Arizona

Who is the Arizona high school athlete GOAT? Vote now in ‘USA 250’ poll

Published

1 month ago

August 8, 2026

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Who is the Arizona high school athlete GOAT? Vote now in ‘USA 250’ poll

Arizona has emerged as a hot bed for collegiate and professional talent stemming from its high school sports scene.

Current professional athletes like Cody Bellinger, Brock Purdy and Jalen Williams have played high school sports in Arizona, adding to a deep history of talent that includes stars like Terrell Suggs, Misty Hyman and Danny White.

Who is the best all-time Arizona high school athlete? Who defines the state’s prep scene?

As the United States continues to ring in its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, aiming to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.

From fans’ votes, five athletes will be selected to represent the state as legends who have defined high school sports.

Here are the Arizona high school athlete nominees. The 16 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level.

Mike Bibby, Boys Basketball, Shadow Mountain High School (Phoenix)

Future NBA player Mike Bibby became the first boys basketball player in Arizona history to record 3,000 points in high school, playing all four years and averaging 34.3 points, six rebounds, eight assists and four steals per game as a senior, per The Draft Review. He was named Mr. Basketball USA and on the USA TODAY All-USA First Team.

Amy Bockerstette, Girls Golf, Sandra Day O’Connor High School (Phoenix)

Amy Bockerstette is a legend in Arizona as the first person with Down syndrome to receive an athletic scholarship for college. She did so after competing in the Arizona High School Girls Golf Division I State Championship as a junior and senior, the fist person with Down syndrome to do so. She cofounded the I GOT THIS Foundation in 2019 to promote golf to people with intellectual disabilities.

Curley Culp, Football, Boys Wrestling, Yuma High School

Yuma legend Curley Culp was a two-sport star, leading a future NFL career on the gridiron and winning back-to-back heavyweight wrestling championships in high school. After graduating in 1964, he went to Arizona State University, where he was an All-American nose guard and won the 1967 NCAA heavyweight championship. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kenzie Fowler, Softball, Canyon del Oro High School (Tucson)

Kenzie Fowler was as close to unbeatable as a pitcher can be. From 2006-09, she had a record of 102-8, leading Canyon del Oro to four title appearances and three championships. She was two-time Gatorade National Softball Playe of the Year, including as a senior, in which she had an ERA of 0.04 — that’s a single run in 139 innings pitched, per Tucson.com. Over her career, she had a 0.15 ERA, threw 30 no-hitters, and she even set a single-season RBI record with 45.

Misty Hyman, Girls Swimming, Shadow Mountain High School (Phoenix)

Perhaps no Arizona high school player has gone on to have the level of international success as Misty Hyman. A two-time high school Swimmer of the Year, Hyman set national records in the 100-meter fly, 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter medley relay, according to her Stanford bio. In 2000, three years after graduating, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic gold in the 200-meter butterfly in 40 years.

Jacquelyn Johnson, Track and Field, Yuma High School (Phoenix)

Few Arizona high school athletes are as decorated as Jacquelyn Johnson, who won 14 states championships in track and field including the 100-meter hurdles, where she set a state record at 13.6, and the high jump, which she set a record of 6’0.

Randall McDaniel, Football, Boys Basketball, Track and Field, Baseball, Agua Fria High School (Avondale)

Randall McDaniel dominated multiple fields, being named all-state in football and basketball two times each. He set the Agua Fria record for the 100-meter dash, and competed in the 200-meter, shot put and discus. He and also played baseball, according to the NFHS.

Jim Palmer, Baseball, Football, Boys Basketball, Scottsdale High School

Before Jim Palmer was a three-time Cy Young winner, he was a three-sport athlete at Scottsdale High School, where he was an all-state forward in basketball, second-team wide receiver in football, and a star pitcher and hitter in baseball, pitching to a 6-1 record with a 0.79 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 58 innings as a senior while hitting .304 with five home runs (hit .482 as a junior).

Koa Peat, Boys Basketball, Perry High School (Gilbert)

The latest Arizona talent to make the NBA, Koa Peat dominated his four years at high school, leading Perry to four straight championships — including playing through a fractured right hand in the semifinals and title game as a senior, scoring 16 and 20 points in the games, respectively. He finished his career with a 107-14 record.

Nicole Powell, Girls Basketball, Track and Field, Badminton, Tennis, Mountain Pointe High School (Phoenix)

Nicole Powell’s 2,478 career points was second-best in Arizona history at her time of graduation, and her 1,820 rebounds leads the state record book to this day. She averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds as a senior, receiving national recognition. This wasn’t her only sport of dominance: she was a three-time badminton singles champion and won the state discus championship in 2000.

