Democrat Arizona Secretary Adrian Fonz could run for the seat of Congressional Rep. Raul Grajalva after Grijalva passed away last week.
This decision could lead to a major shaking in state politics. Grijalva, a Democrat, has been in custody since 2003 until his death related to lung cancer in 1977 earlier this month.
“I have long praised Rep. Grijarva. We should all be grateful for his years of service.” said in a statement Tuesday.
Democratically in charge. Raul Griarba died at 77
The Arizona Secretary will be sending Fonte at an event held in Tucson, Arizona on April 12, 2024. (Reuters/Rebecca Noble)
“On behalf of the AZ-07, where I was born and raised, I am strongly conscious of serving my country with the Marines and protecting democracy.
“Now we must remember and thank the life and legacy of the late Congressman Griarba.”
As part of the state's “resignation to resignation” law, Fonte must leave his role, and Democratic government's Katie Hobbs will need to appoint his replacement.
The next regular election for the Secretary of State will be in 2026. When the governor leaves the state, the Secretary of State becomes the representative governor. If the governor resigns, the Secretary of State will rise to governor.
This was most prominent when former Democratic government official Janet Napolitano stepped down to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama administration, resulting in Republican Jan Brewer taking over. The Lieutenant Governor's office was created in 2027, which will then line up the Lieutenant Governor for the Governor.
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D-Ariz is a ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. Raul Grijalva of the House of Representatives will release a closing statement at the 2020 House hearing. (Bonnie Cash Pool/Getty Images)
The move is a public pivot away from previous reports that Fonte was pondering his major bid for Hobbs in the 2026 election, and is expected to become one of the most competitive governor races in the country.
Grillarva's daughter, Pima County manager Adelita Grillarva, said she might jump into the race too, but she will wait until after her father's funeral before announcing the decision.
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Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will make a state speech at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on January 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
“Many people have asked if they would consider running to continue their father's legacy. Between tears and embraces, my family and I are dealing with our deep losses and our community, our state and our nation,” she said in a statement.
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The special primary election for the seats will be on July 15th, and the general election will be on September 23rd. Grillarva won the November election with more than 63% of the vote.
Regarding other Democratic candidates on the ground, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and state legislator Alma Hernandez have chosen not to compete in the special election. Geographically, the majority of the districts fall along the tropical borders of Arizona. This has become a levee point in the country in recent years due to the immigration and drug crisis.
