Daughter of late Rep. Raul Grijalva running to replace him in Congress

Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of the late Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, announced Monday that she would run for her father’s southern Arizona seat in Congress.

Grijalva died earlier this month at age 77 from complications of lung cancer. The Arizona Democrat had served in the House for 22 years, including time as the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Ms. Grijalva announced her candidacy for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which includes Tuscon and most of the state’s southern border with Mexico, in a video on Monday.

She embraced her father’s legacy as one she wanted to continue.

“I’m the proud daughter of a U.S. congressman, a man who spent his life fighting for justice, equity and dignity for the most vulnerable communities, from working as a vaquero to serving the people in the halls of Congress in just a single generation,” she said. “I know the hopes, the struggles and the strength of our community, because it’s in my DNA.”

Ms. Grijalva said the America that her father fought for and the one that drew her Mexican immigrant grandfather to the country is under threat from President Trump, Elon Musk and “their gang of billionaires.”

“They’re destroying our schools. They’re attacking our most sacred rights. They’re poisoning our environment,” she said. “They’re hurting the most vulnerable in our communities — seniors, veterans, children, immigrants — and no one is safe from their cruel and hateful crusade. But together we can stop them.”

“This is not just a campaign or an election,” Ms. Grijalva said. “This is our chance to fight back.”

She touted her work since 2020 serving on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, spearheading investments in affordable housing and child care. Before that, Ms. Grijalva spent 20 years on the local school board, the Tucson Unified Governing Board, and served for more than 25 years as the director of Pima County Teen Court, a nonprofit Juvenile Court diversion program.

The special election to fill Arizona’s vacant 7th District seat is scheduled for Sept. 23. But before that, Ms. Grijalva faces competition in the July 15 primary from other Democrats, including former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez Jr.

The district is considered safe for Democrats. Grijalva won reelection last year by nearly 27 points over his GOP challenger.