Brock Purdy, Football, Perry High School (Gilbert)

Brock Purdy remained a surprisingly under-the-radar recruit despite accruing phenomenal stats as a junior and senior, passing for a combined 7,738 yards and 99 touchdowns and rushing for 1,859 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 4,405 passing yards and 57 passing TDs as a senior set a 6A single-season record, and he led Perry to its first championship appearance, earning the Arizona Republic’s 2017 Player of the Year award over fellow future NFL players Spencer Rattler and Bijan Robinson.

Bijan Robinson, Football, Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson)

Bijan Robinson was a wrecking crew in high school, rushing for more than 2,000 yards in three straight seasons and finishing his career with 103 rushing touchdowns. His 7,036 career rushing yards was a record for Arizona “Big Schools” — classifications 4A-6A — and he broke the team’s single-game rushing record multiple times, peaking at 430 yards and six touchdowns on 13 carries.

Anthony Robles, Boys Wrestling, Mesa High School

Anthony Robles was born with one leg, but that didn’t prevent him from becoming one of the greatest wrestlers in Arizona history. Over his junior and senior seasons, he won two state championships and went 48-0 in each year, finishing his career with a record of 129-15, according to his ASU bio. He won the 2006 High School Senior Nationals before becoming an NCAA champion.

Kendra Strohm, Girls Tennis, Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucson)

Kendra Strohm was nearly perfect in high school, losing only one set in her prep career. She became the first girls tennis player in Arizona high school history to win four consecutive singles state titles, according to Tucson.com.

Terrell Suggs, Football, Hamilton (Chandler) and Chandler high schools

Terrell Suggs played all over the field in high school, playing blocking back and linebacker at Chandler before transferring to Hamilton High School to finish his career. There, he gained national attention, being named a Parade Magazine All-American and Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year in 2000 as he rushed for 2,274 yards and 26 touchdowns, per ASU.

Danny White, Football, Boys Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field, Westwood High School (Mesa)

You can’t tell the story of Arizona high school football without Danny White, who quarterbacked the Dallas Cowboys for 13 years in the NFL. In high school, he was a four-sport athlete, competing in football, boys basketball, baseball and track and field.

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Arizona

Joe Lunardi has Arizona as a No. 1 seed in first 2027 March Madness bracket

Published

4 hours ago

September 15, 2026

Press Room

Joe Lunardi has Arizona as a No. 1 seed in first 2027 March Madness bracket

Predicting which teams will make the NCAA Tournament six weeks before the season even begins is a difficult task. This year, with hundreds of players still in eligibility limbo, it feels like an impossible task.

But that’s exactly what Joe Lunardi of ESPN has done, and with it comes more sky-high expectations for Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats entering the 2026-27 season.

Lunardi has Arizona as the No. 1 seed in the West Region, where they would play in Sacramento against the winner of a play-in No. 16 matchup between Bethune-Cookman and Long Island.

The other two teams in the projected pod are No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Oklahoma out of the Big Ten and SEC, respectively.

Arizona enters 2026-27 with massive expectations

Mar 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lloyd enters his sixth season in Tucson after finally breaking through in the NCAA Tournament last year, taking the Wildcats to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. But Lloyd had tremendous regular-season success prior to last year’s deep run, with Arizona earning two No. 1 seeds, two No. 2 seeds, and a No. 4 seed in the five years he has been on the sideline.

Lunardi clearly believes this Arizona squad will be back atop the mountain in 2027, and it’s not hard to see why. The Wildcats return two high-level starters in center Mo Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov, who will both be in the preseason All-Big 12 conversation after averaging in double figures last year.

The Wildcats once again bring in a loaded freshman class as well, with 5-star guard Caleb Holt a legit candidate to go No. 1 overall in the 2027 NBA draft, while 4-star wing Cameron Holmes has an NBA pedigree thanks to his older brother DaRon, and is a good athlete and projectable two-way talent.

Arizona still has questions to answer

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The core is excellent for Arizona, but there are questions about the team’s overall guard depth and at power forward. RJ Godfrey was a beast last year at Clemson and is a near-perfect fit to replace Koa Peat at the four…but he’s currently ineligible after the NCAA granted a stay request in the Georgia lawsuit, which initially gave him eligibility.

While his status certainly could change, for now, the 6’7 bruiser is not eligible to suit up for Lloyd’s club – putting more pressure on Kharchenkov, Holmes, and backup Maxsim Brnovic to contribute right away.

