Latest news with #7thCongressionalDistrict
7 days ago
- Politics
Southern Arizona voters cast ballots to select nominees to succeed late US Rep. Raúl Grijalva
PHOENIX -- Voters in Southern Arizona cast ballots Tuesday to select nominees to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who was one of the most senior and progressive power brokers on Capitol Hill. His death in March left the seat wide open for the first time in over two decades. Grijalva was a champion of environmental protections and reliably went to bat for immigrants and Native American tribes. He routinely breezed past GOP challengers in the deep-blue district, which stretches across most of the state's border with Mexico and includes parts of Tucson and nearby counties. A handful of Democratic hopefuls — including Grijalva's daughter — are seeking the nomination in the primary for the 7th Congressional District seat. Adelita Grijalva, a progressive, is regarded as the frontrunner. Also in the running are former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez; digital strategist and reproductive rights advocate Deja Foxx; Indigenous activist and scholar Jose Malvido Jr.; and retired health care executive Patrick Harris Sr. Painting company owner Daniel Butierez, off-road vehicle businessman Jimmy Rodriguez and restaurant owner Jorge Rivas are vying for the GOP bid. Butierez captured more than one-third of the vote in the 2024 election against Raúl Grijalva. Polls closed in Tuesday's primary at 7 p.m. The winners will face off for the seat in the special general election on Sept. 23. The seat will not decide control of the U.S. House, but it is one of three vacancies in heavily Democratic districts that, when filled in special elections this fall, will likely chip away at Republicans' slender 220-212 majority in the chamber. Democrats enjoy a nearly 2-1 ratio registration advantage over Republicans in the 7th District. Lee Ziesche, a 36-year-old climate justice organizer, said climate and affordability are among the top issues for her in this election. She said she is voting for Adelita Grijalva. 'I do think that Adelita has organized and been a part of this community for a very long time and would carry on her father's progressive legacy,' Ziesche said. Rosalyn Carrillo is supporting Foxx, the youngest candidate at 25 years old who has said she's an alternative to a "legacy" last name and will be an obstructionist to President Donald Trump. 'We need something different. We need to change it up,' said Carrillo, a 19 year-old college student in Tucson. Jim Chilton, an 86-year-old rancher who owns a ranch on the Arizona-Mexico border, said he is supporting Butierez because he feels he'd make decisions in line with securing the border if elected.
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Forget ‘Trump accounts.' Here's how to secure our children's future.
Darrick Hamilton is chief economist at the AFL-CIO and director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School. Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat, represents Massachusetts's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the United States, the wealthiest nation in the world, a child born into poverty is unlikely to ever climb out of it. Wealth inequality in this country has reached historic highs, with the top 10 percent of households holding 67 percent of the nation's total wealth, while the bottom 50 percent holds just 2.5 percent. This means that millions of children grow up lacking basic economic security.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans, a 'longshot' for Democrats
Tennessee is expected to see a special election later this year to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, and political experts say it could bring an open field of Republican candidates. Regardless of who runs for Green's seat, experts say it would likely be a 'longshot' for any Democratic candidates as the district has a strong Republican hold. Green on June 9 announced his resignation from the 7th Congressional District, just months after his reelection, to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. His district represents a swath of rural counties in middle and west Tennessee, as well as Montgomery County and parts of Davidson and Williamson counties. 'It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress," he said in a statement. "Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up. As a result, today I notified the Speaker and the House of Representatives that I will resign from Congress as soon as the House votes once again on the reconciliation package." His office didn't respond to an interview request; it's unclear what the private sector opportunity is. Republicans hope to pass what President Donald Trump calls his 'big, beautiful bill' by July 4. If Green vacates his seat after voting on the bill, the state could see a special election this fall. Under Tennessee law, Gov. Bill Lee must order a special election within 10 days of Green's resignation and set a primary election date within 55 to 60 days. The state would then set a subsequent general election within 100 to 107 days. Green was reelected in November. His term expires in January 2027. Green, a 60-year-old doctor and military veteran who lives in Clarksville, was first elected to his seat in 2018. He announced in February 2024 that he would not seek a fourth term, characterizing the country and Congress as nearly irreversibly broken. He changed his mind after a flurry of calls from fellow Republicans and a personal appeal from Trump. John Geer, a longtime political science professor at Vanderbilt University, speculated that Republicans, without any other strong candidates, asked Green to reconsider as he was set to fight off a challenge from former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry. 'They might have been worried a little bit that Megan Barry might win,' he said. Geer said it's unclear who would run for his seat now, but any new candidate will be quickly bolstered by Lee and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee. A typical low turnout for special elections could help a Democratic candidate, but Geer said it will depend on the political climate later this year, and the climate is changing fast. 'It's a longshot, but if the public is really angry and there is a Democrat that is viewed as a moderate, there could be a chance,' he said. Kent Syler, a political science and public policy professor at Middle Tennessee State University, said Barry ran a spirited and well-funded campaign against Green but still had relatively low turnout at 38%. Syler said Tennessee's 7th Congressional District contains an interesting mix of urban, suburban and rural voters, which poses a challenge for Democrats since they typically do better in urban areas. 'That dynamic will make it very difficult for a Democrat to take this seat,' he said. 