Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late southern Arizona congressman Raúl Grijalva, has won the July 15 Democratic primary and is in the driver’s seat to succeed her father in Congress.
The Associated Press called the race late Tuesday evening, with Grijalva garnering 62% of the vote. Arizona’s deep blue 7th Congressional District favors Democrats, which puts Grijalva in prime position to win the special general election scheduled for Sept. 23.
Former Rep. Grijalva died in March at 77, after spending more than two decades in Congress. He is one of three House Democrats who have died while in office this year and left a vacancy in the lower chamber.
His 54-year-old daughter came out on top in Tuesday’s primary, beating a handful of fellow Democrats for the nomination, including top competitors Deja Foxx and Daniel Hernandez.
Foxx, 25, is a Gen Z social media strategist and activist who gained national name recognition campaigning on a promise of generational change. Her bid earned backing from Democrats like David Hogg, activist and former party co-vice chair, who have been outspoken in their desire for major party shifts.
A former state legislator and prior intern to ex-congresswoman Gabby Giffords, 35-year-old Hernandez ran a more moderate campaign against Grijalva and Foxx.
Adelia Grijalva, a former member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, follows in the progressive footsteps of her father, who was known for championing environmental and indigenous causes throughout his time in office.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raul Grijalva’s daughter wins primary in special Arizona election
