Eli Crane
Eli Crane

Eli Crane Arizona, Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Congress, Navy SEAL Career, Net Worth

Eli Crane Biography

Eli Crane is an American politician, former Navy SEAL, and small-business owner representing Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. A Republican, he won the seat in 2022 and began congressional service on January 3, 2023.

Born on January 3, 1980, in Tucson, Arizona, Crane grew up in the state. He graduated from Cibola High School in Yuma in 1998. He attended Arizona Western College and studied at the University of Arizona. However, he left college during his senior year after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Crane enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 2001. During 13 years of military service, he completed five wartime deployments, including three with SEAL Team 3. He served until 2014 before pursuing business interests. In 2012, Crane and his wife, Jen, co-founded Bottle Breacher, a veteran-owned company producing bottle openers from spent shell casings.

The business began in their garage, grew to employ dozens, and gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank. The couple sold the company in 2022. Crane entered electoral politics as a Republican candidate for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. He won the 2022 election and defeated Democrat Tom O’Halleran.

He secured a second term in 2024 after defeating former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. In Congress, Crane joined the House Freedom Caucus and serves on the Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform committees. His legislative interests include border security, immigration enforcement, election rules, federal spending, and conservative social policies.

In 2026, Crane is seeking another term representing Arizona’s 2nd District. He faces Democrat Jonathan Nez and Libertarian Curtis Goodwin in the November general election. Crane lives in Arizona with Jen and their daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy, while continuing his congressional work.Eli Crane+3

Eli Crane Age: How Old Is Eli Crane?

Eli Crane is 46 years old as of November 2026. He was born on January 3, 1980, in Tucson, Arizona, United States. He celebrates his birthday every January. Crane spent his childhood in Arizona and graduated from Cibola High School in Yuma in 1998. After high school, he attended Arizona Western College before enrolling at the University of Arizona. However, he left college following the September 11 terrorist attacks to join the United States Navy. His military service lasted 13 years and included five wartime deployments. He later entered business and American politics.

Eli Crane Height: How Tall Is Eli Crane?

Eli Crane’s height is not publicly established through a verified measurement. Crane is widely recognized for his military background and service as a Navy SEAL. He spent 13 years in the United States Navy and participated in five wartime deployments. After leaving military service in 2014, he pursued entrepreneurship with his wife, Jen. He later entered Congress, representing Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. His public biography focuses primarily on his military experience, business background, and political career rather than physical measurements.

Eli Crane Wife: Who Is Jen Crane?

Eli Crane is married to Jen Crane, an entrepreneur and businesswoman. The couple established their business together in 2012, creating Bottle Breacher, a company that manufactures bottle openers from spent shell casings. Their business started in their garage and eventually expanded to employ dozens of people. Jen played an important role in developing the company alongside her husband. Their entrepreneurial efforts gained national attention after Bottle Breacher appeared on the television program Shark Tank. The couple successfully negotiated a televised business deal and continued growing the company. They eventually sold Bottle Breacher in 2022. Jen and Eli live in Arizona, where they raise their two daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy. She has also supported her husband’s political and professional activities.

Eli Crane Children

Eli Crane has two daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy, with his wife, Jen Crane. The family lives in Arizona, where Crane balances his congressional responsibilities with family life. Crane has spoken about the importance of raising his daughters and providing opportunities for their future. Before entering politics, he and Jen built a veteran-owned business together. Their entrepreneurial experience also allowed them to develop a professional life while raising their children. Although Crane holds a prominent political position, he generally keeps details about his daughters’ private lives away from public attention.

Eli Crane Parents and Family

Eli Crane was born on January 3, 1980, in Tucson, Arizona. He grew up in Arizona and graduated from Cibola High School in Yuma in 1998. However, detailed information about his parents, including their names and occupations, is not publicly established. Crane later built his own family with his wife, Jen. They have two daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy. His family has also played a role in his business background. Jen partnered with him when they established Bottle Breacher in 2012. Their company became a successful veteran-owned business before its sale in 2022. The family continues to live in Arizona.