'That being said, this race is going to be far more about Donald Trump than it is about the two candidates.' Green serves as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, and it's unclear how his departure will impact a Congressional investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. The investigation is set to be led by the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees. A former U.S. Army major, Green was first elected to office in the Tennessee General Assembly, where Trump tapped him in 2017 to serve as Secretary of the Army. The move, however, sparked a backlash over comments he made about LGBTQ+ groups and Muslim religious practices. Green has said comments were misconstrued, but he withdrew his candidacy. During his time in Congress, Green was an advocate for legislation affecting U.S. soldiers and veterans. His first bill after being sworn into Congress was the Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act to allow Coast Guard Gold Star Spouses to continue receiving stipends via the Survivor Benefits Plan. He advocated against the mandated COVID-19 vaccine for military members and fought for those who did not comply to be honorably discharged. Tennessee and Montgomery County Republicans have praised his service as news of his retirement spread. Tennessee GOP Chairman Scott Golden said Green was both a friend to him and the Republican Party. "Congressman Mark Green is a true American patriot,' Golden said. 'He has served in the Army, served as a doctor, served Tennessee in the State Senate, and served our Country in Congress.' Aron Maberry, freshman representative in the Tennessee General Assembly, commended Green's work. "Mark has really fought hard for District 7 and has done a lot of great things in Washington, D.C., and stood with our president," Maberry said. "I'm thankful for his services to our nation, in Tennessee and Montgomery County." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sen. Mark Green's retirement leaves open field for Republicans and a 'longshot' for Democrats
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Potential replacements for Tennessee U.S. Rep. Green line up
U.S. Rep. Mark Green addresses supporters at the Montgomery County Republican Party on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo: Anita Wadhwani/Tennessee Lookout) The list of possible candidates for a special election to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Mark Green is growing after his second decision to quit before his term ends in 2026, with one person confirming he will run for the seat. Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps announced Tuesday he will seek the 7th Congressional District seat in the wake of Green's plan to depart. 'Congressman Green is an American patriot who has served our country on the battlefield and served Tennesseans in the halls of Congress,' Van Epps said in a release. 'From one West Point grad to another, I commend Congressman Green for his conservative legacy and his commitment to advancing President Trump's America First agenda on behalf of Tennessee.' Van Epps graduated from West Point and served multiple combat deployments as a helicopter pilot with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based in Clarksville. He continues to serve in the Tennessee Army National Guard. A Nashville resident, he was previously senior vice president of operations at Main Street Health, a rural healthcare company. Tennessee state Sen. Bill Powers and state Rep. Jody Barrett, as well as former state Rep. Brandon Ogles, told the Lookout Tuesday they are looking at potential candidacies. Powers, a Clarksville Republican, said he is 'seriously considering' a run for the 7th Congressional District seat after Green announced he will resign from the post once the House votes on President Donald Trump's budget and domestic policy bill. 'This is nothing I take lightly and am talking with family and friends as we carefully consider this major decision,' Powers, a second-term senator, said in a text message. 'We do need conservative leadership and someone who will support the president's agenda. I'm prepared to fill that role.' Barrett, a Dickson Republican, said he has consistently stated that he has no 'burning desire to climb any political ladder or get to the next proverbial level' but left the door open for a candidacy amid public support. 'If I were to run for Congress, it would be for the same reasons I decided to run for state representative. My family and I are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement from throughout the 7th Congressional District for me to jump into this race, but I have never been one to act impulsively or out of self-interest. We will continue to wait, watch and seek direction as to what is best for the Tennesseans that love living in western Middle Tennessee,' said Barrett, who is in his second House term. Ogles, who served two terms in the House before opting not to seek re-election, told the Lookout he and his family are praying about a potential run. His cousin, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, represents Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. Others being mentioned for the election include Republican state Rep. Gino Bulso of Brentwood, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Green, chairman of the U.S. Homeland Security Committee, announced in February 2024 he would be leaving the U.S. House but reneged within two weeks. He had been dogged at that point by revelations he and his wife were going through a divorce as she said publicly he started carousing in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress. Trump selected Green, a graduate of West Point, to serve as secretary of the Army in 2017. But questions about his stances on vaccines and whether former President Barack Obama was a U.S. citizen or a Muslim left him short on support and he withdrew from consideration. Green said this week he decided to step down from Congress because of a private sector opportunity 'too existing to pass up.' His vote is expected to be critical in passing Trump's budget plan because Republicans hold a narrow House majority. District 7 includes 14 counties in Middle and West Tennessee, with more than half of votes cast coming from Davidson, Montgomery and Williamson Counties. The district was redrawn after the 2020 census and with the inclusion of portions of Nashville, picked up more Democratic territory but is still considered a safe Republican seat by the Cook Political Report, which provides nonpartisan analysis of federal campaigns and elections. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's manufacturing vision meets hard reality in Pennsylvania
On this installment of 'All Over the Map,' CNN's John King visits the 7th Congressional district of Pennsylvania, a political bellwether and manufacturing powerhouse, to hear from Trump voters who are facing the reality of Trump's trade policies in their own lives.
