News Summary
Arizona is set to conduct a special election on November 4, 2025, to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Representative Raúl Grijalva. Adelita Grijalva, his daughter, will represent Democrats while Republican Daniel Butierez challenges her. This election is significant as the winner will serve the remaining 15 months of Grijalva’s term and could influence party power dynamics in the House. Voter registration heavily favors Democrats in this district, which has seen a shift in political trends recently.
Arizona will host a special election on November 4, 2025, to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Representative Raúl Grijalva. Grijalva passed away in March due to complications from cancer treatment, prompting the need for this special election.
In this election, Adelita Grijalva, the late congressman’s daughter, will represent the Democratic Party, while Republican Daniel Butierez, a small business owner and contractor, will be her opponent. The district, which stretches from Yuma to Tucson along the Mexico border, is known for its strong Democratic presence, holding nearly a two-to-one voter registration advantage over Republicans.
The winner of this election will serve the remaining 15 months of Raúl Grijalva’s term. Adelita Grijalva gained significant support during the primaries, securing more than 60% of the vote in a competitive five-candidate race held in July. She has received endorsements from progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Should she win the special election, Adelita would become Arizona’s first Latina member of Congress.
In her campaign, Adelita Grijalva has made it clear that she intends to oppose President Donald Trump’s agenda, particularly targeting domestic policies like the “Big Ugly Bill.” On the other hand, Daniel Butierez is positioning himself as a candidate for change in a district that has historically leaned Democratic.
Both candidates have committed to supporting a bipartisan discharge petition initiated by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY). This petition calls for a vote to release documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The petition needs a total of 218 signatures to force a vote and has garnered attention lately, currently reaching 217 signatures. The House of Representatives, which is under Republican control with a slim 219-213 majority, has three vacant seats, including this Arizona district.
Apart from this vacancy, there are also special elections needed in Texas’s 18th District and Tennessee’s 7th District due to the deaths and resignations of former Representatives Sylvester Turner and Mark Green respectively. Despite previous support for Trump in Arizona, the district shifted significantly in the 2024 election when Kamala Harris won by a margin of 23 points.
Historically, this district has been under Democratic control for over 20 years. The outcome of the upcoming special election could have significant implications for the GOP’s majority in the House and the handling of the Epstein discharge petition. The House is currently out of session, which may delay the legislative process surrounding this issue, pending the results of the special election.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNN: Arizona Special Election and Epstein Files
- Wikipedia: Special Elections in the United States
- Fox News: Democrats Likely to Chip Away at GOP Majority
- Google Search: Arizona Special Election 2025
- New York Times: Arizona US House Special Election Results
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Congressional Election
- DCourier: What to Expect in Arizona’s Special Congressional Election
- Google News: Arizona Congressional Election
- 270 To Win: Live Results for Arizona Congressional Special Election
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
