For more than two decades, much of Southern Arizona was represented by Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, a liberal stalwart who championed environmental causes, supported immigrant rights and advocated on behalf of indigenous communities. The Democrat was in his 12th term when he died in March at age 77 after suffering complications from his lung cancer treatment.
Voters in Arizona’s 7th District will pick their nominees Tuesday for the Sept. 23 special election for Grijalva’s remaining term.
Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s primary:
Who’s on the Democratic ballot?
The late congressman’s daughter Adelita Grijalva, a former Pima County supervisor, is one of five Democrats competing for the deep-blue district, which stretches along the U.S.-Mexico border and extends into Tucson and the Phoenix area.
The Democratic primary also includes Daniel Hernandez, 35, a former state legislator making an economic pitch to working-class Latino voters, and Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old social media influencer and Gen Z activist who has built her campaign around calls for a fresh political perspective.
Rounding out the field are activist Jose L. Malvido Jr., who is calling for a higher minimum wage and universal health coverage, and retired businessman Patrick Harris Sr., who is proposing a $1 billion cap on individual wealth through establishing a “greed tax.”
What are the key differences between the candidates?
Grijalva, Hernandez and Foxx, the three leading contenders for the Democratic nomination, have pledged to take on the Trump administration and have denounced the president’s immigration crackdown, a key issue in the border district.
But despite finding common ground on many issues, the three have also emphasized their differences. Grijalva has pledged to preserve her father’s progressive legacy while also walking her own path. “Adelita would be the front-runner in this race, even if her last name wasn’t Grijalva,” said Nate Sigal, her spokesman. “That being said, she is embracing who she is, which is a Grijalva, and she is proud of it.”
Hernandez and Foxx have focused on their working-class roots. “I’ve had to work really hard to earn everything that I have,” said Hernandez, who got his start in politics as an aide to former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and was credited with helping to save her life in 2011 after a gunman opened fire at a constituent event outside a Tucson supermarket.
Foxx has framed the contest as a battle for the future of the Democratic Party. “This has become a race about the old way of doing things and a new generation of leadership,” she said.
Who’s backing whom?
Grijalva has the support of Giffords, progressive icons such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, Arizona’s two more moderate Democratic senators. The Working Families Party, which helped power Zohran Mamdani’s win in last month’s Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, and the campaign arms of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the League of Conservation Voters have spent money in support of Grijalva.
Hernandez was endorsed by several labor unions, gun safety advocate Shannon Watts and Reps. Ritchie Torres of New York, Eric Sorensen of Illinois and Norma J. Torres of California. Foxx won the backing of Leaders We Deserve, a group run by former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg, and of actress Busy Philipps, who grew up in the district.
Is there a Republican primary?
Yes, three Republicans are making a bid for the seat: small-business owner Daniel Butierez, restaurant owner Jorge Rivas and businessman Jimmy Rodriguez.
But the winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored in the general election in a district Kamala Harris won by 22 points last fall, according to calculations by The Downballot.
The post What to know about the Arizona special election primary for Grijalva’s seat appeared first on Roll Call.
