Arizona Special Primaries Set for U.S. House Seat

Categories: Arizona Breaking NewsArizona State News

Voters actively participating at a polling station in Arizona during the special primaries.

News Summary

Arizona will hold special primaries on July 15, 2025, to fill the vacant U.S. House seat left by Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s passing. Eight candidates are competing, with the Democratic primary featuring notable figures like Adelita Grijalva and Daniel Hernandez Jr. The primary results will influence a special general election scheduled for September 23, 2025. With a predominantly Democratic voter base, the elections are expected to see significant interest and competitive races, especially amid fundraising efforts and voter registration deadlines.

Arizona is set to hold special primaries on July 15, 2025, to fill the vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the passing of Rep. Raúl Grijalva in March due to complications from cancer treatment. Eight candidates are vying for the opportunity to represent Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which has a predominantly Democratic voter base.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face off against the winning candidate from the Republican primary in a special general election scheduled for September 23, 2025. The passing of Grijalva has prompted a heightened interest in the electoral race, although the seat’s vacancy will not alter the overall control of the U.S. House, as it is one of three open congressional seats in predominantly Democratic areas.

In the Democratic primary, there are five notable candidates:

Adelita Grijalva, the late congressman’s daughter, has gained significant support from key Democratic figures, including U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, along with progressive leaders such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Daniel Hernandez Jr., a former state representative, brings experience as an intern for Gabby Giffords following her assassination attempt in 2011.
Deja Foxx, at just 25 years old, is a social media influencer known for her advocacy on reproductive rights.
Jose Malvido Jr., an indigenous activist and scholar, is also in the race.
Patrick Harris Sr., a former healthcare executive, rounds out the Democratic contenders.

Three candidates are competing for the Republican nomination:

Daniel Butierez, a contractor and small business owner, previously garnered 37% of votes against Grijalva in the 2024 election.
Jorge Rivas, a restaurant owner and former gubernatorial candidate, adds to the Republican slate.
Jimmy Rodriguez, a general contractor, has also thrown his hat in the ring, having previously run for Congress in Vermont.

Raising funds is an essential aspect of any campaign, and currently, Daniel Hernandez leads the field with an impressive $981,000 in funding. However, Adelita Grijalva maintains a strong position with the most cash on hand, which could be critical for her campaign as the primaries approach.

The 7th Congressional District is home to nearly 440,000 registered voters, with approximately 175,000 identifying as Democrats, 92,000 as Republicans, and around 165,000 as independents, signifying a considerable Democratic advantage. The polls for the special primary will close at 7 p.m. local time on July 15, 2025, with initial results expected to be available after 11 p.m. ET.

Voter registration for the special primary closed on June 16, 2025; however, registration for the subsequent special general election will remain open until August 25, 2025. Early voting for the general election is scheduled to commence on August 27, 2025. It is crucial that all voters reside within the 7th Congressional District to participate, and independents can opt to vote in either party’s primary.

Automatic machine recounts will be triggered if the winning margin falls within 0.5% in the primaries, reflecting the competitive nature of the races. The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office is responsible for overseeing the elections, and voters are encouraged to check with their County Recorder for specific information related to ballots and polling locations.

Historically, turnout in the district has been low for both Democratic and Republican primaries, with only 12% and 5% participation rates respectively in the 2024 elections. Voters are reminded that the deadline to request early ballots for the special primary has passed, adding a sense of urgency as the primary approaches.