Bullets Fly at Daniel Hernandez’s Campaign Office, Striking Staffer’s Car

A shooting incident occurred outside the Tucson campaign headquarters of congressional candidate Daniel Hernandez on Thursday afternoon, alarming both his family and campaign staff. The Tucson Police Department reported that officers responded to a call around 5:15 p.m. regarding potential vandalism at Hernandez’s home, which also functions as his campaign base. A bullet struck a staff member’s car, and shell casings were discovered at the scene. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the investigation is ongoing with no arrests made.

Hernandez, a Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 7th Congressional district special election, described the event as “deeply unsettling.” He condemned this latest episode as yet another threat against his political journey. “As a gun violence survivor, I know this fear all too well,” he stated. “Our family, our staff, and our supporters deserve to feel safe. Violence and intimidation have no place in our politics. We will not be deterred, and we will share more information as it becomes available.”

Since being elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2017, Hernandez has actively championed causes such as LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, and gun safety, often alongside his sisters, who are also state representatives.

The special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional district is approaching, with the voter registration deadline set for June 16 and early voting starting June 18. Hernandez is competing against a crowded field for the Democratic nomination. Notably, more than double the percentage of voters in the district typically support Democratic candidates compared to Republicans.

Hernandez is seen as a key player in the race, facing notable challenger Adelita Grijalva, who has secured endorsements from influential figures, including U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly. Grijalva aims to uphold her late father Raúl Grijalva’s legacy, who served the district for over two decades before his passing in April.

Adelita Grijalva shared her reaction on social media, expressing her opposition to gun violence and relief that no one was injured. “My thoughts are with the Hernandez family and campaign team tonight,” she wrote. “We deserve safe communities free from gun violence.”

Gun violence remains a central aspect of Hernandez’s platform. He previously interned for U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and was credited with playing a role in saving her life during her 2011 shooting. This pivotal moment shaped his dedication to gun safety advocacy, leading him to serve as the state director for Everytown for Gun Safety from 2012 to 2014, where he worked on implementing stricter gun regulations in Arizona.