2024: Eli Crane Defeated Jack Smith In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Republican Primary According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), "Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eli Crane easily defeated challenger Jack Smith in the Republican primary for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, according to unofficial election results. With almost 65,000 votes counted in the contest, Crane led Smith 78% to 21%, a gap of more than 37,000 votes." [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Eli Crane Planned To Face Democrat Jonathan Nez In The November General Election According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), "The winner of the primary election will face Democratic candidate Jonathan Nez, who was running unopposed, in November." [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Democratic Nominee Jonathan Nez Criticized Eli Crane As An Extremist According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 'In a video statement released on Facebook, Democratic nominee Nez said that "Second District families are struggling, and extremists like Eli Crane are actively putting Washington elites ahead of everyday Arizonans." "We cannot afford to have an extremist representative willing to ban women's health care, support big corporations and tear down our democracy representing us any longer," he added.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Eli Crane Served As Incumbent Representative For Arizona's Second Congressional District According to Navajo Times, "the stage is now set for an electoral battle as Nez prepares to challenge first-term incumbent Representative Eli Crane for the congressional seat." [Navajo Times, 8/1/24]
2024: Eli Crane Defeated Jack Smith In Republican Primary For Arizona's Second Congressional District According to Navajo Times, 'Crane, who defeated Jack Smith in a decisive victory, received 69,914 votes, and Smith with 17,730 votes, with 99% of the votes being counted.' [Navajo Times, 8/1/24]
2024: Jonathan Nez Suggested Eli Crane Might Not Attend Scheduled August 8 Debate According to Navajo Times, 'Nez said he's agreed to have a debate on Aug. 8 in Phoenix, but he feels certain his opponent will be a no-show. "He's so green, he doesn't want to go," said Nez on Crane debating him.' [Navajo Times, 8/1/24]
7/30/24: Eli Crane Won Republican Renomination In A Landslide According to Arizona Republic, "But on July 30, Crane won re-nomination in a landslide." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/20/24]
2024: Crane Is Facing Democrat Jonathan Nez In November General Election According to Arizona Republic, "Crane is facing Democrat Jonathan Nez, a former Navajo Nation president, in the Nov. 5 general election." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/20/24]
Eli Crane Declined To Debate Jonathan Nez In September 2024 According to Arizona Republic, "Crane was invited to debate Nez but declined to participate." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 9/7/24]
Crane Declined To Debate Nez In 2024 According to Arizona Daily Star, "Crane was invited to debate Nez but declined to participate." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 9/10/24]
2024: Casa Grande Dispatch Editorial Board Characterized Eli Crane as a Staunch Conservative Who Sometimes Split With His Party According to an editorial published in Casa Grande Dispatch, "Crane is a staunch conservative who sometimes splits with his party majority because of his principles, but he is a former Navy SEAL, patriot and man of conviction." [Editorial - Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 9/25/24]
2024: Casa Grande Dispatch Editorial Board Endorsed Eli Crane for Reelection According to an editorial published in Casa Grande Dispatch, "Republican Rep. Eli Crane is opposed by Democrat Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation. Crane is a staunch conservative who sometimes splits with his party majority because of his principles, but he is a former Navy SEAL, patriot and man of conviction. He deserves reelection." [Editorial - Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 9/26/24]
2024: Eli Crane Was Challenged By Jonathan Nez For Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Seat According to Navajo Times, "Nez, who is challenging incumbent and first-term Republican Eli Crane, highlights that while immigration remains a pressing national concern, residents in his district are more urgently seeking solutions for local infrastructure, particularly regarding water, electricity, and broadband access." [Navajo Times, 10/10/24]
2024: Jonathan Nez Claimed Eli Crane Declined To Debate Him Twice According to Navajo Times, "Nez said Crane declined to debate him on issues impacting Congressional District 2. 'He failed to debate me two times. He didn't show up for the first one. He declined on the second one,' said Nez." [Navajo Times, 10/10/24]