Eli Crane Education

Eli Crane completed his high school education at Cibola High School in Yuma, Arizona, graduating in 1998. He subsequently attended Arizona Western College from 1999 to 2000. In 2000, Crane enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson. However, he left college during his senior year following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Rather than completing his university studies, Crane enlisted in the United States Navy. He subsequently spent 13 years serving in the military, including deployments with SEAL Team 3.

Eli Crane Political Party

Eli Crane belongs to the Republican Party and represents Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He first entered Congress in January 2023 after winning the 2022 general election. Subsequently, voters reelected him in November 2024 for another congressional term. Crane is also associated with the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative group within the Republican Party. His political positions include border security, stricter immigration enforcement, election integrity, and restrictions on abortion. He supports conservative approaches to federal spending, taxation, and government regulation. Additionally, he has emphasized Second Amendment rights and military support. In 2026, Crane is seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez and Libertarian candidate Curtis Goodwin.

Eli Crane Military Service: Navy SEAL Career and Deployments

Eli Crane served in the United States Navy from 2001 to 2014. He enlisted shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks, leaving college to serve his country. During his 13-year military career, Crane completed five wartime deployments. Three of these deployments involved SEAL Team 3, where he served as a Navy SEAL. His military experience included operations in conflict zones and assignments supporting American military missions. He eventually completed his naval service in 2014.

After leaving the Navy, Crane transitioned into entrepreneurship. He later used his military background when establishing a veteran-owned business with his wife. His military experience also became an important part of his political identity. During his congressional campaigns, he highlighted national security, border protection, and support for American veterans.

Eli Crane Business Career: Bottle Breacher and Shark Tank

Eli Crane became an entrepreneur after completing his military service. In 2012, he and his wife, Jen, co-founded Bottle Breacher, a veteran-owned manufacturing company. The business produced bottle openers using spent shell casings. Crane and Jen initially operated the company from their garage before expanding production. Their business eventually employed dozens of people. Additionally, Bottle Breacher gained national recognition after appearing on the television program Shark Tank.

The couple negotiated a business deal during their appearance, helping introduce their products to a wider market. In 2022, Crane and Jen sold Bottle Breacher. The business marked an important chapter in Crane’s professional life before and during his transition into politics. His experience as a small-business owner later influenced his positions on taxation, government spending, and business regulations.

Eli Crane Career Timeline

YearCareer milestone
1980Born in Tucson, Arizona, on January 3.
1998Graduated from Cibola High School.
1999–2000Attended Arizona Western College.
2000–2001Attended the University of Arizona.
2001Enlisted in the United States Navy.
2001–2014Served in the Navy, including five wartime deployments.
2012Co-founded Bottle Breacher with his wife, Jen.
2014Completed his military service.
2022Sold Bottle Breacher and won election to Congress.
2023Began representing Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.
2024Won reelection against Jonathan Nez.
2026Launched another congressional reelection campaign.

Eli Crane Policies

Eli Crane’s political positions reflect his conservative Republican affiliation. His legislative priorities include border security, immigration enforcement, election rules, and federal spending.

His major policy positions include:

  1. Immigration and border security: Crane supports completing the southern border wall, strengthening border enforcement, and increasing immigration-related restrictions.
  2. Abortion: He supports pro-life policies and has sponsored legislation restricting abortion access.
  3. Election integrity: Crane supports stricter voter identification requirements and proof-of-citizenship measures for federal voter registration.
  4. Healthcare: He has supported some rural healthcare funding while opposing certain expansions of federal healthcare assistance.
  5. Taxation and spending: He advocates lower taxes, reduced government regulation, and controlling federal spending.
  6. Second Amendment: Crane supports gun ownership rights and opposes additional restrictions on firearms.

Additionally, he emphasizes military readiness, veterans’ support, and national security. His congressional voting record provides further details about how he approaches these policy issues.

Eli Crane Arizona Congressman: Congressional Career

Eli Crane represents Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He first won the congressional seat in November 2022, defeating Democratic incumbent Tom O’Halleran. He began his first congressional term on January 3, 2023. Subsequently, he secured reelection in November 2024 after defeating former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. Crane belongs to the Republican Party and the House Freedom Caucus. He has also served on the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform committees. His congressional responsibilities include considering legislation, participating in committee activities, and representing constituents across Arizona’s 2nd District. His political work has focused on immigration enforcement, national security, federal oversight, and conservative legislative priorities.

