Voters Cast Ballots in Arizona's 7th Congressional District Special Election

Special Election Underway in Southern Arizona

Voters across southern Arizona are heading to the polls today, September 23, 2025, for a special election to determine the next representative for the 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House. The election aims to fill the vacancy left by the passing of longtime incumbent Representative Raúl Grijalva, who died on March 13, 2025, due to complications from cancer treatment. The district, which stretches from Yuma to Tucson and encompasses a significant portion of Arizona's border with Mexico, is widely considered a safely Democratic stronghold.

Key Candidates and Primary Victories

The general election features a contest between the Democratic and Republican primary winners, alongside third-party candidates. Leading the race are:

• Adelita Grijalva (Democrat): Daughter of the late congressman, Grijalva secured the Democratic nomination in the July 15, 2025, primary with approximately 62% of the vote. She previously served as a Pima County Supervisor and has garnered endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
• Daniel Butierez (Republican): A contractor and small business owner, Butierez won the Republican primary on July 15, 2025, with about 61% of the vote. He previously challenged Raúl Grijalva in the 2024 general election.

Additional Contenders and District Context

Also appearing on the ballot are Eduardo Quintana representing the Green Party and Richard Grayson for the No Labels Party. The 7th Congressional District has a strong Democratic history; the late Raúl Grijalva had represented the area since 2003, and the district has largely elected Democrats since Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. In the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris carried the district with approximately 61% of the vote.

Voting Process and Anticipated Results

Voters had the option of early voting, which commenced on August 27, 2025. On Election Day, 59 Vote Centers are operational in Pima County to facilitate in-person voting. As polls close and ballots are tallied, live results are being reported. The winner of this special election will serve the remainder of the 119th United States Congress term.