Politics
Democrat Wins Special Election, Delivering Defeat to GOP
By Jake Beardslee · October 2, 2025
Democrat Wins Arizona Special Election After Campaign Against Trump’s Agenda
Democratic Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva has won the special election to represent Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, defeating Republican contractor Daniel Butierez. The seat was left vacant following the death of longtime Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Adelita’s father.Grijalva campaigned on opposing President Donald Trump’s domestic policies, with strong emphasis on health care access and environmental justice. She declared, “In Congress, I commit to fight Trump’s cruel agenda, like the Big Ugly Bill that took away coverage from nearly 383,000 Arizonans and 142,000 children.” Butierez, by contrast, ran as a change candidate focused on border security, aiming to attract independents and moderates in the traditionally Democratic district. PD-US / Wikimedia
Vote Breakdown and Legacy
The Democratic candidate secured 68.95% of the vote, with more than 101,000 ballots cast. Grijalva framed her campaign as a continuation of her father’s work, representing Tucson and surrounding areas. She emphasized her focus on community over corporate interests, saying, “There’s an opportunity for us to try to convince people that who they need to represent is the people that elected them and their community and not billionaires and corporations.” Joel Angel Juarez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Primary Endorsements and Opposition Messaging
Grijalva entered the general election after winning more than 60% in the Democratic primary, bolstered by endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Ahead of his loss, Butierez urged voters, “This is your chance to actually get a Representative who will represent everyone. If you vote we win, if you don’t only the radicals will have representation.” Element5 Digital / Pexels
Impact on the House Balance of Power
The outcome narrows the Republican House majority to 219–214, leaving the GOP with little room for internal defections on key legislation. Krisztian Kormos / Pexels