As reported by Decise Desk HQ, Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and a former Pima County supervisor, is set to secure the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.
In the Democratic primary, she successfully overcame four other contenders, taking over the district her father represented until his passing in March, which led to a special election for his replacement.
This district covers a significant portion of the state’s southern border and includes areas of Tucson.
Among the more notable challengers was Daniel Hernandez, a previous state lawmaker recognized for saving former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) during the 2011 shooting incident.
The special primary in Arizona has captured public interest, partly due to Grijalva’s candidacy, but also as it highlights ongoing generational tensions within the party.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old candidate named FOXX had gained traction leading up to the primary, leading some to ponder whether he might pull off a surprise similar to the recent New York City mayoral primary.
In contrast to Cuomo’s leadership, Adelita Grijalva has garnered support not just from centrist figures like Senators Kelly and Gallego, but also from progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
Grijalva emphasized her community involvement in the lead-up to the race, stating, “When I say I’m a kindergarten advocate, I’m not just saying it for appearances. I was instrumental in establishing a system in Pima County that allocates $10 million each year for free kindergartens,” referencing her work with the Pima Early Education Program Scholarship.
Polls indicate that she is currently a strong favorite, having secured 22 points in November, as she heads into the special general election scheduled for September 23rd.
