Arizona Media Association Unveils Upcoming Debates for Congressional District 7 Special Election

PHOENIX – The Arizona Media Association has partnered with the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, RIESTER, and AZPM in Tucson to host a series of statewide debates for the upcoming Arizona Congressional District 7 Special Election. This election, called by Governor Katie Hobbs, will fill the seat vacated by Representative Raúl Grijalva, who recently passed away.

The primary election is set for July 15, 2025, followed by the general election on September 23, 2025.

As part of their effort to inform voters and boost civic engagement, three debates will take place:

Republican Primary Debate – Monday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Democratic Primary Debate – Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m.

General Election Debate – Scheduled for late August, with the exact date to be announced.

All debates will be broadcast commercial-free from 6:00 p.m. to 6:56 p.m. They will be available free of charge for live distribution by all Arizona media outlets, including TV, radio, print, and digital platforms. The debates will be presented in both English and Spanish, and will feature on-screen ASL interpretation. Local news organizations will have the opportunity to cover the events in person.

To ensure inclusivity, the Arizona Media Association has set a participation rule for the General Election Debate. Candidates must secure at least 1% of the total ballots cast in the CD7 primary election to qualify.

The Arizona Media Association remains dedicated to enhancing the accessibility and engagement of political debates. As plans for the 2026 debate cycles begin, the organization looks forward to future collaborations aimed at improving voter education.

For press inquiries regarding the debates, contact Jessica Quesada at jessica@azmedia.org.