Contenders for Grijalva's Seat
The passing of Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) leaves his 7th Congressional District seat open. Who is looking to fill it?
So far, 13 statements of interest have been filed, eight of which were filed by Republicans, including Daniel Butierez, whom Rep. Grijalva defeated for reelection in 2024.
Three Democrats, David Bies, Patrick Harris Sr., and Stefawna Welch, have also filed. At the same time, a Libertarian, Alan Aversa, and Richard Grayson of the Green Party also appeared on the list.
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However, KJZZ and KGUN9 agree that a major name to watch is Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who has "strongly considered" running for Rep. Grijalva's seat.
As KJZZ noted, Fontes would need to resign from his current position to run for office, which does not end until the 2026 midterm.
"I have long admired Congressman Grijalva. We should all be grateful for his years of service," Fontes' statement on X (formerly Twitter) began, adding, "I am strongly considering a run to represent AZ-07, a place where I was born and raised, served my country in the Marine Corps, and protected democracy. I will have more to say in the days ahead. Right now, we must remember and appreciate the life and legacy of the late Congressman Grijalva."
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Senator Ruben Gallego: I’m demanding answers from the Trump administration. We won’t let Trump take a wrecking ball to public education.
Representative Andy Biggs: Woke activists are occupying judges’ seats across the nation. Congress must pass my Injunctive Authority Clarification Act.
Representative Eli Crane: Three months into the 119th Congress, I'm proud to have passed 2 bills out of the House! Principled and effective leadership is what the people of #AZ02 deserve.
Representative Juan Ciscomani: Wholesale egg prices are now $3.22/dozen, down nearly 50% from $6.55/dozen on January 21. Arizona and the nation are benefiting from @POTUS and @HouseGOP's policies that are lowering the cost of living for everyday Americans.
Representative Abe Hamadeh: Veterans should not have to wonder whether or not the information they provide to a government agency could put them at risk of fraudsters, Rep. Hamadeh's "Standardized Accreditation Information for Veteran Ease" Act will help combat VA Assistance Fraud.
Representative Greg Stanton: President Trump’s illegal actions are being blocked by the courts and now he’s called for impeaching judges when he loses. That should send a chill down everyone's spine.
Representative Yassamin Ansari: As the daughter of Iranian immigrants, I saw firsthand how Trump’s cruel and xenophobic 2017 travel bans hurt families like mine. That's why I led over 30 of my colleagues in standing up to President Trump in opposition to the potential reinstatement of his travel ban.
Governor Katie Hobbs: It was an honor to end my trip by meeting with President Lai and expressing Arizona's deep commitment to growing our relationship with Taiwan, both economically and culturally. TSMC's historic investment demonstrates that distance is no barrier to partnership, and I'm looking forward to all the ways we will build on our efforts to help our people thrive.
State Representative Nick Kupper: To be clear, Gov Hobbs overspent our DDD money creating the current problem for families like mine. Even though she created this problem, we Republicans will ensure that DDD is properly funded but we will not do it with a gun to our heads as the Dems attempted yesterday. The Speaker & leadership team have been working diligently to both protect DDD families & prevent any further harm to our disabled community at the hands of Gov Hobbs & her failing agency directors. If others want to keep playing political games they can go right ahead, but I’m done talking about this issue, I have a family, district & state to take care of.
State Representative Stacey Travers: So proud of the advocates who showed up and who fight every day for their community and their families. Especially honored to be serving with @consueloforaz and all my colleagues at the legislature who are always there to fiercely protect and represent the needs of constituents.
State Representative Justin Wilmeth: My friends @Leo4AzHouse, @TMartinez4AZ and I have started a podcast. And it’s not entirely boring! It’s mildly informative and allegedly hilarious. Check it out and discover why Lent can be such a dangerous part of the session!
Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko: Maricopa County is the 4th largest county in the nation and is growing every day. As your Maricopa County Supervisor, I will ensure we continue to grow high-quality jobs and beautiful and safe neighborhoods in a way that will provide for optimum standards of living.
Who's Looking to Fill Grijalva's Seat?— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich
New CBP 'Home' App Encourages Illegal Immigrants to Leave 'The Easy Way'— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at President Donald Trump’s direction, has released a new Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) ‘Home’ Application.
Schweikert Praises Release of JFK Files— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) issued a statement praising President Donald Trump's decision to release the remaining classified files surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, saying, "This moment symbolizes the long-awaited restoration of the people's trust in the federal government."
Kelly Helps Reintroduce Bill to Ensure Full Benefits for Combat Veterans— By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich— Senator Rick Scott joined a bipartisan effort in the Senate, including Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and 186 bipartisan colleagues in the House of Representatives such as Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to reintroduce the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act to ensure full benefits for veterans.
Trump Brokers Partial Ceasefire With Putin, Sets Up Future Talks— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have brokered a partial ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia and agreed to schedule future negotiations for a full ceasefire.
Schweikert 'Loves' Balanced Budget Amendment, 'But Math is So Difficult Now'— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) spoke at the recent Forum for Fiscal Responsibility about government spending, saying he would "love" a Constitutional amendment for a balanced budget, "but the math is so difficult right now."
Hamadeh Introduces Bill Combating VA Assistance Fraud— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill cracking down on fraudsters posing as Veterans Affairs (VA) assistants.
Trump Blasts Judge for Ordering Return of Deportation Flight— By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich— President Donald Trump (R) has called out U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for being a "radical left lunatic of a judge" who is, according to the President, resisting the national mandate he won in the 2024 election.
Biggs Calls for Passage of Judiciary Bill After Judge Blocks Trump's Deportation of Venezuelan Gang Members— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) called for the passage of his Injunctive Authority Clarification Act on X (formerly Twitter) after a judge blocked President Donald Trump's invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport members of Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua.
Trump Disbands Voice of America, Director Lake Says is is 'Not Salvageable'— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— President Donald Trump recently announced the dismantling of Voice of America (VOA), a move which ally Kari Lake (R) agreed with, saying the organization is "not salvageable" and "a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken."
The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres
