Arizona's 1st congressional district
Arizona's 1st congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of Arizona. Geographically, it is the eleventh-largest congressional district in the country and includes much of the state outside the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Since 2013, it includes the Navajo Nation, the Hopi reservation and the Gila River Indian Community, with 25% of the population being Native American. The district has more Native Americans than any other congressional district in the United States.
It is currently represented by Democrat Tom O'Halleran.
History
When Arizona was first divided into congressional districts as a result of the 1950 Census, the 1st district comprised all of Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, while the rest of the state was in the 2nd district. In a mid-decade redistricting resulting from Wesberry v. Sanders in 1967, the 1st was cut back to eastern Phoenix and most of what became the East Valley.Over the years, the 1st's share of Phoenix was gradually reduced due to the area's explosive growth in the second half of the 20th century. However, it remained based in the East Valley until Arizona picked up two seats in the 2000 U.S. Census. The old 1st essentially became the 6th district, while a new 1st district was created to serve most of the state outside of Phoenix and Tucson.
After the 2012 redistricting, the Hopi reservation was drawn into the 1st district; it had previously been included within the 2nd district. Also included were some northern suburbs of Tucson that had been in the 8th, as well as a tiny section of Phoenix itself near the Gila River Indian Community. Meanwhile, heavily Republican Prescott, the old 1st's largest city, and much of surrounding Yavapai County were drawn into the new, heavily Republican 4th district. The district is now considered to be significantly more competitive for Democrats.
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Areas covered
- Apache County
- Coconino County
- Graham County
- Greenlee County
- Navajo County
Small portions of the following counties are also covered:
- Gila County
- Maricopa County
- Mohave County
- Pima County
- Yavapai County
Competitiveness
George W. Bush received 54% of the vote in this district in 2004. John McCain also carried the district in 2008 with 54.4% of the vote while Barack Obama received 44.3%. In the 2012 presidential election Mitt Romney won with 50% of the vote, with Obama receiving 48%. Due to intense competition, this is generally considered a swing district. The redistricting has increased the number of historically Democratic voters.
During the Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Arizona Democratic Primary, the district was won by Hillary Clinton with 48.5% of the vote, while Barack Obama received 42.2% and John Edwards took 5.0%. In the Arizona Republican Primary, the 1st district was won by McCain with 46.0% while Mitt Romney received 35.2% and Mike Huckabee took in 11.7% of the vote in the district.
Tom O'Halleran won the congressional seat in 2016. The district was considered very competitive for both parties in the 2016 primaries and general election.
Voting
List of members representing the district
Arizona gained a second congressional seat after the 1940 Census. It used a general ticket to elect its representatives until the 1948 elections, when candidates ran from each of the districts.| Member | Party | Term | Cong ress | Electoral history | Geographical area |
John R. Murdock | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953 | Redistricted from the. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Lost re-election. | 1949–1967: Maricopa County: Metro Phoenix | |
John J. Rhodes Jr. | Republican | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1983 | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Retired. | 1949–1967: Maricopa County: Metro Phoenix | |
John J. Rhodes Jr. | Republican | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1983 | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Retired. | 1967–1983: Part of Maricopa County: Metro Phoenix | |
John McCain | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1987 | Elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Retired to run for the U.S. senator. | 1983–2003: Part of Maricopa County: Parts of Metro Phoenix | |
John J. Rhodes III | Republican | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1993 | Elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Lost re-election. | 1983–2003: Part of Maricopa County: Parts of Metro Phoenix | |
Sam Coppersmith | Democratic | January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 | Elected in 1992. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | 1983–2003: Part of Maricopa County: Parts of Metro Phoenix | |
Matt Salmon | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired to run for Governor of Arizona. | 1983–2003: Part of Maricopa County: Parts of Metro Phoenix | |
Jeff Flake | Republican | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003 | Elected in 2000. Redistricted to the. | 1983–2003: Part of Maricopa County: Parts of Metro Phoenix | |
Rick Renzi | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2009 | Elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Retired. | 2003–2013: North and East Arizona: Apache County, Gila County, Graham County, Greenlee County, Yavapai County, and parts of Coconino County, Navajo County, and Pinal County | |
Ann Kirkpatrick | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | Elected in 2008. Lost re-election. | 2003–2013: North and East Arizona: Apache County, Gila County, Graham County, Greenlee County, Yavapai County, and parts of Coconino County, Navajo County, and Pinal County | |
Paul Gosar | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | Elected in 2010. Redistricted to the. | 2003–2013: North and East Arizona: Apache County, Gila County, Graham County, Greenlee County, Yavapai County, and parts of Coconino County, Navajo County, and Pinal County | |
Ann Kirkpatrick | Democratic | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017 | Elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | 2013–present: Apache County, and parts of Coconino County, Gila County, Graham County, Greenlee County, Maricopa County (part Navajo County, Pima County, Pinal County | |
Tom O'Halleran | Democratic | January 3, 2017 – Present | Elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. | 2013–present: Apache County, and parts of Coconino County, Gila County, Graham County, Greenlee County, Maricopa County (part Navajo County, Pima County, Pinal County |