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NBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Adelita Grijalva wins Democratic primary to succeed her late father in Arizona House district
Arizona Democrats have nominated Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, to fill his former seat in a September special election, The Associated Press projects. Grijalva, a former member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, won Tuesday's special Democratic primary ahead of Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old activist, and former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez. Grijalva, 54, accumulated support from an array of powerful elected Democrats, including Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and national progressive leaders like Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. Both Grijalva and Foxx described themselves as progressives, but fissures emerged during the campaign over the issue of generational change. Foxx took a swipe at Grijalva during a debate last month, saying she was not born 'on a path' to Congress and has no 'legacy last name.' Foxx also won backing from former Democratic National Committee vice chair David Hogg's PAC, Leaders We Deserve, which is aiming to back younger candidates in Democratic primaries this election cycle. Grijalva said in an interview this month that experience should matter more than age. 'It's frustrating to me how experience is being seen as a negative,' Grijalva told NBC News, adding: 'I'm a little surprised that in a Democratic primary, in a party that really should be working to inform people and not spread misinformation — that was not something that I was prepared for.' Before serving on the county board of supervisors, Grijalva was a longtime member of the Tucson school board and directed a nonprofit juvenile diversion program. Raúl Grijalva won 12 terms representing the area in Congress before he died in March at the age of 77.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Adelita Grijalva wins Arizona special primary in bid to succeed her late father
Adelita Grijalva, a former Pima County supervisor and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), is projected to win the Democratic nomination to represent Arizona's 7th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. Adelita Grijalva beat four other challengers in the Democratic primary to succeed her father, who had represented the same southern Arizona House district until he died in March, prompting a special election to replace him. The district stretches across much of the state's southern border and includes portions of Tucson. The former Pima County supervisor's most competitive challengers included former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, who gained prominence for helping save former Rep. Gabby Giffords's (D-Ariz.) life when he was an intern during the 2011 shooting, and Gen Z influencer Deja Foxx. The Arizona special primary received national attention, not just because of the late Grijalva's prominence, but also because it was seen as yet another test for a party grappling with generational tensions within its ranks. The 25-year-old Foxx had seen some momentum in the closing weeks of the race, leading to speculation that the party could see another upset similar to the one in New York City's mayoral primary in June, in which Millennial democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). But unlike Cuomo, Adelita Grijalva enjoyed endorsements not only from members of the center, like Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), but also progressives like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Ariz.). Grijalva touted her experience in the community in the days leading up to the race. 'When I say I am a proponent of preschool, it's not just saying that I'm going to do preschool. I actually created a whole system in Pima County, where every year $10 million is dedicated to free preschool,' she told The Hill, referring to the Pima Early Education Program Scholarships, which the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted for in 2021. Former Vice President Harris carried the district in November by 22 points, meaning that she's seen as the heavy favorite to win the seat in the special general election on Sept. 23.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
What to know about the race to replace the late Arizona House Democrat
Voters in southern Arizona will have a good sense of who might succeed the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva – one of three septuagenarian Democrats who died while serving in Congress since the start of this year – after July 15. The Democratic and Republican primaries on Tuesday come two months before the special election on Sept. 23. But, in the deep blue stronghold, whoever comes out on top among the handful of candidates on the left will have the general upper hand. Adelita Grijalva, the late congressman's daughter and former member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, is the leading contender for the Democratic nomination, in what has become a microcosm of an ongoing national debate about the future of the party. Also in the mix in Arizona is a more moderate former intern for former Rep. Gabby Giffords, as well as a Gen-Z social media savant. On the Republican side, three candidates face off in hopes they can defeat more than two decades of precedent. Grijalva, a staunch progressive, champion of environmental issues and congressman of over twenty years, died in March at the age of 77 following a battle with lung cancer. The special election to fill his seat is one of three that will be held this year to fill House vacancies prompted by the death of a congressmember, all Democrats. Who was Rep. Sylvester Turner? The Texas Democrat who died right after Trump's speech Grijalva's daughter leads three-way Democratic contest Adelita Grijalva, 54, is the expected frontrunner leading in the special election's limited polling. Taking up her father's progressive mantle, Grijalva said in a debate on June 10 that his work in office 'is the legacy that shaped me.' Her campaign has garnered a slew of endorsements from prominent groups and figures, in and out of the state, including both Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and fellow progressives Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Her main competitors include former state legislator Daniel Hernandez, 35, who had been working for one week as an intern to Giffords when a gunman opened fire at her Tucson constituent event in 2011. Hernandez, then a 20-year-old college student, has been credited with saving Giffords' life by rushing toward her when she was shot in the head and staunching the bleeding. The race in Arizona is a three-way contest between Hernandez, Grijalva and 25-year-old Deja Foxx, a popular social media strategist and activist. While Grijalva has the political establishment's backing (and Hernandez has his own endorsements from lawmakers like New York Rep. Ritchie Torres), Foxx has attracted support from some Democratic disruptors seeking a major shift in the party. David Hogg, activist and former co-vice chair of the Democratic Party, and his political group, Leaders We Deserve, have endorsed Foxx's grassroots campaign. Democratic primary winner has the upper hand Tuesday's Democratic primary will be a good indication of who will ultimately win the seat and provide insight into voters' hopes for the party. Whichever Democrat comes out on top will be in the prime position to win in September, given the 7th district's historically liberal leaning. Three Republicans – Daniel Butierez, Jimmy Rodriguez and Jorge Rivas – hope to buck the region's longstanding tradition of going Democrat. All are businessmen with thin political resumes. The winner of the July 15 Republican primary faces a steep general election battle, regardless of opponent. Aid for House Democrats Congressional Democrats are counting on a Democrat to win in southern Arizona. The outcome of this special election will help them tighten the margin in the House and put extra pressure on Republicans, who are already working with a narrow majority. House Speaker Mike Johnson's intraparty tightrope was evident early in July during the passage of President Donald Trump's sweeping tax, spending and policy legislation. In a campaign video on July 4, the day Trump signed the bill into law, Foxx, one of Arizona's trio of Democratic candidates, said Republicans won 'not because Democrats didn't fight hard enough, but because three Dem congressmen died, while in office, and handed MAGA Republicans the advantage.' Grijalva's death came a week after former Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, died at 70. In May, Virginia's Rep. Gerry Connolly, 75, was the third Democrat to die in office. A special election to replace Connolly will be held in northern Virginia on Sept. 9. Texas' 18th Congressional District, in the Houston area, will select Turner's successor later on Nov. 4.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special election nears to fill Raúl Grijalva's seat in Congress. What to know
The deadline is June 16 to register to vote in the special primary election in Arizona's 7th Congressional District. Two days later, early voting begins. Candidates are running to fill the vacant seat of the late U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Unapologetically liberal and often blunt, Grijalva, D-Ariz., was a fixture of Tucson politics, first as a school board member in the 1970s, then as a Pima County supervisor in the 1990s. Grijalva was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2002 and went on to serve 11 full terms, making him one of the longest-tenured members in Arizona's history. Here's what voters in the sprawling southwestern Arizona district need to know. U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva died March 13, triggering the need for a special election to fill the remainder of his two-year term. The special primary election is July 15. The general election is scheduled for Sept. 23. Five Democrats and three Republicans are on the ballot. The Democrats are Deja Foxx, a progressive activist; Adelita Grijalva, a former member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the daughter of Rep. Grijalva; Patrick Harris Sr., an innovator; former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez; and Jose Malvido Jr., a social activist and organizer with an emphasis on indigenous rights. The five participated in a debate June 10. On the Republican ticket are Daniel Francis Butierez Sr., who runs his own painting company; Jorge Rivas, a restaurateur; and Jimmy Rodriguez, who has a background in construction and automotive electronics. The three participated in a debate June 9. CD7 covers parts of six of Arizona's 15 counties. The heaviest concentration is in Pima and Yuma counties, with smaller parts of Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties also within CD7 boundaries. To find out if you are eligible to vote in the CD7 primary, the Arizona Secretary of State provides a one-stop list of every county recorder in the state. Go to to find your county recorder and check if you are eligible to vote in the July 15 election. If you are not registered, you can do so through your county recorder or at The deadline to register to vote for the primary is election is June 16. Voters can start casting their ballots by mail or at early voting stations on June 18. The deadline to request a ballot is July 7. Several counties have drop boxes. Pima County offers two locations in Tucson that will be available 24 hours a day, from June 18 through Election Day July 15. Find them at the downtown recorder's office, 240 N. Stone Ave., as well as at the east-side office, 6920 E. Broadway Blvd. Pinal County offers a list of all early voting sites and drop box locations. Find it at For early voting sites and drop boxes in the other four counties, contact that county directly. The Arizona Citizens Clean Election Commission also provides an overview of voting information and contact numbers. After the July 15 election, the winning Democratic and Republican candidates will advance to the Sept. 23 general election. Early voting for that election will begin Aug. 27 across the entire district. Reach the reporter at or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl. . Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona special election to fill Raúl Grijalva's seat. What to know
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Grijalva's daughter running for his Arizona seat
The daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) is running for his House seat in the special election set to replace him this fall. Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat and a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, announced her candidacy Monday in a post on the social platform X, saying Arizona deserves a 'progressive champion' who will stand up to President Trump and fight for working families. Grijalva said her father, who died of lung cancer earlier this month at 77 years old, spent his life fighting for justice, equity and dignity for the most vulnerable communities. She highlighted her record as an advocate, serving on a school board to strengthen public education and the board of supervisors to push for investments in affordable housing, child care and protecting the Sonoran Desert. 'Those are my values, and they are grounded right here in southern Arizona. The place I've lived my entire life,' she said. 'I know the hopes, the struggles and the strength of our community because it's in my DNA.' Grijalva also said the idea of America that her father's legacy represents is under 'serious threat,' arguing that Trump, Elon Musk and their 'gang of billionaires' are destroying schools, attacking sacred rights, poisoning the environment and hurting the most vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens, veterans, children and immigrants. 'But together, we can stop them,' she said. Grijalva will face Daniel Hernández Jr., a former Arizona state House member, in the Democratic primary, which is set for July 15. Hernández is a former intern for former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) who received widespread praise for his role in saving Giffords's life during the attempted assassination of her in 2011. A Phoenix-based Fox affiliate reported that Grijalva will resign from her seat on the board of supervisors April 4. Whoever wins the Democratic primary in the heavily Democratic-leaning 7th Congressional District should be the clear favorite to win the general election, which is set for Sept. 23. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