Additionally, the Wildcats are relying heavily on a pair of sophomore transfers to run the point in North Carolina’s Derek Dixon and Washington’s JJ Mandaquit.

Both were excellent facilitators with high assist and low turnover numbers last year on power conference clubs, and Dixon is a high-level shooter and scorer who should start right away next to Holt and Kharchenkov.

But after Mandaquit, the backcourt depth dramatically falls off, with Bryce James – who redshirted last year – the only other guard expected to play rotation minutes on the roster.

Lunardi projects 10 Big 12 teams in the field

Nov 21, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lunardi projects 10 teams from the Big 12 to make the field in 2027, with the expansion to 76 teams playing a key role in getting that many teams in the mix.

Joining the Wildcats from the Big 12 are Houston (3 seed), Kansas (4), Texas Tech (5), Iowa State (5), BYU (6), Oklahoma State (10), Baylor (11), TCU (11), and West Virginia (12).

Baylor and West Virginia are included in the last four in, while Cincinnati and Arizona State are the top two teams listed among the first four out.

Arizona begins the season Nov. 2 in Las Vegas against former Pac-12 rival, and projected No. 7 seed, UCLA. The game is set to tip at 7:00 PM PT at T-Mobile Arena.

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Arizona

Miami Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks – Where to Watch, Stream Info, TV Channel, and Live Updates (September 15, 2026)

Published

14 hours ago

September 15, 2026

Press Room

Two teams hovering just outside the playoff picture meet in Phoenix with the Marlins carrying genuine momentum and the Diamondbacks desperate to stop a slide that has cost them ground they can’t easily recover. Miami has gone 7-3 over its last ten games, a stretch that includes a stunning ninth-inning comeback against the Dodgers — capped by a pinch-hit, two-run homer from Agustín Ramírez — that speaks to a club that refuses to fold. Arizona, meanwhile, has dropped five straight and watched its margin for error shrink to nearly nothing.

The offensive contrast is sharp. Otto Lopez is having a quietly excellent season for Miami, hitting .307 with 180 hits, 88 runs, and 30 stolen bases — a table-setter who makes everything around him work. For Arizona, Gabriel Moreno is batting .301 with 131 hits, providing one of the few reliable bats in a lineup that has struggled to generate consistent offense during the losing streak. Geraldo Perdomo adds depth with 131 hits, 66 runs, and 20 stolen bases, giving the D-backs another weapon if they can get things going.

The pitching picture adds another layer. Michael Soroka slots back into Arizona’s rotation with a 3.53 ERA and 8 wins, while Miami counters with a staff that has been quietly effective down the stretch.

Miami Marlins at Arizona Diamondbacks Game Information

Game Date: September 15, 2026
Game Time: 09:40 PM ET
TV Channel: Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

Arizona sits 13 games back in the division and is running out of runway, while Miami trails by 17 games but has played well enough recently to complicate things for teams ahead of them in the wild card chase. The Diamondbacks have gone just 3-7 over their last ten games — a stretch that has turned what was a manageable deficit into something far more daunting. Miami’s 7-3 run over the same span tells the opposite story: a team that has found something late. With Arizona at 43-38 at home and Miami at 41-40 on the road, the Marlins’ road form makes them a credible threat here.

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 80-82
Home Record: 43-38
Away Record: 37-44
Division Record: 14-18
Streak: 5 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .494

Miami Marlins Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 79-83
Home Record: 38-43
Away Record: 41-40
Division Record: 16-16
Streak: 1 Win streak
Winning Percentage: .488

Stat Leaders

Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82, #4 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Gabriel Moreno, 0.301
RBI Leader: Ketel Marte, 73 RBI
Home Run Leader: Nolan Arenado, 25 HR
Runs Leader: Corbin Carroll, 88 Runs
Hits Leader: Gabriel Moreno, 131 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Corbin Carroll, 21 SB
ERA Leader: Dennis Santana, 0.90 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Eduardo Rodriguez, 135 K
Wins Leader: Eduardo Rodriguez, 15 W
Saves Leader: Paul Sewald, 24 SV

Miami Marlins (79-83, #3 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Otto Lopez, 0.307
RBI Leader: Otto Lopez, 69 RBI
Home Run Leader: Heriberto Hernández, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Otto Lopez, 88 Runs
Hits Leader: Otto Lopez, 180 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Otto Lopez, 30 SB
ERA Leader: Anthony Bender, 2.62 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Eury Pérez, 155 K
Wins Leader: Sandy Alcantara, 13 W
Saves Leader: Pete Fairbanks, 19 SV

What to Watch For

Michael Soroka re-enters Arizona’s rotation carrying a 3.53 ERA and 8 wins — numbers that make him one of the more reliable arms on a staff that has been reshuffled after Zac Gallen’s move to the bullpen following a 6.22 ERA season. Soroka gives the D-backs a legitimate anchor at a moment when they need length and stability. On the offensive side, Ketel Marte’s 73 RBI and Corbin Carroll’s 88 runs and 21 stolen bases represent the kind of production Arizona needs to rediscover during a five-game skid.