Eli Crane 2026 Congressional Race: Arizona District 2 Campaign

Eli Crane is seeking another congressional term in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, general election.

He is facing two challengers:

  • Jonathan Nez: Democratic candidate and former Navajo Nation president.
  • Curtis Goodwin: Libertarian candidate.

Crane previously defeated Nez in the 2024 congressional election. He is now defending his seat in their second consecutive election contest. His campaign emphasizes conservative priorities, including border security, election integrity, immigration enforcement, and support for constitutional rights. Crane’s military background and experience as a business owner also feature prominently in his political profile. The race has attracted attention because Arizona’s 2nd District includes numerous tribal communities and extensive rural areas. The candidates have presented different approaches to healthcare, immigration, economic policy, and federal representation.

Eli Crane vs Jonathan Nez: 2026 Election Comparison

CategoryEli CraneJonathan Nez
Full NameEli CraneJonathan Nez
Political PartyRepublicanDemocratic
PositionU.S. Representative for Arizona’s 2nd DistrictFormer President of the Navajo Nation
Current RoleIncumbent congressman2026 congressional candidate
Birth DateJanuary 3, 1980May 26, 1975
Age in 202646 years51 years
BirthplaceTucson, ArizonaTuba City, Arizona
BackgroundFormer U.S. Navy SEAL and businessmanPolitician and former tribal government leader
Military ExperienceServed in the Navy from 2001 to 2014, including five wartime deploymentsNo publicly established military service
EducationCibola High School; attended Arizona Western College and the University of ArizonaNorthland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona University
Previous LeadershipCo-founded Bottle BreacherServed as Navajo Nation president from 2019 to 2023
Congressional ExperienceServed in Congress since January 2023No previous U.S. congressional service
2024 Election ResultWon with 221,413 votes (54.5%)Received 184,963 votes (45.5%)
2026 Election PositionSeeking reelectionChallenging Crane for the seat
Key PrioritiesBorder security, government oversight, lower taxes, and rural recoveryWater security, healthcare access, housing, and rural investment
Voting RecordHas a congressional voting record since 2023Has no congressional voting record
Net WorthEstimated at approximately $1.43 millionNot publicly established
WifeJen CranePhefelia Nez
ChildrenTwo daughtersTwo sons

Eli Crane Voting Record: Key Votes, Political Positions, and Congressional Decisions

Eli Crane’s voting record reflects his conservative Republican positions in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has supported legislation focused on border security, immigration enforcement, gun rights, and reduced federal spending. Additionally, Crane has opposed several Democratic-backed spending and policy proposals. His votes often align with the House Freedom Caucus and conservative priorities. On national security, he has emphasized military readiness and stronger border controls. His congressional voting history also covers healthcare, energy, taxes, and government oversight.

Therefore, his voting record provides insight into his priorities as Arizona’s 2nd District representative. Updated voting statistics: As of October 31, 2026, Crane had voted with his party on 97% of party-split votes during the 119th Congress. He also voted with President Trump’s stated position on 94% of applicable votes. Notably, he broke with Republican colleagues when he voted against the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act in July 2026.

Eli Crane Salary

Eli Crane receives an annual congressional salary of $174,000 in 2026 as a U.S. representative. Congressional compensation applies to most members of the House of Representatives. His salary comes from his federal government position. Before entering Congress, Crane earned income through his military service and business activities. He also co-founded Bottle Breacher with his wife in 2012. The couple sold the company in 2022, before Crane began his second congressional term. His congressional salary does not include separate office operating allowances, which support official congressional responsibilities.

Eli Crane Net Worth

Eli Crane has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.43 million in 2026. His wealth reflects his military service, entrepreneurial activities, and congressional earnings. Before entering politics, Crane co-founded Bottle Breacher with his wife, Jen, in 2012. The veteran-owned company manufactured bottle openers from spent shell casings and gained national attention after appearing on Shark Tank. The couple eventually sold the business in 2022. Additionally, Crane earns an annual congressional salary of $174,000 as Arizona’s 2nd District representative. His financial background combines business ownership and public service.