Eli Crane

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Eli Crane
BornElijah James Crane
3 1, 1980
BirthplaceTucson, Arizona, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, businessman, former U.S. Navy SEAL
Known forU.S. Representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district; co-founder of Bottle Breacher
EducationArizona Western College (attended)
University of Arizona (attended)
Spouse(s)Jen Crane
Children2
AwardsBronze Star Medal
Website[[crane.house.gov crane.house.gov] Official site]

Elijah James "Eli" Crane (born January 3, 1980) is an American politician, businessman, and former United States Navy SEAL serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Republican Party and the House Freedom Caucus, Crane first won election to Congress in 2022 by defeating Democratic incumbent Tom O'Halleran in a redrawn district that stretched across much of rural and eastern Arizona.[1] Before entering politics, Crane served thirteen years in the U.S. Navy, including multiple combat deployments during the Iraq War, and co-founded Bottle Breacher, a company that manufactured patriotic-themed bottle openers from decommissioned ammunition. The company gained national attention after appearing on the television program Shark Tank in 2014 and was subsequently sold in 2022.[2] Crane won re-election in 2024 against Democratic nominee Jonathan Nez, the former president of the Navajo Nation.[3]

Early Life

Elijah James Crane was born on January 3, 1980, in Tucson, Arizona.[4] He grew up in Arizona, where he would later build both his military career and his post-service business ventures. Details regarding his parents and upbringing are limited in available public records.

Crane attended Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona, and later attended the University of Arizona in Tucson, though he did not complete a degree from either institution before entering military service.[5]

Military Service

Crane enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and served until 2014, a period of thirteen years that encompassed some of the most active phases of American military operations in the Middle East.[5] He completed the rigorous training required to become a Navy SEAL and was assigned to operational SEAL teams during his service.

During his time in the Navy, Crane deployed to Iraq as part of the Iraq War, serving in combat operations. His military service formed a central element of his later public identity, both as an entrepreneur marketing products to the veteran and patriotic consumer market and as a political candidate emphasizing national security and veterans' affairs.[6]

Crane left the Navy in 2014 and transitioned to civilian life in Arizona, where he began pursuing business opportunities that drew on his military background and connections to the veteran community.

Career

Bottle Breacher

After leaving the Navy, Crane and his wife Jen co-founded Bottle Breacher, a company based in Arizona that manufactured bottle openers crafted from decommissioned .50-caliber ammunition casings. The products were marketed with patriotic and military-themed designs, targeting consumers in the veteran community and beyond.[7]

The company received significant national exposure in 2014 when Crane appeared on ABC's Shark Tank, a television program in which entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of investors. The appearance resulted in financial backing from one of the show's investors and substantially increased the company's profile and sales volume.[7] The resulting surge in orders created logistical challenges for the company, including back-order issues that were later analyzed in a 2018 CNBC segment featuring investor Kevin O'Leary.[7]

Crane continued to operate Bottle Breacher for several years while also becoming increasingly involved in conservative political activism. He sold the company in 2022 as he pursued his congressional campaign.[5]

Early Political Activity

Crane's first foray into electoral politics came in 2018, when he sought the Republican nomination for Arizona's 1st congressional district. He ran in the Republican primary but was unsuccessful in securing the nomination.[8]

Following the 2020 census and subsequent redistricting in Arizona, the congressional map was redrawn, creating new district boundaries. The newly configured 2nd congressional district encompassed a large swath of rural and eastern Arizona, territory that had previously been part of the 1st district represented by Democratic incumbent Tom O'Halleran.[9] The redistricting made the new 2nd district significantly more favorable to Republican candidates, prompting multiple GOP contenders to enter the race.

In July 2021, Crane announced his candidacy for the newly drawn 2nd congressional district seat.[10] Crane positioned himself as a conservative outsider and aligned with claims regarding the integrity of the 2020 presidential election, a stance shared by several Republican candidates nationwide during the cycle.[11]

2022 Congressional Campaign

The 2022 Republican primary for Arizona's 2nd congressional district featured a competitive field. Former President Donald Trump endorsed Crane during the primary campaign, though the endorsement drew a mixed reaction at a rally in Arizona, where some attendees audibly booed the selection.[12] Despite the mixed crowd response, the Trump endorsement helped Crane consolidate support within the Republican electorate.

Crane won the Republican primary on August 2, 2022, securing the party's nomination for the general election.[13]

In the general election, Crane faced Democratic incumbent Tom O'Halleran, who was seeking re-election in the substantially redrawn district. The new boundaries placed O'Halleran at a significant disadvantage, as the district had shifted from a competitive seat to one that leaned Republican.[14] Crane campaigned on issues including border security, veterans' affairs, and opposition to the policies of the Biden administration. On November 8, 2022, Crane defeated O'Halleran, winning the seat and flipping the district to Republican control.[15] The results were certified by the Arizona Secretary of State in December 2022.[16]

U.S. House of Representatives

118th Congress (2023–2025)

Crane took office on January 3, 2023, as the representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district.[17]

The beginning of the 118th Congress was marked by a protracted and historic Speaker of the House election. Crane initially voted against Kevin McCarthy's bid for the speakership during the early rounds of balloting, joining a group of conservative holdouts who demanded concessions on House rules and procedures. After extended negotiations that spanned multiple days and 15 rounds of voting, Crane ultimately switched his vote to support McCarthy, helping him secure the speakership.[18][19]

Crane became a member of the House Freedom Caucus, the conservative bloc within the Republican conference that has often pushed for more aggressive conservative policy positions and challenged Republican leadership on procedural matters.[20]

During the 118th Congress, Crane focused on issues related to border security, veterans' affairs, Second Amendment rights, and rural Arizona concerns. His legislative priorities reflected the conservative orientation of his district and his alignment with the Freedom Caucus.

2024 Re-election

In the 2024 election cycle, Crane sought re-election to his seat in Arizona's 2nd congressional district. He faced Democratic nominee Jonathan Nez, who had previously served as president of the Navajo Nation. Nez's candidacy drew attention given the significant Native American population within the district's boundaries. Crane won re-election, defeating Nez and securing a second term in Congress.[5]

119th Congress (2025–present)

In the 119th Congress, Crane has continued to pursue legislative priorities centered on rural Arizona issues, veterans' affairs, and conservative policy goals.

In January 2026, Crane introduced H.R. 6931, the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act, legislation aimed at codifying the water rights settlement for the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona. The bill sought to authorize the settlement agreement and address water resource issues affecting the tribal community within his district.[21]

In February 2026, Crane voted in favor of the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require identification to vote in federal elections. Crane framed his support as a measure to strengthen election integrity.[22]

Also in February 2026, Crane issued statements praising a Trump administration policy change regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs and firearms reporting practices. Crane characterized the change as a restoration of Second Amendment rights for veterans.[23][24]

Crane announced the U.S. Forest Service's allocation of $182 million in retroactive Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments for 2024, funding that directly affected rural communities in his district.[25]

In September 2025, Crane faced criticism from Democratic operatives and political observers regarding his position on disclosure of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Democratic groups ran advertisements accusing Crane of reversing a previous stance supporting transparency on the matter.[26]

As of early 2026, national Democratic organizations, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), have targeted Arizona's 2nd congressional district as a competitive seat for the 2026 midterm elections. Former Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez has again been identified as a potential Democratic challenger, with the DCCC placing him on its "Red to Blue" list.[27][28]

Personal Life

Crane is married to Jen Crane, who was his business partner in co-founding Bottle Breacher. The couple have two children and reside in Arizona.[5] Jen Crane appeared alongside Eli on Shark Tank during the 2014 episode that featured Bottle Breacher, and she was involved in the company's operations throughout its existence.

Crane's identity as a Navy SEAL veteran has been central to both his business career and his political campaigns. He has frequently referenced his military service in public statements and campaign materials, drawing on his combat experience as a foundation for his positions on national security and veterans' issues.

Political Positions

Crane has aligned with the conservative wing of the Republican Party on most issues. As a member of the House Freedom Caucus, he has supported stricter immigration enforcement and border security measures, expanded Second Amendment protections, voter identification requirements for federal elections, and fiscal conservatism.[29]

On election issues, Crane has supported claims questioning the integrity of the 2020 presidential election and has backed legislative efforts to impose stricter voter identification requirements.[30][31]

On veterans' affairs, Crane has advocated for policies protecting the firearm rights of veterans receiving care through the VA system, opposing practices he has described as infringing on veterans' Second Amendment rights.[32]

On tribal and rural issues, Crane has introduced legislation addressing water rights for Native American communities in his district and has promoted federal funding programs benefiting rural schools and communities.[33]

Electoral History

Year Office Election Opponent(s) Result
2018 Arizona's 1st congressional district Republican primary Multiple candidates Lost
2022 Arizona's 2nd congressional district Republican primary Multiple candidates Won
2022 Arizona's 2nd congressional district General election Tom O'Halleran (D) Won
2024 Arizona's 2nd congressional district General election Jonathan Nez (D) Won

Sources: Arizona Secretary of State;[34][35] FEC[36]

References

  1. ↑ "Republican Crane Wins Arizona House Race".Bloomberg News.November 9, 2022.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-09/republican-crane-wins-arizona-house-race.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Kevin O'Leary analyzes Bottle Breacher's back-order issues".CNBC.October 24, 2018.https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/24/kevin-oleary-analyzes-bottle-breachers-back-order-issues.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Eli Crane".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Eli_Crane.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "CRANE, Elijah James".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C001132.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Eli Crane".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Eli_Crane.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Arizona New Members 2023".The Hill.https://thehill.com/new_members_2023/3739121-arizona-new-members-2023/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Kevin O'Leary analyzes Bottle Breacher's back-order issues".CNBC.October 24, 2018.https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/24/kevin-oleary-analyzes-bottle-breachers-back-order-issues.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Crane seeks Republican congressional nomination".Payson Roundup.https://www.paysonroundup.com/elections_2018/crane-seeks-republican-congressional-nomination/article_739bf987-e6d3-5bda-ba0b-99c302e8f8e4.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ WinesMichaelMichael"Tom O'Halleran's Arizona District Took a Sharp Turn to the Right".The New York Times.April 11, 2022.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/us/politics/tom-ohalleran-arizona-house.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Two GOP candidates enter race for Arizona's 1st Congressional District".The Arizona Republic.July 20, 2021.https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2021/07/20/two-gop-candidates-enter-race-arizonas-1st-congressional-district/8034878002/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "GOP candidates Young Guns embrace 'Big Lie'".CNN.October 28, 2021.https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/politics/gop-candidates-young-guns-big-lie/index.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Trump looked surprised when his supporters loudly booed him at an Arizona rally over his Congress endorsement".Business Insider.https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/world/news/trump-looked-surprised-when-his-supporters-loudly-booed-him-at-an-arizona-rally-over-his-congress-endorsement/articleshow/93072496.cms.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "August 2022 State Canvass".Arizona Secretary of State.https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/20220822_state_canvass_master_report_signed.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ WinesMichaelMichael"Tom O'Halleran's Arizona District Took a Sharp Turn to the Right".The New York Times.April 11, 2022.https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/us/politics/tom-ohalleran-arizona-house.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Republican Crane Wins Arizona House Race".Bloomberg News.November 9, 2022.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-09/republican-crane-wins-arizona-house-race.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "December 2022 General Election Canvass".Arizona Secretary of State.https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2022Dec05_General_Election_Canvass_Web.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Representative Elijah Crane".Congress.gov.https://www.congress.gov/member/elijah-crane/C001132.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "The Republicans who just switched their votes to McCarthy".The Hill.https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3802596-the-republicans-who-just-switched-their-votes-to-mccarthy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Here's how Arizona's 9 House members have voted for speaker".KTAR News.https://ktar.com/story/5404872/heres-how-arizonas-9-house-members-have-voted-for-speaker/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Who is in the House Freedom Caucus? Full list of members after midterms results".Newsweek.https://www.newsweek.com/who-house-freedom-caucus-full-list-members-after-midterms-results-1758547.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Rep. Crane Introduces Legislation to Codify the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.January 12, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/01/12/rep-crane-introduces-legislation-to-codify-the-yavapai-apache-nation-water-rights-settlement/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Rep. Crane Supports Bill Requiring Voter ID in Elections".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.February 11, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/02/11/rep-crane-supports-bill-requiring-voter-id-in-elections/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Rep. Crane Applauds the Trump Administration for Protecting Veterans' Second Amendment Rights".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.February 18, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/02/18/rep-crane-applauds-the-trump-administration-for-protecting-veterans-second-amendment-rights/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Rep. Crane Praises Federal Policy Change Ending VA Firearm Reporting Practice".AZ Free News.February 2026.https://azfreenews.com/2026/02/rep-crane-praises-federal-policy-change-ending-va-firearm-reporting-practice/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "U.S. Forest Service Announces Retroactive Funding for Secure Rural Schools Program".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.February 20, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/02/20/u-s-forest-service-announces-retroactive-funding-for-secure-rural-schools-program/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Dems target Eli Crane for flip-flopping on Epstein file disclosure".Arizona Mirror.September 10, 2025.https://azmirror.com/briefs/dems-target-eli-crane-for-flip-flopping-on-epstein-file-disclosure/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Jonathan Nez gets a boost from Dem leaders in his race for Congress".The Arizona Republic.February 23, 2026.https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/02/23/jonathan-nez-wins-boost-in-race-to-unseat-arizona-rep-eli-crane/88820914007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "National Democrats target Maricopa's House district, vow to flip it blue".InMaricopa.com.February 2026.https://inmaricopa.com/national-democrats-target-maricopas-congressional-district-vow-to-flip-it-blue/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Who is in the House Freedom Caucus? Full list of members after midterms results".Newsweek.https://www.newsweek.com/who-house-freedom-caucus-full-list-members-after-midterms-results-1758547.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "GOP candidates Young Guns embrace 'Big Lie'".CNN.October 28, 2021.https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/politics/gop-candidates-young-guns-big-lie/index.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Rep. Crane Supports Bill Requiring Voter ID in Elections".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.February 11, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/02/11/rep-crane-supports-bill-requiring-voter-id-in-elections/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Rep. Crane Applauds the Trump Administration for Protecting Veterans' Second Amendment Rights".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.February 18, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/02/18/rep-crane-applauds-the-trump-administration-for-protecting-veterans-second-amendment-rights/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "Rep. Crane Introduces Legislation to Codify the Yavapai-Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement".Office of U.S. Representative Eli Crane.January 12, 2026.https://crane.house.gov/2026/01/12/rep-crane-introduces-legislation-to-codify-the-yavapai-apache-nation-water-rights-settlement/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "August 2022 State Canvass".Arizona Secretary of State.https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/20220822_state_canvass_master_report_signed.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "December 2022 General Election Canvass".Arizona Secretary of State.https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2022Dec05_General_Election_Canvass_Web.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  36. ↑ "Eli Crane - Candidate".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2AZ01354.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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