U.S. Tom O’Halleran [D-District 2], a Village of Creek resident who district includes Sedona and the Verde Valley, conceded to Republican challenger Eli Crane on Friday Nov. 11.
O’Halleran is currently down by 22,375 votes, 150,370 to 127,995 votes, 46.0% to 54.0%.
Crane stated in a press releases that “he spoke with outgoing U.S. Tom O’Halleran, who graciously called to concede the race.”
In an official statement, Crane thanked his supporters, volunteers, and most importantly, his family for their support throughout the campaign.
Crane pledged to work for all the people of Arizona District 2, whether they voted for him or not.
“I first want to thank my family,” Crane said. “I could not have done this without my amazing wife Jen and my two daughters. I’m incredibly proud of the work my campaign put in since launching in July 2021. I am especially grateful to my supporters and volunteers across the district for delivering this victory.
“In Congress, I will never forget whom I serve or why the people sent me to represent them. I will always be your voice. The America First movement has once again sent a dear message tonight to the people of Arizona and the nation. Now begins the real work of getting this country we love back on the right track.”
“I want to thank the hardworking Arizonans that made calls, knocked doors, and engaged voters–especially the unparalleled staff on Team O’Halleran. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to this uniquely giving, intelligent, and truly dedicated group of people,” O’Halleran stated in his concession statement. “Whether they voted by mail or in person, Arizonans turned out and participated in our democracy this year. And an essential part of that democracy is a peaceful transfer of power, at every level of government.”
“There’s no denying that my team and I are incredibly disappointed in these results, but I thank the families of Arizona’s First District for giving me the opportunity to serve you these last six years,” O’Halleran said. “I thank my opponent for a well-fought and challenging race and wish him all the best in his service to Arizona’s Second District.”
Crane served in U.S. Navy for 13 years, went on five war time deployments, three of them to the Middle East with SEAL Team 3. Crane and his wife Jen own Bottle Breacher, a company based in Tucson, featured on “Shark Tank” that employs and gives back to veterans nationwide. He and his wife have two daughters.
O’Halleran served in the Chicago Police Department as a homicide detective from 1966 to 1975, then ran a futures trading business and served on the Chicago Board of Trade. After retiring to Arizona, he served three consecutive terms as a Republican in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007 and one term in the Arizona State Senate from 2007 to 2009. He left the Republican Party 2014 citing its policies on education, water, and child welfare and ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona State Senate as an independent. As a Democrat, he was elected to Arizona Congressional District 1 in 2016. O’Halleran and his wife, Pat, in the Village of Oak Creek area near Red Rock State Park. They have three children and four grandchildren.
