# Arizona's 3rd congressional district

Arizona's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district that includes most of southern, western, and downtown Phoenix, along with a southern portion of Glendale. It is currently represented by Democrat Yassamin Ansari.
From 2003 to 2013, most of the district's population was in middle-to-upper class areas in the northern part of Phoenix. Like the metropolitan area in general, the 3rd district leaned Republican, although the southern parts of the district in east-central Phoenix and Paradise Valley were more competitive between the parties. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+24, it is the most Democratic district in Arizona.

## History

Arizona picked up a third district after the 1960 census. It encompassed the entire northern portion of the state, essentially wrapping around Phoenix and Maricopa County (the 1st district). After a mid-decade redistricting in 1967, the 3rd absorbed a slice of western Maricopa County, including most of what became the West Valley.
Due in part to explosive growth in the Phoenix/Maricopa portion of the district, the 3rd lost much of its eastern portion in the 1970 census. Although it appeared rural on paper, the great majority of its population lived in the West Valley. By the 1970s, as many people lived in the West Valley as in the rest of the district combined.
After the 1990 census, the district was reconfigured to include the Hopi Reservation on the other side of the state. This was a product of longstanding disputes between the Hopi and Navajo. Since tribal boundary disputes are a federal matter, it was long believed inappropriate to include both tribes' reservations in the same congressional district. However, the Hopi reservation is completely surrounded by the Navajo reservation. The final map saw the Hopi reservation connected to the rest of the district by a long, narrow tendril stretching through Coconino County. This was the only way to allow the district to remain contiguous without covering significant portions of Navajo land.
After the 2000 census, this district essentially became the 2nd district, while the 3rd was reconfigured to include much of what had been the 4th district. It now contained most of northern Phoenix as well as some of its northern suburbs. Most of the district's population was in middle-to-upper-class areas in the northern part of Phoenix. Like the metropolitan area in general, the 3rd district leaned Republican, although the southern parts of the district in east-central Phoenix and Paradise Valley were more competitive between the parties.
George W. Bush received 58% of the vote in this district in 2004. John McCain took in 56.47% of the vote in the district in 2008 while Barack Obama received 42.34%.
Most of that territory became the 6th district after the 2010 census, while the 3rd was shifted to cover most of what had been the 7th district. This version of the 3rd stretched from western Tucson to Yuma, running along the entire length of the border between Arizona and Mexico. This district, in turn, had mostly been the 2nd district from 1951 to 2003.
After the 2020 census, this district essentially became the 7th district once again, while the 3rd was redrawn to cover much of the former (2013-2022) 7th. It now included much of inner Phoenix, as well as Glendale. Much of this district, in turn, had been the 4th district from 2003 to 2013.

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains the following counties and communities:

### Maricopa County (4)

    Glendale (part; also 8th and 9th), Guadalupe, Phoenix (part; also 1st, 4th, and 8th), Tempe (part; also 4th)

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 66% - 33% |
| 2010 | Senate | Glassman 58% - 36% |
| 2010 | Governor | Goddard 68% - 29% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Deschene 67% - 33% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | Rotellini 71% - 28% |
| 2010 | Treasurer | Cherny 65% - 27% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 74% - 26% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 71% - 21% |
| 2016 | Senate | Kirkpatrick 63% - 31% |
| 2018 | Senate | Sinema 76% - 20% |
| 2018 | Governor | Garcia 68% - 28% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Contreras 75% - 25% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 75% - 24% |
| 2020 | Senate (Spec.) | Kelly 77% - 23% |
| 2022 | Senate | Kelly 76% - 21% |
| 2022 | Governor | Hobbs 75% - 24% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Fontes 78% - 22% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Mayes 76% - 24% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Quezada 72% - 28% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 69% - 29% |
| 2024 | Senate | Gallego 73% - 24% |

