PHOENIX — Voters in Arizona's 7th Congressional District cast ballots on Tuesday in special primary elections to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for a vacant U.S. House seat left open by the death of longtime Democratic Representative Raúl Grijalva, setting up a closely watched contest ahead of a Sept. 23 special general election.
The sprawling southern Arizona district stretches from Tucson to Yuma along the U.S.-Mexico border and has long favored Democrats. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly two to one, making the Democratic primary the focal point of the special election campaign, according to election officials and voter registration data.
Five Democrats and three Republicans qualified for the special primary, according to Arizona election authorities. The Democratic field included Adelita Grijalva, a Pima County supervisor and daughter of the late congressman; former state Representative Daniel Hernandez; and activist Deja Foxx, among others. Republicans competing for their party's nomination included Daniel Butierez, Jorge Rivas and Jimmy Rodriguez.
Governor Katie Hobbs called the special election under Arizona law after Grijalva's death, triggering a timetable that required a primary election followed by a special general election later in the year. The Arizona Secretary of State's Office said the winner of each party's nomination would advance to the Sept. 23 election to fill the remainder of the congressional term.
Election officials encouraged voters to cast ballots early or vote in person before polls closed. As with other Arizona elections, unofficial results were expected to be released after voting ended, while additional ballots, including early ballots received on Election Day, would be processed during the canvassing period in accordance with state law.
The vacancy temporarily reduced Democratic representation in the U.S. House, although the outcome of the special election is not expected to alter overall control of the chamber because of the district's strong Democratic voting history. Still, the race has drawn national attention as party leaders and outside groups weighed in on the Democratic contest.
The Arizona Secretary of State's Office said official certification of the primary results would follow completion of the county and statewide canvasses. The nominees will then compete in the Sept. 23 special general election to determine who will represent Arizona's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
