PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — The death of Democratic Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, a fierce progressive with a two-decade career in Congress, rocked the political world on Thursday.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs must now call a special election within 72 hours of Grijalva’s official vacancy in order to start the process of determining his successor.
The seat, which represents a district spanning southern Arizona from Tucson to the border with Mexico, will remain vacant until a replacement is selected in a special election later this year.
As of Friday morning, no candidate has expressed interest in running on the special election, but eyes to 2026 paint a picture of a possible path forward.
Who to watch for
The Democratic primary in the mostly Hispanic district is likely to be a fierce battle between Grijalva’s allies, a longtime southern Arizona power broker who led an influential bloc of progressive elected officials and a more moderate faction.
Possible contenders include his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and Tucson Major Regina Romero, one of Grijalva’s longtime allies.
Adelita Grijalva remembered her father Thursday as “the smartest person I’ll ever know — a fighter until the end.”
“He loved his family, especially those grandbabies, and this community,” she said on social media. “He as not a perfect person, but had perfect intentions and wanted to do good. It’s been my honor to be Raúl Grijalva’s daughter — a badge I wear with immense pride.”
According to Arizona Secretary of State records, other candidates who have filed a statement of interest include Democrats Andrew Becerra, David Bies, and Abdul Hadi Ghulam Habib.
On the Republican side for the general election, Jorge Rivas, Jimmy Rodriguez and Raul Verdugo have also expressed interest in the seat. However, it is a Democratic stronghold, so it’s highly anticipated to stay blue.
When will the special elections be held?
According to Arizona state law, the special primary election must be held 120 to 133 days after the vacancy. Afterward, the special general election shall be held within 70 and 80 days after the primary.
That means the earliest possible date for the primary election will be in mid-July while the general election should be in late September to early October.
The Associated Press contributed to this report through prior coverage
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