IN FOCUS - Mar. 21, 2025

Feeling campaign fatigue? Suffering post-election PTSD?

Buckle up. A blockbuster Democratic contest is coming for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.

Governor Katie Hobbs has scheduled a special Primary Election on July 15, followed by a nominal General Election two months later, on Sept. 23. But the real action is in the Democratic Primary for this deepest of blue Arizona districts, represented by progressive Congressman Raúl Grijalva for over two decades until his death a week ago.

Would-be candidates are being careful not to jump into the race too early, giving proper deference to Rep. Grijalva and his grieving family. Expect any formal candidate announcements to wait until after the funeral, March 26. But it will be a sprint of a 100-day-ish race from there, and the rumor mill is already working overtime regarding potential suitors for the seat.

Highest profile among them is Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who issued a statement Tuesday that he is “strongly considering” a run for the seat and “will have more to say in the days ahead.” Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva has long been considered a possible successor to her late father’s seat. Politicos also are eying the Tucson trio of Hernandez siblings - Reps. Consuelo Hernandez and Alma Hernandez, along with former legislator Daniel Hernandez - though Alma has already announced she has no interest in the congressional seat and will run for state Senate instead. Others are no doubt weighing their own chances.

CD-7 hasn’t been meaningfully contested in ages, so the race has the potential to be fascinating. Democratic primaries in safe districts are typically fought and won based on endorsements from labor, environmental and social justice groups. Unlike GOP primaries, which in recent years have mostly been decided by the endorsement of just one man.