Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of late Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, has achieved a significant milestone by winning the Democratic primary for the congressional seat her father represented in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. The 54-year-old former Pima County Supervisor triumphed over several contenders, including social media influencer Deja Foxx, in a race that has become a barometer for the Democratic Party’s internal dynamics. With backing from prominent Democrats such as Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, as well as progressive icons like Bernie Sanders, Grijalva’s victory underscores the party’s establishment influence, despite the presence of younger, more progressive voices like Foxx.
Foxx, a 25-year-old activist who gained national attention for confronting Arizona Senator Jeff Flake on reproductive rights, had initially drawn support from gun-control advocate David Hogg. Hogg, who stepped down from his role as a Democratic National Committee vice chair, had campaigned with Foxx, predicting she would make history in Southwest Arizona. However, her campaign did not translate into victory, highlighting the challenges faced by progressive outsider candidates in consolidating support. Meanwhile, the broader contest reflects the Democratic Party’s struggle to balance its traditional establishment and more radical progressive wings, as well as generational divides within the party.
Other candidates, including former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, who was instrumental in saving the life of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, and Indigenous activist Jose Malvido Jr., also vied for the nomination. The race, which saw over $2 million in ad spending, including contributions from outside groups, underscores the intensity of the competition. With her primary victory solidified, Adelita Grijalva is now positioned as the frontrunner for the September 23 special election, which will fill the remaining 15 months of her father’s term, which ended in March due to his death from cancer-related complications.