Adelita Grijalva Aims for Southern Arizona’s Congressional Seat in Honor of Late Father

Adelita Grijalva has officially entered the race for Congress, aiming to carry forward the legacy of her late father, Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March. With over two decades of leadership in Southern Arizona, she believes her community deserves strong representation.

Nevada states, “This community, Southern Arizona, deserves the bold leadership that they’ve had with my dad for the last 22 years.” As a Democratic candidate, she emphasizes the necessity of standing firm against extremist ideologies.

In the upcoming July 15 Democratic primary for the special Congressional District 7 election, Grijalva will compete against four Democratic hopefuls: former state lawmaker Daniel Hernandez, Gen Z activist Deja Foxx, social worker Jose Malvido, and retired businessman Patrick Harris.

Raúl Grijalva’s background shaped a significant part of Adelita’s life. Growing up on Canoa Ranch, he inspired her to foster community connections rather than thrust her into the political spotlight. Despite having no political aspirations initially, her experiences in the nonprofit sector ignited her passion for public service.

She started as an administrator at Pima County Teen Court, helping juveniles navigate the justice system. Observing that many of these youth came from Tucson Unified School District, she decided to run for the school board in 2002, where her father once served.

Following the death of Richard Elias in 2020, she took a seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors. However, she chose to resign just months into her second term to focus on her congressional campaign.

While proud of her father’s legacy, she asserts her approach will differ. “The values that we bring are the same, but how we deal with it is different,” she stated, highlighting her unique perspective on current issues.

Grijalva is currently leading the pack in endorsements, receiving support from both Arizona U.S. Senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, alongside former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Kelly lauded her commitment to the working-class struggles of Southern Arizonans.

Endorsements from notable figures extend to progressive leaders such as Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who commended her grassroots approach to change. This widespread backing underscores her dedication to tackling the pressing issues in her community.

Her list of supporters includes former U.S. Representatives Ron Barber and Ann Kirkpatrick, as well as Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. This broad coalition extends beyond Pima County, reflecting her commitment to address regional concerns.

Among her supporters are various Latino-rights groups and multiple unions, illustrating her campaign’s focus on inclusivity and progressive values. “Our movement draws people from all walks of life,” Grijalva noted, emphasizing the diverse coalition backing her vision.

With early voting already in progress for the July 15 primary, the outcome will largely shape the race for the September 23 general election. District demographics reveal that 40 percent of registered voters are Democrats, suggesting a competitive landscape ahead.