By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD — Fresh off visiting America 250 in Washington, D.C., U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani stopped in the Gila Valley on Friday, July 3, for a community meet-and-greet at Genevieve’s Market Place in Downtown Safford. The event was hosted by the Graham County Republican Party.
The event gave local constituents a chance to meet face-to-face with the congressman to discuss federal policy, veterans’ affairs, and targeted regional funding. Ciscomani made it a family affair with his in tow. While the atmosphere inside the marketplace remained supportive, a small handful of peaceful protesters gathered across the street at three corners of the adjacent intersection, holding signs criticizing the congressman’s legislative record and political alignments.
“We Focus on Results”
In response to the demonstrators’ presence, Ciscomani told the Gila Herald that his primary objective remains focused on tangible community improvements rather than political friction.
“I am not sure how many of the Democrats that are outside are going to come over our direction at any point, but I’ll tell you this: for them, or for independents, and even for other people that are supporters of us here, we like to focus on results,” Ciscomani said. “While other people are focusing on the noise and the fighting, we come in, and we do stuff like this: fund roads, fund fire stations, fund schools.”
Ciscomani highlighted recent legislative wins across rural Southern Arizona, noting that his office pays attention to every corner of the district regardless of population size.
“In Duncan, Arizona, a road hadn’t been refurbished in 48 years, and we just did that,” Ciscomani stated. “Even the Duncan community leaders were saying, ‘Hey listen, he doesn’t come here for the votes.’ I mean, that’s the smallest part of our district, but we’re there because it’s the right thing to do. Hopefully, people see that and say, ‘This guy is beyond politics; we’re just wanting to get results here.’ It’s pretty common sense.”
And he’s done the same thing in Pima, passing funding to help build a new fire station and partially fund a road with a traffic light to the new high school from the highway. Ciscomani has also received funding for Graham County’s water system and, in this year’s most recent round so far, for Thatcher’s 1st Avenue road widening, among others, for the Gila Valley.
Dual Committee Roles Driving Veterans’ Advocacy
A major pillar of Ciscomani’s message to Gila Valley residents centered on his unique position to advocate for military veterans. He is currently the only member of Congress serving on both the House Appropriations Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“I get to impact both sides — funding for our veterans and policy for our veterans,” Ciscomani explained, adding that his office has successfully returned $7.5 million in backlogged federal funds to local service members by cutting through bureaucratic red tape. “When a veteran calls, they get personal service regarding disability claims or any issue they have with the federal government. Taking care of our veterans continues to be a big priority for this area.”
Addressing reports that some of the demonstrators across the street were veterans themselves, Ciscomani extended an open door.
“We would love to see them and help them out. It doesn’t make a difference to us,” he said. “Everybody who served our nation and wore that uniform, we want to continue to fight for them.”
Protesters Air Grievances Outside Venue
Outside the venue, a small group of demonstrators expressed a completely different view of the congressman’s tenure, characterizing him as inaccessible and overly aligned with national party figures.
“It takes a real effort to have a 100 percent agreement with every Trump position since he took office,” said local protester Steve Jarvis, who stood at the intersection alongside fellow demonstrator Sandra Lewis. “That’s quite an achievement.”
Another demonstrator, Hal Herbert, leveled harsher criticism against the congressman regarding transparency during the Safford stop.
“Juan Ciscomani is a coward. He kicked out the press, he won’t take questions, and he wouldn’t dare come out here and talk to us,” Herbert claimed.
Despite the opposing viewpoints on the streets of Downtown Safford, the event concluded peacefully as Ciscomani wrapped up his constituent outreach tour.
