Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva, has won the Democratic primary in her bid to fill her father’s former U.S. House seat. Her victory marks a continuation of her family’s political legacy and positions her as the frontrunner in the upcoming special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, a reliably Democratic area.
Grijalva secured a commanding lead over her opponents, including activist Deja Foxx and former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez. With over 60% of the vote, she won by a wide margin, carrying every county in the district. Her win reflects strong support from both progressive and establishment wings of the Democratic Party. She received endorsements from prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Mark Kelly, and Representative Ruben Gallego.
Adelita Grijalva is currently a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and has a long history of public service, including time on the Tucson Unified School District board. Her campaign focused on continuing her father’s legacy of progressive advocacy, championing issues like education, healthcare, and immigrant rights.
Her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, served Arizona’s 7th District for over two decades before passing away earlier this year. He was known for his strong progressive stance and leadership on issues such as public lands, indigenous rights, and social justice.
With the primary behind her, Adelita now advances to the special general election set for September. She will face Republican Daniel Butierez, a business owner and community figure. Given the district’s strong Democratic lean, she is widely considered the favorite to win.
The outcome of this race holds significance not only for Arizona but for the broader Democratic coalition, reflecting the enduring influence of political families and the ongoing generational shift within the party. Grijalva’s win also represents a potential milestone—if elected, she would become Arizona’s first Latina member of Congress.
As she prepares for the general election, Adelita Grijalva has emphasized unity and the importance of maintaining Democratic momentum in Congress. Voters and analysts alike are closely watching the race as a symbol of both legacy and change within American politics.
