Voters in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District chose Adelita Grijalva to fill the congressional seat left vacant by the death of her father, longtime Democrat Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Despite its significance, the race received surprisingly little national or even local media attention.

The contest pitted Grijalva, a former Pima County supervisor and the daughter of one of the House’s most recognizable progressive voices, against Republican businessman Daniel Butierez and Green Party candidate Eduardo Quintana. As expected in this deep-blue district, Grijalva won comfortably. For a race that represents both the creation of a political dynasty and a potential milestone for Arizona, its subdued coverage stands out. Stories were primarily confined to wire pieces and scattered local reports.

“This has been treated almost like a formality,” said one Tucson political observer, noting how little visibility the election had compared to Arizona’s usual political spotlight.

Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March after serving for more than two decades, was known for his progressive stances on immigration, public lands, and healthcare. His daughter campaigned on carrying forward that legacy, promising to continue championing immigrant rights, healthcare access, and reform efforts in Washington. She also expressed a strong anti-Trump message.

Butierez, meanwhile, tried to focus his campaign on border security and public safety, but analysts agreed his chances were slim in a district designed to favor Democrats.

While the outcome won’t change control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Republican majority narrowed yet again. More concerning for those on the right is that  Grijalva adds one more voice to the Squad.

Observers suggest that the predictability of the race may have discouraged media outlets from dedicating much attention. Yet the absence of robust coverage left many voters in CD7 largely unaware that a special election was even taking place today.

Adding to the low visibility, the AZGOP posted just a single reminder about the election on social media yesterday. The message urged participation but never mentioned the Republican candidate, Daniel Butierez, by name. It’s unclear how much effort, if any, the state party dedicated to a ground game in the contest.