For Miami, the injury report creates opportunity. With Max Meyer on the injured list and Anthony Bender also unavailable, other arms will need to carry the load — and Tyler Phillips, with a 3.56 ERA, is positioned to be a factor. Offensively, Kyle Stowers brings 19 home runs and 61 RBI, while Liam Hicks has contributed 14 home runs and 62 RBI. Javier Sanoja, hitting .293 with 9 home runs and 63 RBI, rounds out a lineup that has been productive enough to go 7-3 over its last ten games and could keep that going against a rotation in transition.

Arizona Diamondbacks Injury Report

Ryan Thompson – Back (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred RHP Ryan Thompson to the 60-day injured list due to a strained lower back.
Ryne Nelson – Elbow (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred RHP Ryne Nelson to the 60-day injured list due to strained right elbow.
Cristian Mena – Shoulder (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks placed RHP Cristian Mena on the 60-day injured list with strained right shoulder.
Andrew Saalfrank – Shoulder (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks placed LHP Andrew Saalfrank on the 60-day injured list following his shoulder surgery.
A.J. Puk – Elbow (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks placed LHP A.J. Puk on the 60-day injured list.
Tyler Locklear – Thumb (D60) – The Arizona Diamondbacks recalled 1B Tyler Locklear from the minors and placed him on the 60-day injured list.

Miami Marlins Injury Report

Owen Caissie – lumbar stress (D10) – Caissie is Out of the game for Sunday’s (Sept. 13) game against the Dodgers.
William Kempner – Elbow (D60) – The Miami Marlins placed RHP William Kempner on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow sprain.
Anthony Bender – Shin (D15) – The Miami Marlins placed RHP Anthony Bender on the 15-day injured list with a right shin stress reaction.
Adam Mazur – Elbow (D60) – The Miami Marlins placed RHP Adam Mazur on the 60-day injured list with right elbow surgery.
Ronny Henriquez – Elbow (D60) – The Miami Marlins placed RHP Ronny Henriquez on the 60-day injured list with right elbow UCL surgery.
Max Meyer – Neck (D15) – The Miami Marlins placed RHP Max Meyer on the 15-day injured list due to neck a injury.
Andrew Nardi – Ribs (D60) – The Miami Marlins transferred LHP Andrew Nardi from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to a stress reaction in his left ribcage.
Robby Snelling – Elbow (D60) – The Miami Marlins transferred LHP Robby Snelling from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with a left UCL sprain.

Arizona Diamondbacks Upcoming 2026 Schedule

September 15, 2026 vs Miami Marlins
September 16, 2026 vs Miami Marlins
September 18, 2026 vs New York Yankees
September 19, 2026 vs New York Yankees
September 20, 2026 vs New York Yankees
September 22, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
September 23, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
September 24, 2026 at Colorado Rockies
September 25, 2026 at San Diego Padres
September 26, 2026 at San Diego Padres

Miami Marlins Upcoming 2026 Schedule

September 15, 2026 at Arizona Diamondbacks
September 16, 2026 at Arizona Diamondbacks
September 18, 2026 at San Diego Padres
September 19, 2026 at San Diego Padres
September 20, 2026 at San Diego Padres
September 22, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
September 23, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
September 24, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
September 25, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
September 26, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves

Frequently Asked Questions

Where to watch Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game?: The Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game airs on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network on September 15, 2026 at 09:40 PM ET. You can also stream it live on Fubo with no cable required — start a free trial.
Arizona Diamondbacks game tonight: what time and what channel?: The Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game is scheduled for September 15, 2026 at 09:40 PM ET on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network. You can stream it live on Fubo — no cable required. Free trial available.
How can I watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins without cable?: You can watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins without cable by streaming on Fubo. The game airs on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network, which is included with a Fubo subscription. Regional availability restrictions may apply. Start a free trial and stream live — no cable needed.
Can I watch Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks on Fubo?: Yes — the Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game is available on Fubo. Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network is included with a Fubo subscription — no cable required. Start a free trial.
Where can I live stream Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks?: You can live stream Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks on Fubo. The game airs on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network and streams live on Fubo with no cable required. Start a free trial.
How can I watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins online free?: You can watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins online free by starting a Fubo free trial. Fubo streams the game live on smart TV, phone, tablet, and web browser — no cable required. Start your free trial.
Where is the Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game being played?: The Miami Marlins vs Arizona Diamondbacks game is being played at Chase Field in Phoenix. Stream the game live on Fubo with no cable required — start a free trial.
What upcoming Arizona Diamondbacks games can I watch on Fubo?: Upcoming Arizona Diamondbacks games on Fubo:
• September 16, 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks vs Miami Marlins | 09:40 PM ET
• September 18, 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Yankees | 09:40 PM ET
• September 19, 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Yankees | 08:10 PM ET
• September 20, 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Yankees | 04:10 PM ET
• September 22, 2026 — Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies | 08:40 PM ET
Stream live with no cable required. Start a free trial.
Does Fubo have MLB games?: Yes. Fubo carries MLB games on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network. No cable required — sign up for Fubo and stream live MLB games on any device.
Can I record MLB games on Fubo?: Yes. Fubo includes Unlimited Cloud DVR at no extra cost, so you can record any MLB game on Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, and MLB Network and watch it on your own schedule. Start a free trial.

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.

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Arizona

2026 Election: These competitive Arizona races could decide control of US House

Published

1 day ago

September 14, 2026

Press Room

2026 Election: These competitive Arizona races could decide control of US House

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona doesn’t have a US Senate race on the ballot this election, but there are a few US House races drawing national attention.

The outcome in Arizona’s Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 6 could help determine control of the US House, as Republicans attempt to hold onto their majorities in Congress.

Both parties are spending heavily in these two competitive races, as Republicans try to keep Democrats at bay.

Congressional District 1

Amish Shah, left, and Jay Feely, right, will face off in November.(Arizona’s Family)

Democrats aim to flip Arizona’s Congressional District 1, which has been within their grasp the past few elections.

The district is currently represented by GOP Rep. David Schweikert, who vacated his seat to run for governor and lost in the July GOP primary.

Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, who’s never held political office, is hoping to be Schweikert’s successor.

He’s competing against Democratic nominee Amish Shah, who ran for the seat in 2024 and lost by less than four percentage points.

Feely bills himself as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and has embraced the president’s endorsement. In an interview on Arizona’s Family “Politics Unplugged” in April, he defended Trump’s war with Iran, expressed support for Trump’s handling of the economy and tariff policy, and backed the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.

Feely also attended the GOP’s unprecedented midterm convention, which some other Arizona Republicans skipped, as midterms have historically been a referendum on the president and party in charge.

Shah, a former state legislator and emergency room doctor, emerged as the victor in the Democratic primary marred by political infighting, beating the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s preferred candidate. He has centered his campaign on health care costs and the economy.

Shah and Democrats have attacked Feely over his ties to Trump, arguing that the Republican would be an “unquestioning rubber stamp” for the president, an accusation Feely has denied. Meanwhile, Feely is attempting to cast Shah as a “socialist” Democrat.

But before becoming political opponents, Feely and Shah were part of the same team — the New York Jets. Shah was a doctor on the sidelines, while Feely was the kicker.

The two are scheduled to debate on October 7 at 6 p.m.

Congressional District 6

GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani is running for another term to represent Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District, which is a top target for Democrats.

A former Gov. Doug Ducey adviser, Ciscomani first won his House seat in 2022, helping Republicans pick up a House seat and win control of the chamber. He’s narrowly won reelection every election since then. He’s touted his bipartisanship record, legislation expanding veterans’ benefits, and millions he’s secured in funding for local infrastructure projects.

His Democratic challenger for the southeastern Arizona seat is JoAnna Mendoza, a retired Marine, former drill instructor, and daughter of farmworkers.

In a Sept. 10 debate, Ciscomani accused Mendoza of favoring policies that would raise taxes, while Mendoza seized on the congressman’s vote in favor of Trump and the GOP’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill.

When they were negotiating the bill last year, Ciscomani was one of several Republicans who pushed back against hardline conservatives’ steep proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The bill signed into law enforces stricter work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid, resulting in millions losing access to the programs.

In a statement defending his vote, Ciscomani admitted that the bill “is not perfect,” but he argued that it “includes many provisions that I know my constituents in southeastern Arizona support.”