August 2024: Eli Crane Defeated Jack Smith In Republican Primary For CD2 According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Crane, meanwhile, easily defeated challenger Jack Smith with 80.5% of the vote in the Republican primary." [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/29/24]
November 2024: Arizona Daily Sun Reported Eli Crane Led In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Race According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Republican incumbent Eli Crane led Democrat challenger Jonathan Nez in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District as of Wednesday night. [...] Seeking a second two-year term in office, incumbent Republican Eli Crane leads Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez with 53.0% of the vote. With 303,398 votes counted, Crane leads Nez by 18,302 votes as of 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday. Multiple national media outlets called the race in favor of Crane by Wednesday night." [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/5/24]
July 2024: Crane Defeated Jack Smith In Republican Primary For CD2 According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Crane, who defeated challenger Jack Smith with 80.5% of the vote in July's Republican primary [...]" [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/5/24]
November 2024: Eli Crane Defeated Jonathan Nez For Reelection In Arizona's 2nd District According to Maricopa Monitor, "Incumbent Republican Congressman Eli Crane enjoyed an almost 53% vote with a lead of 18,000 over his Democratic challenger, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, in Arizona's 2nd District." [Maricopa Monitor (Arizona), 11/5/24]
November 2024: Eli Crane Led Early In CD2 Election Returns According to Maricopa Monitor, "Incumbent Republican Congressman Eli Crane enjoyed an almost 56% lead in unofficial early returns in Pinal County against his Democratic challenger, former Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez, in Arizona's second district." [Maricopa Monitor (Arizona), 11/5/24]
November 2024: Eli Crane Held Substantial Lead In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Race According to Coolidge Examiner, "Incumbent Republican Congressman Eli Crane enjoyed an almost 54% vote with a lead of 20,000 votes against his Democratic challenger, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, in Arizona's 2nd District." [Coolidge Examiner, 11/5/24]
2024: Arizona Daily Star Reported Eli Crane Won Reelection Against Jonathan Nez According to Arizona Daily Star, "U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., easily fended off a challenge from former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, but he performed about 2.5 percentage points worse than Trump in his northeastern Arizona district, the data shows." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 11/29/24]
2024: U.S. Rep. Eli Crane Defeated Jonathan Nez in Northeastern Arizona District According to Arizona Republic, "U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., easily fended off a challenge from former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. Still Trump outperformed Crane by about 2.5 percentage points in his northeastern Arizona district, the data shows." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 12/3/24]
August 2024: Navajo Times Reported That Jonathan Nez Challenged Eli Crane For Congressional Seat According to Navajo Times, "Former President Jonathan Nez also continued to charge for Republican Eli Crane's seat." [Navajo Times (Window Rock, Arizona), 12/26/24]
2024: Eli Crane Did Not Participate In Scheduled Debates And Declined Interview Requests According to KNAU, "Crane's team didn't respond to multiple requests for a taped interview. The incumbent was also a no-show at scheduled debates during the GOP primary and before the general election." [KNAU, 10/29/24]
2024: Crane Framed Jack Smith As McCarthy's 'Puppet' According to Cronkite News, "McCarthy recruited Smith, Crane told supporters in a fundraising email. 'Nobody in the district asked him to run -- just a corrupt swamp creature who's bitter that he lost his grip on power.'" [Cronkite News, 6/19/24]
2024: Crane Faced A Primary Challenge Backed By McCarthy's Network According to Cronkite News, "Now McCarthy is out for revenge. Using his vast war chest and web of affiliated PACs, the deposed Californian is trying to knock Crane out in the Republican primary on July 30, backing a challenger Crane's camp has denounced as a 'puppet.'" [Cronkite News, 6/19/24]
2024: Eli Crane Faced Primary Challenge Supported By McCarthy Allies According to Arizona Republic, "On one side is incumbent Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., the dark-haired, tattooed freshman member of Congress who sent waves through D.C. when he voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the House's top leadership post. On the other side is Jack Smith, a former Yavapai County supervisor and appointee of former President Donald Trump, who is challenging Crane in the July 30 primary in an effort that McCarthy's allies are supporting financially." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 5/30/24]
