Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva Wins Special Primary to Succeed Late Father

Adelita Grijalva, former Pima County supervisor and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, is projected to win the Democratic nomination for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, aiming to succeed her father who passed away in March. Grijalva defeated four challengers, including Gen Z influencer Deja Foxx and former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, in a race that highlighted generational tensions within the Democratic Party. Despite Foxx’s late surge and viral support, Grijalva secured endorsements from a broad spectrum of Democrats, including Senators Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The district, which covers much of southern Arizona and includes Tucson, is heavily Democratic, making Grijalva a strong favorite to win the special election in September against the Republican nominee. Grijalva emphasized her experience and community work, notably creating a $10 million annual fund for free preschool in Pima County. This primary outcome reflects a preference among voters in the district for continuity and experience over more progressive, youthful challengers.