August 10th Luncheon Speakers
U.S. Representative for CD2 - Eli Crane
Serving Arizona's 2nd Congressional District Elijah James "Eli" Crane is an American businessman, combat veteran, and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district. First elected to office in November 2022, Crane is a member of the Republican Party and represents an expansive district that encompasses much of northern and eastern Arizona, including Prescott, Flagstaff, and the Navajo Nation.
Born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1980, Crane was raised in the Grand Canyon State. He graduated from Cibola High School in Yuma in 1998, later attending Arizona Western College and the University of Arizona. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Crane felt a profound call to service, leaving college during his senior year to enlist in the United States military.
Crane spent 13 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy (2001–2014), where he successfully completed the grueling selection process to become a Navy SEAL. Crane participated in five wartime deployments, including three combat tours in Iraq with SEAL Team 3. His time in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community shaped his leadership style, instilling a deep focus on defending the U.S. Constitution and protecting individual liberties.
Upon transitioning back to civilian life in 2014, Crane and his wife, Jen, co-founded Bottle Breacher, a veteran-owned small business operating initially out of their garage. The company manufactured unique bottle openers crafted from recycled .50-caliber shell casings. The venture gained national prominence after a successful appearance on the reality television show Shark Tank, where they secured a business partnership. The company eventually grew to employ dozens of people, with a corporate mission dedicated to hiring and supporting veterans and military families nationwide. The Cranes successfully sold the business in 2022 prior to his run for public office.
Taking office in January 2023, Representative Crane quickly aligned himself with the fiscally conservative House Freedom Caucus. His legislative priorities reflect his background in small business and national security. Crane is an advocate for lower taxes, reduced federal regulation, and pro-growth economic initiatives. He has a strong emphasis for border security, defense readiness, and expanding support networks for retired service members.
Committee Assignments include: House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs
Eli Crane lives in Arizona with his wife, Jen, and their two daughters, Makenzie and Kennedy. He remains actively involved in veteran advocacy organizations and local community initiatives across Arizona's second district.
Sergio Arellano: Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona & Military Veteran
Sergio Arellano is an American political strategist, community advocate, and combat veteran currently serving as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona (AZGOP). A first-generation American from the grassroots, Arellano’s career spans a decade of honorable military service and extensive leadership within Arizona’s civic and political landscape.
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Arellano is the son of immigrants from Sonora, Mexico. Inspired by a deep sense of gratitude to the nation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He served for over 10 years as both an infantryman and a Human Resources Specialist. His military career included deployments overseas, eventually leading to an honorable retirement due to injuries sustained during combat operations. Following his military service, he dedicated much of his time to veteran advocacy, focusing heavily on suicide prevention and improving transition resources for separating service members.
Transitioning into civic leadership, Arellano built a reputation as a dedicated grassroots organizer and communicator within the state of Arizona. He served as a core field organizer and strategist during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns in Arizona, developing deep ties with precinct committeemen and grassroots activists across the state. In 2018, driven by a desire to address high dropout rates and economic hardships in his home region, he ran in the Republican primary to represent Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District.
Prior to taking the helm of the state party, Arellano served as the Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications for the Republican-led Arizona House of Representatives, guiding messaging and policy communication strategy at the State Capitol.
On January 24, 2026, at the party's annual meeting in Prescott Valley, Arellano was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Arizona, securing the leadership role in a runoff vote.
As Chairman, Arellano focuses on unifying the state party, expanding high-dollar and grassroots fundraising, and preparing robust field operations for upcoming election cycles. A core pillar of his leadership strategy is expanding the party’s outreach to Hispanic and minority communities throughout Arizona, emphasizing shared values of family, economic opportunity, and civic education.
Menu for The August 10th Luncheon
- Lasagna
- Greek Salad
- Green Beans
- Garlic Rolls
- Dessert