Arizona votes to send its first Latina to Congress

September 24, 2025

Adelita Grijalva has been projected to win the special election for the U.S. House seat previously held by her late father, Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva, making her the first Latina elected to Congress from Arizona. Her victory represents a significant milestone for Latinx political power in Arizona, a battleground state where Latinx voters constitute a quarter of eligible voters and where Latinas vote at higher rates than Latinx voters overall.

Who is affected

Latinx voters in Arizona, who make up 25% of eligible voters
Latinas in Arizona, who represent 1 in 5 women voters and have higher registration and turnout rates
Residents of Arizona's 7th District, where 60% of residents and 52% of voters are Latinx
Young progressives who had supported Deja Foxx, Grijalva's primary challenger
Families who would benefit from universal preschool, one of Grijalva's priorities

What action is being taken

Grijalva is taking office as Arizona's first Latina representative to Congress
Grijalva is positioning herself as a Democratic messenger to the state's Latinx voters
Grijalva is preparing to champion progressive policies on reproductive rights and immigrants' rights
Grijalva is planning to continue her father's legacy of environmental protection work

Why it matters

This marks the first time Arizona has elected a Latina to Congress, where Latinas remain underrepresented
The election represents a milestone for Latinx political power in a crucial battleground state
Grijalva's victory occurs in a district that has recently seen shifts toward the GOP in some counties
Grijalva's election comes at a time when reproductive rights and immigrants' rights are described as "under attack"
Her role as a Democratic messenger to Latinx voters could be key in upcoming elections

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th