Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of the late progressive congressman Raúl Grijalva, emerged victorious in a special election held on Tuesday. She secured the seat vacated by her father’s passing earlier in the year.
Grijalva’s opponent in the contest was Republican Daniel Butierez. The race took place in the seventh district of Arizona, known for its strong Democratic leanings. This district spans the southern region of the state, encompassing the border areas.
Raúl Grijalva held the congressional seat for over two decades before his death at the age of 77 in March. With Adelita’s win, Arizona will send its first Latina to Congress.
The outcome of this election reduces the Republicans’ majority in the House. Notably, this is significant given that Trump’s legislation had only passed by a single vote.
Adelita Grijalva, a seasoned local politician in southern Arizona, triumphed over Democratic rivals in a highly scrutinized primary. This contest captured national attention amid an ongoing discussion about the future of the Democratic Party. The debate centers on the role of aging candidates, as Raúl Grijalva’s fatality is one of several among Democratic lawmakers this year.
At 54, the younger Grijalva faced criticism from her primary opponent, Deja Foxx, who questioned the legitimacy of her campaign as a “legacy last name.” Grijalva defended her own political accomplishments and embraced her family’s legacy in the district. She has dedicated 20 years to the Tucson school board and has served as a Pima county supervisor since 2020. Her campaign received endorsements from many prominent progressives and elected officials across the state.
Grijalva emphasized that she is not solely relying on her father’s last name. She has been actively involved in the community for a long time, having spent 26 years working for a non-profit, served on the school board for 20 years, and held a position on the board of supervisors for four years and four months. Grijalva firmly believes she has earned her last name as well.
As a progressive, Grijalva’s top priorities include upholding democracy, advocating for immigrants’ rights, and safeguarding access to Medicare and Medicaid. During the primary, she expressed her intention to push for Medicare for All and the Green New Deal if elected.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/23/adelita-grijalva-house-seat-arizona
