Arizona's 1st congressional district is acongressional district located in the U.S. state ofArizona, covering northeasternMaricopa County. Before 2023, geographically, it was the eleventh-largest congressional district in the country and included much of the state outside thePhoenix andTucson metropolitan areas. From 2013 through 2022, it also included theNavajo Nation, theHopi reservation, and theGila River Indian Community, with 25% of the population being Native American. At that time, the district had moreNative Americans than any other congressional district in the United States.[4] In the 2022 elections,David Schweikert was elected in the redefined district.
When Arizona was first divided into congressional districts as a result of the1950 census, the 1st district comprised all ofMaricopa County, home to Phoenix, while the rest of the state was in the2nd district. In a mid-decade redistricting resulting fromWesberry v. Sanders in 1967, the 1st was cut back to eastern Phoenix and most of what became theEast 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 the2000 U.S. census. The old 1st essentially became the6th district, while a new 1st district was created to serve most of the state outside of Phoenix and Tucson.
During its time in the East Valley, the 1st district was represented by some of Arizona’s most prominent lawmakers, includingJohn Jacob Rhodes, the House Minority Leader during theNixon administration, who was succeeded byJohn McCain, a future senator and presidential nominee.Jeff Flake, another future Senator, held the district during the final term as the East Valley district.
After the 2012 redistricting, theHopi 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 theGila River Indian Community. Meanwhile, heavily RepublicanPrescott, the old 1st's largest city, and much of surroundingYavapai County were drawn into the new, heavily Republican4th district. The district was then considered to be significantly more competitive for Democrats, who held the seat without interruption for a decade.
Arizona gained a second congressional seat after the1940 census. It used ageneral ticket to elect its representatives until the1948 elections, when candidates ran from each of the districts.
.svg)
.jpg)
.svg)