## List of members representing the district

Arizona began sending a third member to the House after the 1960 census.
| Representative | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | Geography and counties |
| District created January 3, 1963 ||||||
| George F. Senner Jr. (Miami) | Democratic | January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1967 | 88th 89th | First elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Lost re-election. | 1963–1967: Northern Arizona: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai |
| Sam Steiger (Prescott) | Republican | January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1977 | 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th | First elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 1967–1973: Northern Arizona, including parts of Metro Phoenix: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai, Maricopa (part) |
| Sam Steiger (Prescott) | Republican | January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1977 | 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th | First elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. | 1973–1983: Western Arizona, including parts of Metro Phoenix: Coconino, Mohave, Yavapai, Yuma, Maricopa (part) |
| Bob Stump (Tolleson) | Democratic | January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983 | 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | First elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Changed political parties. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1973–1983: Western Arizona, including parts of Metro Phoenix: Coconino, Mohave, Yavapai, Yuma, Maricopa (part) |
| Bob Stump (Tolleson) | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2003 | 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | First elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Changed political parties. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1983–1993: Western Arizona, including parts of Metro Phoenix: Coconino, La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Maricopa (part), Yuma (part) |
| Bob Stump (Tolleson) | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2003 | 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | First elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Changed political parties. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1993–2003: Western Arizona, including parts of Metro Phoenix: La Paz, Mohave, Yavapai, Coconino (part), Maricopa (part), Navajo (part) |
| John Shadegg (Phoenix) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2011 | 108th 109th 110th 111th | Redistricted from the 4th district and re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Retired. | 2003–2013: Parts of Metro Phoenix: Maricopa (part) |
| Ben Quayle (Phoenix) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | 112th | Elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 6th district and lost renomination. | 2003–2013: Parts of Metro Phoenix: Maricopa (part) |
| Raúl Grijalva (Tucson) | Democratic | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023 | 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th | Redistricted from the 7th district and re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Redistricted to the 7th district. | 2013–2023: Southern Arizona: Maricopa (part), Pima (part), Pinal (part), Santa Cruz (part), Tucson (part), Yuma (part) |
| Ruben Gallego (Phoenix) | Democratic | January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 | 118th | Redistricted from the 7th district and re-elected in 2022. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | 2023–present: |
| Yassamin Ansari (Phoenix) | Democratic | January 3, 2025 – present | 119th | Elected in 2024. | 2023–present: |

## Recent election results
### 2002

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Shadegg | 104,847 | 67.32% |
| | Democratic | Charles Hill | 47,173 | 30.29% |
| | Libertarian | Mark Yannone | 3,731 | 2.40% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57,674 | 37.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 155,751 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2004

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Shadegg (Incumbent) | 181,012 | 80.10% |
| | Libertarian | Mark Yannone | 44,962 | 19.90% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 136,050 | 60.20% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 225,974 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2006

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Shadegg (Incumbent) | 112,519 | 59.27% |
| | Democratic | Herb Paine | 72,586 | 38.23% |
| | Libertarian | Mark Yannone | 4,744 | 2.50% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 39,933 | 21.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 189,849 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2008

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Shadegg (Incumbent) | 148,800 | 54.08% |
| | Democratic | Bob Lord | 115,759 | 42.07% |
| | Libertarian | Michael Shoen | 10,602 | 3.85% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 33,041 | 12.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 275,161 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2010

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ben Quayle | 108,689 | 52.24% |
| | Democratic | Jon Hulburd | 85,610 | 41.14% |
| | Libertarian | Michael Shoen | 10,478 | 5.04% |
| | Green | Leonard Clark | 3,294 | 1.58% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 23,079 | 11.10% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 208,071 | 100.00 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2012

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Raul M. Grijalva (Incumbent) | 98,468 | 58.37% |
| | Republican | Gabriela Saucedo Mercer | 62,663 | 37.15% |
| | Libertarian | Blanca Guerra | 7,567 | 4.49% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 35,805 | 21.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 168,698 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Raul M. Grijalva (Incumbent) | 58,192 | 55.7% |
| | Republican | Gabriela Saucedo Mercer | 46,185 | 44.2% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,007 | 11.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 104,428 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Raul M. Grijalva (Incumbent) | 148,973 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 148,973 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Raul M. Grijalva (Incumbent) | 106,064 | 63.39% | −36.61% |
| | Republican | Nicolas Pierson | 61,267 | 36.61% | +36.61% |
| Margin of victory | Margin of victory | Margin of victory | 44,797 | 26.78% | −73.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 167,331 | 100.0% | N/A |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Raúl Grijalva (incumbent) | 174,243 | 64.6 |
| | Republican | Daniel Wood | 95,594 | 35.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 269,837 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ruben Gallego (incumbent) | 108,599 | 76.98 |
| | Republican | Jeff Zink | 32,475 | 23.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 141,074 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2024

Arizona's 3rd Congressional District House Election, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Yassamin Ansari | 143,336 | 70.93 | −6.04% |
| | Republican | Jeff Zink | 53,705 | 26.58 | +3.56% |
| | Green | Alan Aversa | 5,008 | 2.48 | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 16 | 0.01 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 202,065 | 100.0 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |