Elijah James Crane (born January 3, 1980)[1] is an American politician and businessman elected as the U.S. representative from Arizona's 2nd congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Crane served in the United States Navy SEALs and co-founded Bottle Breacher, a company that manufactures bottle openers made of 50-caliber shell casings. In the 2022 House elections, Crane defeated incumbent Democrat Tom O'Halleran.[2]
Early life and education
Crane was born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Yuma.[3] His father worked as a pharmacist. Crane graduated from Cibola High School in 1998 and studied sociology at Arizona Western College and the University of Arizona. One week after the September 11 attacks, he dropped out of college and enlisted in the United States Navy.[4][5]
Career
Crane served in the U.S. Navy from 2001 to 2014.[6] He graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training BUD/S class 256.[7] After SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), he received the NEC 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), entitled to wear the Special Warfare Insignia. During his career, he was a member of the United States Navy SEALs and was deployed five times.[8]
After leaving the military, Crane co-founded Bottle Breacher, a company that manufactures bottle openers made of 50-caliber shell casings. He and his wife pitched the product on an episode of Shark Tank and received investments from Kevin O'Leary and Mark Cuban.[9][10] Crane sold Bottle Breacher in 2022.[11]
U.S. House of Representatives
2022 election
During his 2022 campaign for Arizona's 2nd congressional district, Crane was endorsed by Donald Trump.[12] Crane additionally accepted the endorsement of far-right state senator Wendy Rogers before the date of the primary election.[13][14] Crane won the August Republican primary, defeating state representative Walter Blackman and others.[15] Crane promoted the false conspiracy theory that there were "massive amounts of fraud" in the 2020 United States presidential election. Crane called upon the Arizona State Legislature to decertify Joe Biden's victory in the state, and for the Attorney General of Arizona to launch a criminal investigation into alleged voter fraud.[16][17]
Tenure
Crane did not support Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker, and was one of six Republicans to vote against him on every ballot in the initial Speaker election in 2023.[18][19] In the 15th and final round of voting, Crane dropped his support for a different candidate and voted "present".[20] He would later be one of eight Republicans to support the removal of Kevin McCarthy from the Speakership.[21]
On July 13, 2023, Crane used the phrase "colored people" during a debate over a bill amendment he proposed that he said would prevent the consideration of race in the military. Rep. Joyce Beatty of Ohio immediately had the comment stricken from the Congressional Record. Crane later stated that he "misspoke" when he used the phrase.[22]
Syria
In 2023, Crane was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[23][24]
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
Crane was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[25]
Ukraine
In 2023, Crane voted for a moratorium on aid to Ukraine.[26][27]
In 2023, Crane was among 98 Republicans to vote for a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.[28][29]
Israel
Crane voted to provide Israel with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[30][31]
Committee assignments
For the 118th Congress:[32]
Caucus memberships
Personal life
Crane is Protestant.[34] He lives in Oro Valley, Arizona.[11]
Electoral history
| Year | Office | Party | Primary | General | Result | Swing | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Total | % | P. | ||||||||
| 2022 | U.S. representative |
|
Republican | 38,681 | 35.78% | 1st | 174,169 | 53.86% | 1st | Won |
|
Gain | [35] |
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