2024: Crane Criticized Moderate Republicans As 'Uniparty' Members According to Arizona Republic, "Smith says he would take a more 'traditional' approach to the job and argues Crane and his ilk in the hard-line House Freedom Caucus are undermining their own party. Crane, part of the increasingly aggressive flank that dismisses moderate Republicans as members of a 'Uniparty,' has cast Smith as an opportunist bankrolled by D.C. money." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 5/30/24]
2024: McCarthy Targeted Crane In GOP Primary Revenge Effort According to Maricopa Monitor, "Now McCarthy is out for revenge. Using his vast war chest and web of affiliated PACs, the deposed Californian is trying to knock Crane out in the Republican primary on July 30, backing a challenger Crane's camp has denounced as a 'puppet.'" [Maricopa Monitor (AZ), 6/24/24]
2024: Crane Described Himself As Target Of McCarthy-Backed Challenger According to Maricopa Monitor, "McCarthy recruited Smith, Crane told supporters in a fundraising email. 'Nobody in the district asked him to run -- just a corrupt swamp creature who's bitter that he lost his grip on power.'" [Maricopa Monitor (AZ), 6/24/24]
2024: Cook Political Report Classified Arizona's 2nd District 'Solid' For Republicans, Including Eli Crane According to Arizona Republic, "The nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which handicaps congressional races, classifies the district as 'solid' for Republicans." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 9/7/24]
2021: Casa Grande Dispatch Reported District Redrawing Gave GOP Seven-Point Edge According to Casa Grande Dispatch, 'The current district, redrawn in 2021 during the once-a-decade redistricting process, includes heavily GOP Yavapai County, and Republicans have a strong registration advantage. The redrawn district gave the GOP a seven-point edge, a stark difference from the nearly evenly split district it replaced.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/12/24]
2024: Trump Endorsed Crane For Reelection In April According to Cronkite News, "Trump endorsed him in April, crediting him with 'doing an incredible job fighting for the people of Rural Arizona.'" [Cronkite News, 6/19/24]
2024: Veterans For America First Endorsed Eli Crane According to Vote Smart, "Endorsed: Eli Crane was endorsed by Veterans For America First". [Vote Smart, 6/12/24]
April 2024: Donald Trump Endorsed Eli Crane For Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to WMICentral, "Former President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent Eli Crane in the race for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District on Monday. [...] 'Congressman Eli Crane is an America First Warrior for Arizona's 2nd Congressional District. Eli bravely served our Country as a U.S. Navy SEAL, and is doing an incredible job fighting for the people of Rural Arizona (sic),' Trump stated on Truth Social. 'He is working hard to Secure the Border, Stop Illegal Immigration, Cut Taxes, Grow the Economy, Strengthen our Military, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Eli Crane has been with us from the very beginning, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!(sic)'" [WMICentral, 4/30/24]
April 2024: Trump Endorsed Crane For Re-Election According to Cronkite News, "Trump endorsed him in April, crediting him with 'doing an incredible job fighting for the people of Rural Arizona.'" [Cronkite News, 6/19/24]
2024: Eli Crane Received Endorsement From Former President Donald Trump According to an opinion piece by Eli Crane in Casa Grande Dispatch, "That's why former President Donald Trump endorsed me just a couple weeks ago. I'm going to continue with that approach as I seek a second term." [Eli Crane - Casa Grande Dispatch, 5/24/24]
2024: Trump Endorsed Crane For Reelection In April According to Maricopa Monitor, "Trump endorsed him in April, crediting him with 'doing an incredible job fighting for the people of Rural Arizona.'" [Maricopa Monitor (AZ), 6/24/24]
July 2024: Eli Crane Urged Support For 'America First Warriors' And Trump According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Crane said that, within less than 100 days of the November election, he wants voters to remain focused on sending 'America First warriors' to Washington, including reelecting former President Donald Trump." [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
July 2024: Eli Crane Committed To Helping Trump Win Arizona According to Casa Grande Dispatch, 'The road to the presidency cuts directly through Arizona, and I'm committed to helping lead the charge on delivering a decisive victory for President Trump in our state,' Crane added. [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
