Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday for the special election in Arizona for her late father’s seat, giving her a clear path to victory in the deep blue district.
Adelita Grijalva had 62% of the special primary vote, besting her closest competitor, Democratic influencer Deja Foxx, who had 21% of the vote, with about two-thirds of the ballots counted.
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ), who served 12 terms in Congress, died in March from complications from cancer treatments. His daughter announcing her candidacy to finish his term was similar to when the late Texas Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee died and her daughter — former Rep. Erica Lee Carter — won an election to succeed her.
Adelita Grijalva had many endorsements heading into this crowded primary. Both senators from Arizona, Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), endorsed her, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Foxx, 25, is a Gen Z social media strategist who gained traction later in the primary with her promise for change. With 400,000 followers on TikTok and 250,000 followers on Instagram, Foxx had a large digital audience for her campaign.
Adelita Grijalva will now face Republican Daniel Butierez for the 7th Congressional District special general election on Sept. 23.
Rep. Raul Grijalva had just begun his seventh term in the House when he died at 77. His daughter leaned heavily into carrying on her father’s legacy in her campaign messaging.
FIRST AD DROP!!
My parents named me Adelita – it means fighter.
They taught me to stand up for the people and for the community. Will you join us?
Help us share: https://t.co/o5meWHhPYt pic.twitter.com/aHOE79PFej
— Adelita Grijalva (@AdelitaForAZ) June 5, 2025
This is the second of three special election primaries set to take place this Congress to fill the seats of three Democratic members — in deep blue seats — who died in office. As Republicans have the slimmest of majorities, Democrats need every seat filled to help counter the GOP trifecta in Washington.
These special elections will preview what Democratic message resonates the most with voters as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
Virginia held a special election primary in June to replace the late House Oversight Ranking Member Gerry Connolly. His former chief of staff, James Walkinshaw, won the nomination.
The special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by former Rep. Sylvester Turner’s death in March will occur on November 4 in Texas in another blue district. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to leave the seat open most of the year has frustrated Democrats.
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“We shouldn’t play politics about those special elections and deadlines, like the governor of Texas has done in leaving that seat open, vacant while the governor of Arizona fulfills the requirement to call that election,” Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar told the Washington Examiner at a press conference on Tuesday. “It’s important for these constituents.”
“We will be comfortable, and we will feel better when we have full representation within the Democratic caucus,” he later added.
