Adelita Grijalva Wins Arizona Special Election, Becomes First Latina from State in Congress

Democrat Adelita Grijalva blew past Republican challenger Daniel Butierez on Tuesday night, pocketing nearly seven‑tenths of the vote in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District special election. The Associated Press called the race within ten minutes of the first returns, cementing her place as the first Latina from Arizona to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Historic Victory and Its Immediate Impact

The seat became vacant after the death of Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who held the district for more than two decades until his passing in March. Adelita, his daughter, stepped into the campaign after resigning from the Pima County Board of Supervisors—a role she’d held since 2020 and where she made history as the first Latina chair. Her win not only continues her father’s legacy but also trims the Republican tally in the House, tightening the already narrow majority.

Celebrations erupted at Tucson’s El Casino Ballroom, where over a hundred supporters gathered amid a festive, upbeat atmosphere. Many attendees wore the campaign’s teal and white colors, waving signs that read “Grijalva 2024” and chanting her name. The event highlighted how deeply rooted her ties are to the community she now represents, spanning six counties across Southern Arizona.

Campaign Trail and Support Network

Grijalva’s campaign was a marathon of grassroots outreach. Over two decades on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board gave her a solid foundation in education policy, while her tenure on the county board sharpened her experience with land use, public safety, and budget oversight. These credentials resonated with voters across a district that includes parts of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.

Her operation drew on a coalition of labor unions, credit unions, and progressive groups. The Working Families Party alone poured $221,000 into the race, funding a barrage of TV and digital ads, sending thousands of text messages, knocking on more than 90,000 doors, and mailing targeted literature to likely voters. Other notable backers included:

• Local credit unions that highlighted her stance on affordable banking.
• Teachers’ unions emphasizing her education background.
• Grassroots organizations mobilizing volunteers for canvassing and phone banking.

These efforts translated into a decisive margin: 69% for Grijalva versus 31% for Butierez. The numbers also reflected strong turnout in traditionally Democratic precincts, where early voting and mail‑in ballots surged.

Looking ahead, Grijalva will serve the remainder of her father’s term—about 15 months—before facing a full‑term election in 2024. Early signals suggest she’ll focus on immigration reform, water security, and protecting public education funding, issues that dominate the district’s political conversation. With her historic win, she also carries the symbolic weight of breaking barriers for Latina representation in Arizona politics, a narrative that could inspire a new generation of candidates.