Jul 30, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Eli Crane wins Arizona GOP primary after McCarthy rift

Juliegrace Brufke

UNITED STATES - APRIL 12: Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., arrives to the U.S. Capitol before the House reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) — Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, April 12, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Conservative Rep. Eli Crane in Arizona's Republican primary defeated a Kevin McCarthy-backed primary opponent, AP projects, dealing another blow to the former speaker's revenge tour.

Why it matters: Crane — who AP said defeated former Yavapai County Board of Supervisors member Jack Smith — was one of the eight GOP lawmakers who voted to oust McCarthy last October.

Crane's bid to retain his seat in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District drew support from powerful Republicans, including former President Trump, Sens. Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.), and Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.),
Gaetz helped lead the charge against McCarthy.

The intrigue: Smith denied that McCarthy directly recruited him during an interview hosted by Arizona's Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

Still, the American Prosperity Alliance — a McCarthy-linked nonprofit — ran an ad bashing Crane's record on border policy as part of its effort to defeat him.

What's next: Crane, — a former Navy SEAL and member of the House Freedom Caucus — is set to face Jonathan Nez, a former president of the Navajo Nation, in November.

Crane handily defeated Democratic Rep. Tom O'Halleran in 2022 in a district that encompasses much of the northeastern part of the state.

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Rep. Eli Crane wins Arizona GOP primary after McCarthy rift

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