Arizona Republican Primary Results

On Tuesday night, Arizona Republicans selected Daniel Butierrez, a contractor and small business owner, as their nominee for the special primary election to represent the 7th Congressional District. This district, which stretches along the US-Mexico border, has seen all three Republican candidates emphasize border security as a key issue in their campaigns, aligning with former President Donald Trump’s strict stance on illegal immigration.

Butierrez will face Adelita Grijalva, who won the Democratic primary. She is running to succeed her late father, Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, who passed away in March due to complications related to lung cancer. Grijalva had a long tenure in the House, serving Arizona for over two decades and becoming one of the longest-serving representatives in the state.

There are growing concerns among Democrats regarding border issues, as evidenced by a recent report highlighting serious problems at the border. Notably, Grijalva’s passing has made the Democratic primary less competitive, especially since his daughter had previously garnered support from prominent party figures like Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Deja Foxx, a social media influencer and progressive activist, was also in the running for the Democratic nomination. She gained traction with backing from notable leaders, including a super PAC led by David Hogg. This year has seen some internal disputes among Democrats, especially after the former DNC vice-chairman pledged to spend $20 million to support incumbent Democrats in the historically Democratic district.

Other candidates in the Democratic race included former Arizona representative Daniel Hernandez, businessman Patrick Harris Sr., and scholar Jose Malvid Jr., all vying for recognition within the party.

The district, considered reliably blue and covering areas like Tucson, Yuma, and Nogales, presents a challenging landscape for Butierrez as he heads into the special election this September. Grijalva had a significant lead in his reelection bid, winning by as much as 27 points in 2024, even when Trump performed favorably across Arizona.

Butierrez, in his previous run for Grijalva’s seat as a Republican candidate, received around 37% of the vote. Jorge Rivas, who operates a restaurant in Tucson, will also compete in the Republican primary and has previously gained attention for his unique public persona, including wearing a notable “Latin Love Trump” cowboy hat at a rally.

Lastly, Jimmy Rodriguez, another Republican candidate, emphasizes his mission to secure borders, strengthen the economy, and support families within the district.