Staff Reports
An ambitious former Yavapai County bigwig is gearing up to take on Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. The daring move comes after Crane crossed party lines and aligned with Democrats to boot former California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the speakership, adding more fuel to the fiery battle that is shaking up Congress.
Jack Smith, not to be mixed up with the special prosecutor in the indictments of former President Donald Trump, is throwing his hat in the ring to challenge Crane, and the political rumble is getting real. Smith, who flexed his political muscle as a Yavapai County Board of Supervisors member and later waved his flag at Yavapai College, is aiming to shake things up in the realm of Arizona politics.
Crane, who first took the congressional stage in 2022 by trouncing then-Rep. Tom O’Halleran, is now facing the music as Smith steps into the spotlight. The battle lines are drawn in the sand, as Crane finds himself in hot water after dancing to a different tune and playing nice with the opposition.
And to add more drama to the spectacle, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has set his sights on challenging Crane from the Democratic corner, making the bid for the 2nd Congressional District a full-blown political circus. It’s a loaded show with power plays and strategic moves, as both sides gear up for a showdown that’ll send shockwaves through Arizona and beyond. So grab your popcorn and hold onto your seats, folks, because this political rollercoaster is just getting started!