2024: Eli Crane Advocated For Electing "America First Warriors" Including Donald Trump According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 'Crane said that, within less than 100 days of the November election, he wants voters to remain focused on sending "America First warriors" to Washington, including reelecting former President Donald Trump.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Donald Trump Endorsed Eli Crane According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 'Crane is one of several Republicans across Arizona who have been endorsed by Trump.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Eli Crane Expressed Commitment To Delivering Arizona For Trump According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), '"The road to the presidency cuts directly through Arizona, and I'm committed to helping lead the charge on delivering a decisive victory for President Trump in our state," Crane added.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
2024: Nez Alleged Eli Crane Campaigned Using MAGA And Trumpism According to Navajo Times, 'And, he takes advantage of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) ideology, or to Trumpism for his campaign, but I think the past two elections we've seen the Arizona voters say "no" to MAGA.' [Navajo Times, 8/1/24]
Eli Crane Expressed Concern Over U.S. Direction In 2023 According to Washington Examiner, 'I'm very, very concerned about the current state of this country and the direction that this country is headed,' Eli Crane told Secrets. [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
Eli Crane Emphasized American Dream Experience As Motivation To Run In 2023 According to Washington Examiner, 'I got a chance and an opportunity to live the American dream. And I want to make sure that the following generations are as blessed as I have been,' added the conservative Republican. [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
Eli Crane Cited Lack Of Courage Among Politicians As Motivation For 2023 Run According to Washington Examiner, 'Crane said he is motivated to enter politics because he believes too many politicians do not have "skin in the game" and are just riding out their careers by avoiding big issues, especially those that are also cultural.' [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
Eli Crane Labeled Fight For U.S. As Cultural In 2023 According to Washington Examiner, 'I really feel like a lot of the fight in this country is in culture. And it's with thought leadership, and I wanted to get involved in that,' he said. [Washington Examiner, 2/7/23]
2024: Crane Sought Reelection In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Cronkite News, "Crane, a former Navy SEAL who left college in his senior year to enlist after the Sept. 11 attacks, is seeking his second term in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District." [Cronkite News, 6/19/24]
2024: Eli Crane Ran For Reelection In Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Vote Smart, "On The Ballot: Running, Republican for U.S. House (AZ) - District 2". [Vote Smart, 6/12/24]
2024: Eli Crane Asserted He Acted Consistently With Campaign Promises According to an opinion piece by Eli Crane in Casa Grande Dispatch, "I'm proud of my record, which demonstrates the audacity to do exactly what I told you I would on the campaign trail." [Eli Crane - Casa Grande Dispatch, 5/24/24]
Crane Sought Second Term Representing Arizona's 2nd Congressional District In 2024 According to Maricopa Monitor, "Crane...is seeking his second term in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District. The vast district encompasses the northeastern part of the state and includes Flagstaff, Prescott and parts of the Valley. He lives just outside it in Oro Valley." [Maricopa Monitor (AZ), 6/24/24]
2024: Eli Crane Highlighted Policy Similarities With Jack Smith In Primary According to Arizona Republic, "There isn't much daylight between the candidates when it comes to policy. Both Crane and Smith emphasize familiar conservative priorities around illegal immigration, U.S. elections security, and the size and scope of the federal government." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 6/30/24]
2024: Eli Crane Campaigned On National Security, Job Creation, And Veterans Affairs According to Navajo Times, 'Crane, who is seeking re-election for a second term, has touted his record on issues such as national security, job creation, and veterans affairs as he campaigns for another term in office.' [Navajo Times, 8/1/24]
Eli Crane's Top Issue Was Identified As Immigration In 2024 Coverage According to Arizona Republic, "He took the same approach to immigration, Crane's top issue." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 9/7/24]
Crane Prioritized Immigration Policy In His Congressional Work According to Arizona Daily Star, "He took the same approach to immigration, Crane's top issue." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 9/10/24]
