Since Rep. Juan Ciscomani took office in 2023, his Arizona district has undergone a clean energy transformation. Electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors expanded its Casa Grande facility fourfold, creating thousands of jobs. Solar energy is also booming across the district as farms, residents, and utilities install panels to manage rising electricity prices. One of the most ambitious projects—the SunZia transmission line—will soon deliver wind energy from New Mexico across his district to major power hubs in Phoenix and California.
Much of this clean energy growth has been fueled by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the 2022 climate law passed by Democrats. It offers tax credits and funding that have attracted clean energy investments to Ciscomani’s district. However, Republican leaders, led by former President Trump, want to cut these incentives as part of a broader spending package. Trump has branded the IRA as the “Green New Scam,” setting up a political dilemma for Republicans like Ciscomani.
Ciscomani now faces a critical decision: support his district’s economic progress and risk alienating Trump and GOP leadership, or align with party demands and potentially lose local support. The House GOP budget proposal, set for a vote by Memorial Day, seeks to eliminate or severely reduce IRA credits. Though Ciscomani supported the broader budget resolution, he’s also advocated for preserving some clean energy provisions, indicating the complexity of his position.
Ciscomani Balances GOP Loyalty and Local Pressure to Preserve Clean Energy Gains
A rising Republican figure, Ciscomani holds one of the country’s most competitive House seats. He’s tried to straddle both sides—meeting with GOP leadership to argue for preserving certain IRA credits while not drawing red lines publicly. Despite supporting the underlying budget process, he insists he will fight for provisions that benefit his district, pointing to the local impact on jobs, investment, and even national energy security.
Local leaders and residents are urging Ciscomani to protect the clean energy policies. Kirsten Engel, an environmental law professor and former opponent, argues Ciscomani must back up his words with action. Casa Grande Mayor Lisa Navarro Fitzgibbons, along with 15 other mayors, signed a letter asking Congress to maintain the IRA credits, saying any cuts would directly hurt small towns benefiting from clean energy investment and job creation.
Lucid Motors is now Pinal County’s largest employer, and its growth has boosted median income and population in Casa Grande. The city’s fortunes have reversed, with companies like Procter & Gamble, semiconductor suppliers, and even Target returning. A nearby college has trained thousands for clean energy jobs. Lucid’s success is tied to IRA manufacturing and EV tax credits, and company executives warn that removing these incentives would slow growth and reduce future job opportunities.
Clean Energy Cuts Threaten Solar Growth, Rural Projects, and Ciscomani’s Political Standing
Solar businesses in the district are similarly vulnerable. The Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association warns that removing tax credits could spike electricity prices and stall solar expansion. Local developer Obodo Energy recently completed a large solar installation for a commercial farm, supported by IRA incentives. Without such support, solar developers and agricultural producers may have to abandon or delay projects critical to the region’s economy and energy resilience.
Projects like the SunZia line, though not directly funded by IRA, depend on the clean energy it enables. Rural entrepreneurs like Sal Tirrito, who planned a solar-powered retreat in Willcox, have had to put projects on hold due to uncertainty around IRA funding. The IRA’s impact is felt not just in big factories, but in small farms and local businesses trying to reduce energy costs and embrace sustainability.
Democrats are seizing on Ciscomani’s dilemma. Opponents like JoAnna Mendoza accuse him of showing up for ribbon-cuttings while enabling GOP attempts to slash the funding that made those jobs possible. Demonstrations outside his Tucson office and rallies from national Democrats like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are turning the spotlight on his votes. They argue that failing to defend IRA provisions and programs like Medicaid will harm his constituents deeply.
Ciscomani has declared Medicaid a red line but hasn’t committed to protecting IRA clean energy credits. With more than 30,000 constituents at risk of losing health coverage and thousands of jobs dependent on clean energy incentives, the stakes are high. Supporters, like GOP state Sen. T.J. Shope, say Ciscomani can navigate the political tightrope. But with national attention on his swing district, the coming vote could define not just his political future, but also the trajectory of clean energy in Arizona.