Adelita Grijalva Wins AZ-7, Becomes First Arizona Latina

Adelita Grijalva won the special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District in a landslide and will serve the remainder of her father Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s term. She is the daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva and becomes the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. Her victory narrows the Republican majority in the U.S. House and could provide the pivotal vote Democrats and some Republicans need to advance a discharge petition led by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna to force a floor vote on releasing unclassified Jeffrey Epstein files; Grijalva has indicated she will sign that petition. Grijalva campaigned as a progressive on affordable housing, expanded welfare and immigrant and reproductive rights and said she plans to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Her swearing‑in awaits official certification and House procedures, and upcoming special elections could still alter the chamber’s balance in the months ahead.