Eli Crane is out of the gate with a wide lead over his Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s elections. The early returns from Arizona’s congressional races contained few surprises.

PHOENIX — Republican U.S. Rep. Eli Crane won reelection in a Republican-leaning congressional district covering vast swaths of rural Arizona. Crane faced a spirited challenge from Democrat Jonathan Nez, the former Navajo Nation president, in the 2nd District race. Nez was vying to become the first Native American to represent Arizona in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane wins a second term in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District, beating Democrat Jonathan Nez.

Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) defended his House seat from Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez, bringing the GOP one step closer to holding the majority in the House of Representatives once again. The Associated Press called the race Saturday night with 90% of the vote counted.

Republican Eli Crane wins reelection to U.S. House in Arizona's 2nd Congressional District.

With the election only days away, voters will decide who will represent Arizona’s largest congressional district. The Second Congressional District stretches from south of Phoenix to the borders of New Mexico in the east and Utah in the north,