Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Democrat Adelita Grijalva has won the special election to fill the U.S. House seat once held by her late father, longtime Rep. Raúl Grijalva, NBC News projected Tuesday night.
Grijalva, a former Pima County supervisor and Tucson school board member, defeated Republican Daniel Butierez in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which covers Tucson and surrounding communities. She will serve out the remaining 15 months of her father’s term after his death in March from cancer complications.
Her victory narrows Republicans’ majority to 219–214, raising the stakes for looming showdowns in Congress, including a battle over government funding and a bipartisan effort to force the disclosure of more records related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Following in Her Father’s Footsteps
Raúl Grijalva served 11 terms in Congress, co-chaired the Congressional Progressive Caucus from 2009 to 2019, and chaired the House Natural Resources Committee for four years. His daughter, who will also join the Progressive Caucus, said she hopes to honor his legacy while forging her own path.
“My dad left huge shoes to fill, but I stand on my own two feet,” Adelita Grijalva said in July.
She secured endorsements from both of Arizona’s Democratic senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, as well as national progressives including Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., the youngest member of Congress and co-chair of the caucus, hailed Grijalva as a “progressive champion” fighting for working families, the environment, and gun violence prevention.
Primary Contest Highlighted Generational Debate
Grijalva’s July primary victory over Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old activist, and former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez highlighted a generational divide within the Democratic Party. Foxx argued Democrats had “lost ground with young people” and touted her social media following.
“Respectfully, I’m not old,” Grijalva, 54, responded in an interview. “It’s frustrating to me how experience is being seen as a negative.”
Epstein Files Vote Could Be Decided by Grijalva
Her win may also prove pivotal for Democrats’ effort to force a House vote on releasing more Epstein investigation files. A discharge petition has already gained 217 signatures — all 213 Democrats plus four Republicans. Grijalva’s arrival could push the effort over the required 218.
Remaining Vacancies
Grijalva’s win reduces the number of vacant House seats to two. Texas’ 18th Congressional District, encompassing Houston, will hold a special election Nov. 4 following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner. Tennessee’s 7th District will also fill its seat later this year after Republican Mark Green resigned in June to enter the private sector.
