The race to replace the late Arizona Representative Raúl Grijalva is heating up, with a surprising twist: both leading Democratic candidates are vying to be seen as the ultimate outsider. This isn’t just a typical primary fight; it’s a clash of generations and styles within the party, highlighting a deep desire for change.
Grijalva, a long-serving congressman known for his progressive stances and unwavering support for Bernie Sanders, consistently positioned himself as an outsider. Now, his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, and activist Deja Foxx are both embracing that same image in their bids for his seat. Adelita, with two decades of experience on the Tucson Unified School District board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors, brings a wealth of local knowledge and endorsements from prominent figures like Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Foxx, a younger candidate who worked on Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and has a strong background in advocacy, presents herself as representing a new generation of progressive politics, gaining support from former Vice DNC chair David Hogg.
The contrast between the two candidates is striking. Adelita leverages her experience and family legacy, emphasizing her ability to continue her father’s work. Foxx, on the other hand, focuses on her fresh perspective and commitment to change, arguing that the current approach isn’t working. Early polling data shows a tight race, with Adelita slightly ahead of Foxx, while other candidates like Daniel Hernandez, Jose Malvido Jr., and Patrick Harris Sr. trail significantly.
Political scientist Thomas Volgy from the University of Arizona notes that both candidates operate outside the traditional establishment, making the choice for voters a matter of balancing experience with youth. Their platforms largely align on key issues – opposition to Trump, expansion of Medicare and Medicaid, investment in housing, and raising the Social Security payroll tax cap. However, the race has taken a sharp turn with the emergence of a pro-Foxx committee spending heavily on negative advertising against Adelita, including accusations about banning critics from meetings. Volgy clarifies that the incident involved a persistent individual making inappropriate accusations at school board meetings, leading Adelita, as chair, to intervene.
The attacks have become increasingly personal, with both candidates addressing criticisms about their backgrounds. Adelita pushes back against being labeled a ‘legacy candidate,’ while Foxx counters concerns about her age and lack of traditional political experience. The influx of negative campaigning, unusual in this district, could significantly impact the outcome of the July 15th primary and the subsequent special election in September. Ultimately, this race reflects a broader tension within the Democratic party: a struggle between established power and a yearning for fresh, outsider leadership.
