Democrat Adelita Grijalva won the special election for Arizona's 7th Congressional District this week, taking over the seat her late father held for more than 20 years.
The former Pima County Supervisor defeated Republican businessman Daniel Butierez to represent the large district that runs from Yuma to Tucson along most of Arizona's border with Mexico. Her victory keeps the seat in Democratic hands and continues the Grijalva family's long history in Arizona politics.
Adelita Grijalva will serve the final 15 months of what would have been her father's 12th term in Congress since the passing of Raúl Grijalva in March.
Strong Democracy
The win was expected in this heavily Democratic district. Democrats have nearly twice as many registered voters as Republicans. Most of the district has been represented by Democrats since Arizona became a state in 1912.
Grijalva had recently won the Democratic primary in July after her father's death. She brought years of experience from serving on local boards and as a Pima County Supervisor. Her background with local government and border issues helped position her as the natural choice to continue her family's work.
Daniel Butierez was making his second run for the seat after losing to Raul Grijalva in 2024. In that race, he managed to get more than one-third of the votes in this mostly Hispanic district. He hoped to attract more Democratic voters this time, but the district's strong Democratic lead made winning very difficult.
AZ Recognition
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs congratulated the victor, stating that she looks forward to working with Grijalva "as she fights and delivers for Southern Arizona families in Washington."
The 7th District covers parts of Tucson and most of Arizona's 370-mile border with Mexico. It also reaches into Maricopa County's West Valley, including parts of Tolleson, Litchfield Park, Avondale, and Goodyear.
As the new congresswoman prepares to take office, she faces challenges, including border security issues, economic problems in rural areas, and serving the diverse needs of communities across the large district. Her father was known as one of the most liberal members of Congress and a strong advocate for immigrant rights.
“Thank you, #AZ07. We made history — juntos. Now, let’s get to work!” Grijalva shared on social media.
