The dust has finally settled in Southern Arizona. Honestly, if you weren't glued to local Tucson news last September, you might have missed the whirlwind that was the AZ CD7 special election. It wasn't just another date on the calendar. It was a seismic shift for a district that hadn't seen a new name on the ballot in over twenty years.
Raúl Grijalva was a fixture. A giant. When he passed away in March 2025 after battling lung cancer, it didn't just leave a vacancy in Washington; it left a massive hole in the political identity of the borderlands.
Why the AZ CD7 Special Election Happened
Special elections are weird. They're fast, they're expensive, and they usually have terrible turnout. This one was triggered because federal law doesn't allow a governor to just appoint a replacement for a U.S. House seat. You've gotta vote. Governor Katie Hobbs set the dates: a primary in July and the big show on September 23, 2025.
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The 7th District is massive. It hugs the Mexico border, stretching from Yuma all the way through Tucson and down to Douglas. It's deep blue, but it’s not a monolith. You’ve got urban activists in Tucson, ranchers in Cochise County, and tribal members on the Tohono O’odham Nation.
The Grijalva Legacy vs. New Blood
Most people thought this would be a coronation for Adelita Grijalva. She’s Raúl’s daughter, a former Pima County Supervisor, and she has the name recognition most politicians would kill for. But the primary wasn't a walk in the park. She faced real pressure from the left and from younger organizers.
Take Deja Foxx, for instance. She’s a Gen Z influencer and activist who actually worked on the Biden-Harris campaign. She didn't win, but she pulled in over 22% of the vote. That’s a signal. It tells us that while the Grijalva name still carries weight, the district is hungry for a conversation about what comes next. Foxx was talking about "social housing" and aggressive climate goals that made the old guard a little nervous.
Then there was Daniel Hernández Jr. You might remember him—he was the intern who helped save Gabby Giffords' life back in 2011. He’s a more moderate, pro-Israel Democrat. He raised a ton of money but ended up in third place. Basically, the voters in AZ CD7 decided they wanted to stick with the progressive path Raúl had blazed, just with a new Grijalva at the helm.
The General Election Matchup
Once the primaries wrapped up, it was Adelita Grijalva vs. Daniel Butierez, the Republican nominee.
Butierez is a contractor and small business owner. He ran a "law and order" campaign, focused heavily on the border. He talked a lot about finishing the wall and supporting ICE agents. In a district that is nearly 2-to-1 Democratic, he was always climbing a steep hill.
The debates were... intense. If you watched the one in late August, you saw the two worlds of Arizona politics collide. Grijalva talked about humanitarian parole and the environmental impact of the border wall. Butierez focused on the fentanyl crisis and "ports of entry" security.
The Results:
- Adelita Grijalva (D): 68.9%
- Daniel Butierez (R): 29.4%
She didn't just win. She crushed it.
What This Means for 2026
Here’s the thing: Adelita Grijalva is currently serving out the remainder of her father's term. That term ends very soon. Because of how the timing works, the AZ CD7 special election was basically a dress rehearsal for the 2026 general election.
She’s already announced she’s running for a full term.
Is anyone going to challenge her? Probably. The filing deadline is April 6, 2026. While the "Solid Democratic" rating from the Cook Political Report makes it a tough seat for a Republican to flip, the real action will likely be in the Democratic primary again.
Surprising Details You Might Have Missed
One thing that didn't get enough national play was Grijalva’s run-in with ICE shortly after she was elected. In December 2025, she was actually pepper-sprayed by an agent during a raid at a Mexican restaurant in Tucson. She was there as a member of Congress to ask questions. The incident went viral locally and solidified her image as a "fighter" for her constituents, much like her father.
It also highlighted the massive tension in this district. You have a representative who is openly critical of federal immigration tactics, representing a border district where those very agents operate every single day.
Actionable Insights for Voters
If you live in AZ CD7, don't think your job is done because the special election is over.
- Check Your Registration: The 2026 primary is August 4th. You need to be registered by July 6th.
- Follow the Money: Adelita Grijalva has already raised over $1.5 million for her 2026 run. Keep an eye on who is funding her and any potential challengers.
- Engage with the Office: Since she’s the incumbent now, you can actually see how she votes on things like the Farm Bill or border funding. Don't just vote for the name; vote for the record.
The special election was a bridge between two eras. We've moved from the "Raúl era" into something new, but the issues—water rights, border security, and healthcare—haven't changed a bit. It’s going to be a long road to November 2026.
Make sure you're ready for the next round. Visit the Arizona Secretary of State website to verify your status. Stay local. Stay informed.
Next Steps for You:
- Check your voter registration status at my.arizona.vote.
- Review the 2026 filing deadlines if you are following specific candidates.
- Monitor upcoming House Natural Resources Committee hearings to see Rep. Grijalva's legislative priorities.