2024: Casa Grande Dispatch Editorial Board Endorsed Eli Crane for Reelection According to an editorial published in Casa Grande Dispatch, "Crane is a staunch conservative who sometimes splits with his party majority because of his principles, but he is a former Navy SEAL, patriot and man of conviction. He deserves reelection." [Editorial - Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 9/25/24]
2023-2024: Eli Crane Prioritized Veterans, Tribal Citizen Autonomy, And Border Security According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Locally, Crane's reelection campaign focused on the three priorities he set forth during his first term in office. Citing three of his own bills that passed through Congress, Crane expressed a desire to look out for 'our nation's heroes, getting the federal government out of the way of our district's tribal citizens so they access their own resources and securing our southern border.'" [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/29/24]
2024: Crane Commented On Winning Second Term And The America First Movement According to Casa Grande Dispatch, '"I'm grateful to every voter in AZ-02 who cast their vote in support of the America First movement, entrusting me to represent you again," Crane said in a statement posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/12/24]
November 2023: Eli Crane Criticized Washington 'Corruption' And 'Reckless Spending' According to Arizona Daily Sun, "'For far too long, the status quo in Washington has shamelessly sold out 'We the People.' The residents of Arizona's Second District have had enough of the corruption, reckless spending, weaponization and excuses,' Crane said in a statement announcing his candidacy." [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/14/23]
August 2024: Eli Crane Thanked His Voters After The Primary Win According to Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), '"Thank you to every voter across Arizona's 2nd Congressional District who entrusted me to carry your voices and concerns to Washington and actually fight," Crane said in a statement released on the social media platform X.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (AZ), 8/1/24]
November 2024: Associated Press Reported Eli Crane Won Reelection To Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Associated Press, "Republican U.S. Rep. Eli Crane has won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Arizona's 2nd Congressional District." [US News, 11/9/24]
2024: Crane Won July 30 Republican Primary In Landslide According to Arizona Daily Star, "won his July 30 primary this year in a landslide." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 9/10/24]
2024: Crane Secured Vote Leads In Yavapai, Gila, And Pinal Counties According to Arizona Daily Sun, "a 26,326-vote advantage for Crane in Yavapai County, a 7,391-vote advantage for Crane in Gila County and a 9,177-vote advantage in Pinal County pushed the incumbent in front." [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/5/24]
November 2024: Eli Crane Was Reelected To Congress In Arizona's 2nd District According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Incumbent Republican Congressman Eli Crane enjoyed an almost 53% vote with a lead of 18,000 over his Democratic challenger, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, in Arizona's 2nd District." [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/7/24]
2024: Crane Led With 54 Percent Of The Vote With 90 Percent Counted According to Casa Grande Dispatch, 'With about 90% of the district's vote tallied, Crane led Nez 54% to 45%.' [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/12/24]
2024: Associated Press Reported That Eli Crane Commended His Opponent And Thanked Voters After Reelection According to Associated Press, "In a statement late Saturday, Crane commended Nez for entering the race and thanked voters." [US News, 11/9/24]
2024: Associated Press Reported Eli Crane's Reelection Statement Emphasized Fighting DC Corruption And Supporting Trump Agenda According to Associated Press, "'I will continue using every tool in my arsenal to fight against the corruption and selfish interests of the DC elites to put rural Arizonans FIRST,' Crane wrote. 'I'm laser-focused on working with President Trump to lower inflation, secure the border and return to peace through strength.'" [US News, 11/9/24]
2024: Casa Grande Dispatch Reported Eli Crane Won Re-Election To U.S. House According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Republican Eli Crane has won a second term in the U.S. House of Representatives after defeating Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez in Arizona's Second Congressional District." [Casa Grande Dispatch (Arizona), 11/12/24]
2024: Eli Crane Did Not Respond To Questions On Whether He Knew Of Pitha's Past Or Its Impact On His Drug Policy Stance According to Arizona Mirror, "Crane did not respond to questions regarding if he knew of Pitha's past arrest or how it impacted his stances on illicit drugs." [Arizona Mirror, 4/25/24]
April 2024: Crane Responded Publicly To Attack Ads According to Arizona Republic, "'My voters are not easily fooled, so they'll see through this deceitful and coordinated attempt to smear me. I'm proud to fight for rural Arizona. My opponent is bought and paid for, and this is an attack funded by one of the shady groups behind his campaign,' Crane said in a written statement." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 4/21/24]
2024: Eli Crane Criticized Outside Money And Independent Expenditures In Congressional Races According to an opinion piece by Eli Crane in Casa Grande Dispatch, "Over the course of the next couple months, you're going to see a significant amount of outside money spent against me in the form of 'independent expenditures,' which are loopholes used by candidates and their supporters to funnel corrupt money into races around the country. They do this to influence those races to install candidates they think they can control. They're buying votes." [Eli Crane - Casa Grande Dispatch, 5/24/24]
2024: Arizona Republic Reported Crane Did Not Face Sustained Outside Opposition Spending According to Arizona Republic, "Crane for his part never saw the opposition spending that some of his Freedom Caucus colleagues faced. A group linked to McCarthy spent big on television ads attacking Crane in April, then went silent. Many, including the congressman's team, interpreted it as a sign that the attacks weren't landing." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/20/24]
2024: Crane Criticized Jack Smith's Campaign As Too Dependent On Outside Support According to Arizona Republic, "He said he feels 'bad' for Smith: He believes Smith ran on the belief he would receive outside support from McCarthy's allies. 'I think the mistake that he made was he basically made a deal with the devil. And then the devil, after about two weeks of running attack ads against me, completely pulled the rug on him,' Crane said." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/20/24]
2024: Jonathan Nez Criticized Eli Crane For Focusing On Conspiracy Theories And Avoiding Debates According to Navajo Times, "Nez also criticized his opponent for avoiding debates and focusing on conspiracy theories, which he believes has led to missed opportunities like the reauthorization of the Arizona water rights and the Affordable Connectivity Plan." [Navajo Times, 10/10/24]
April 2024: Eli Crane Raised $3.9 Million For His Campaign And Had $1.3 Million Cash On Hand According to Arizona Mirror, "Crane has approximately $1.3 million cash on hand and has raised $3.9 million in total." [Arizona Mirror, 4/25/24]
2024: Eli Crane Raised $5 Million For His Primary Campaign According to Arizona Republic, "Crane raised $5 million, and was boosted by six-figure expenditures by the free market group Club for Growth Action and the House Freedom Caucus' political arm. His primary challenger, former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith, raised a modest $92,000." [Arizona Republic (Phoenix), 8/20/24]
July 2024: Donald Trump Endorsed Eli Crane According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "Crane is one of several Republicans across Arizona who have been endorsed by Trump." [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
November 2023: Eli Crane Announced Reelection Bid For Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Rep. Eli Crane announced his bid for reelection to represent Arizona's 2nd Congressional District." [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/14/23]
November 2023: Eli Crane Announced Reelection Bid For Arizona's 2nd Congressional District According to Arizona Daily Sun, "Rep. Eli Crane has announced his bid for reelection to represent Arizona's 2nd Congressional District." [Arizona Daily Sun, 11/14/23]
2024: Crane Sought Second Term Representing Arizona's 2nd District According to Arizona Daily Star, "incumbent Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., who is seeking a second term in office." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 9/10/24]
July 2024: Eli Crane Released Statement Thanking Voters After Primary Win According to Casa Grande Dispatch, "'Thank you to every voter across Arizona's 2nd Congressional District who entrusted me to carry your voices and concerns to Washington and actually fight,' Crane said in a statement released on the social media platform X." [Casa Grande Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (Arizona), 7/31/24]
Francine Bradley Arthur Endorsed Eli Crane For Leadership Benefiting Navajo People In 2024 According to an opinion piece by Francine Bradley Arthur in Navajo Times, "As a Navajo woman and organizer, I am not alone in supporting Trump, Eli Crane, and Kari Lake because they represent the leadership that will truly benefit our people. They understand the importance of economic independence, public safety, and respect for our values." [Francine Bradley Arthur - Navajo Times, 10/17/24]