Arizonans vote on successor to U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva

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(The Center Square) - Arizonans cast ballots Tuesday in a special election to select the next representative for the state’s 7th Congressional District.

This seat opened after U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, a Democrat, died in March of complications from cancer treatment. The two candidates who are running for this open seat are Democrat Adelita Grijalva, Raúl Grijalva’s daughter, and Republican Daniel Butierez. The district lies along Arizona's border with Mexico and includes parts of Cochise, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties. Parts of the Phoenix and Tucson areas are in the district.

In July, Adelita Grijalva and Butierez won their respective party primaries. Adelita Grijalva received 62% of the Democratic vote, and Butierez got 61% of the vote from Republicans.

This will be the second time Butierez goes up against a member of the Grijalva family. Last year, Raúl Grijalva defeated Butierez by 72,897 votes. 

The winner will serve the rest of Raúl Grijalva’s term. All seats in the House are up for election in 2026.

270toWin, a nonpartisan election site, said the 7th Congressional District is a “deep blue district.” The website noted the Democratic candidate is traditionally considered the favorite.

A Republican has never represented the 7th Congressional District since its creation in 2003. The seat, which is one of three vacancies in the House, will not determine which party controls the chamber, where the GOP has a narrow 219-213 majority. 

According to Federal Election Commission records, Adelita Grijalva has outraised Butierez during this congressional race. She has brought in $1.3 million while he has secured $208,166. 

Last month, the two political candidates participated in a debate put on by the Arizona Media Association and the Local News Foundation. 

The Center Square reported that Adelita Grijalva supported a pathway to citizenship for noncitizens during the debate. She added U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's approach to deportations is inhumane and should not be tolerated. 

Butierez, who also supports immigration reform, said he did not blame ICE.

“The rules are not changing. The laws are being enforced,” he explained. “The ICE agents are doing what the law requires them to do, not what the administration is requiring them to do.”

On another topic, Adelita Grijalva said she did not support the Arizona's school voucher program, calling it a “systematic attack on public education.” Butierez disagreed, stating he supported Arizona expanding the program. 

Regarding foreign policy, Adelita Grijalva advocated for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, while Butierez strongly backed Israel.

Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, according to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by Tuesday.