Hernández, Grijalva, Other Dems Clash over CD7 Vision

In a spirited debate hosted by Arizona PBS on May 27, 2025, five Democratic candidates vying to succeed the late Congressman Raúl Grijalva in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District offered contrasting visions for the future of one of the state’s most reliably blue strongholds. The candidates—Adelita Grijalva, Daniel Hernández Jr., Deja Foxx, Patrick Harris Sr., and José Malvido Jr.—tackled key issues such as economic development, immigration, housing, and the future direction of the Democratic Party.

Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Congressman and former Pima County Supervisor, positioned herself as the natural heir to her father’s progressive legacy. “The values of southern Arizona are progressive, so I don’t think you can be too progressive when you’re on the right side of history,” she said. Grijalva emphasized her commitment to justice and equity, declaring she would continue “fighting for those who don’t have a voice.” She also touted endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and is currently considered to be the frontrunner.

Former state legislator Daniel Hernández Jr. presented himself as a pragmatic fighter who blends lived experience with legislative chops. “People are sick and tired of the fighting. They want to know what you’re actually going to do to solve problems,” he said. A former school board president and widely recognized for helping save Congresswoman Gabby Giffords’ life in 2011, Hernández said he has knocked on hundreds of doors in the district and is ready to “fight back against MAGA and Trump.”

Seated directly beside Adelita Grijalva, Daniel Hernández Jr. didn’t hesitate to go on the offensive. “She tried to raise taxes just a couple of weeks ago,” he charged, using the moment to highlight what he described as the problem of “out-of-touch politicians”—a theme he returned to throughout the debate. Hernández noted that the measure failed by a wide margin.

Grijalva fired back, dismissing Hernández as “no progressive,” and pointed to a ranking by Progress Arizona that labeled him one of the most conservative Democrats in the state legislature.

At just 25 years old, Deja Foxx differentiated herself as both the youngest and most media-savvy candidate. I don’t look like the other candidates,” she said. Reproductive rights activist who once worked for Vice President Kamala Harris, Foxx used the debate to share her personal story of growing up with a single mom and facing homelessness. “We need more than a politician—you deserve a fighter,” she told viewers, highlighting her focus on affordable housing and climate action.

Patrick Harris Sr., a businessman and former nonprofit CEO, said he was a high school dropout who started his career at Burger King and eventually earned an MBA. Now retired, Harris said he’s re-entering public life to push a bold economic plan: capping personal wealth at $1 billion and requiring excess wealth to be reinvested into housing, healthcare, education, and environmental solutions. “I’ve raised six kids. I’ve built from the ground up. Now I’m doing this for my community,” he said.

Indigenous scholar José Malvido Jr. focused on their deep community ties. Harris stressed economic development and job creation, while Malvido highlighted Indigenous rights and environmental protection. He leaned into his lived experiences of facing eminent domain. He said he is fed up with Congress and needs legislation to help the people.

While the candidates shared a unified stance in opposing former President Donald Trump’s policies—particularly on immigration and border enforcement—what was notably absent from the debate were questions about the current conditions in CD7 and how they deteriorated. The moderator largely avoided discussing the district’s persistent challenges or the role that the late Congressman Grijalva’s long tenure may have played in shaping them.

The Democratic primary election is scheduled for July 15, 2025, with the general election set for September 23, 2025. Arizona’s 7th Congressional District encompasses parts of southern Arizona, including areas of Yuma, Tucson, and a small part of the metro Phoenix region, covering a significant portion of the state’s border with Mexico