Adelita Grijalva visits Somerton as she runs for House seat
Andrea Turisk
SOMERTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The daughter of U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva is running for the seat her father held before his passing.
Adelita Grijalva is no stranger to public service, but this race marks a new chapter. The candidate says she’s ready to bring her experience to Washington and during her visit in Somerton, she explained why connecting with others across the district is her top priority right now.
Grijalva has been a fixture in Southern Arizona politics for years. Now, she’s aiming to represent South Yuma County in Congress, hoping to honor her father’s legacy while forging a path of her own in a seat she says comes with some big shoes to fill.
Grijalva says, “It’s so important to be that voice that people need to hear from when it comes to issues that are important to all of us like water issues, tribal sovereignty, immigration, our environment.”
Grijalva has spent more than two decades in local government, including her time on the Tucson Unified School Board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors. She says that work has prepared her to take on challenges at the federal level.
“Seeing the federal cuts at the county level and how $400 million were cut. Well, how does that impact up locally? I know that now, and that’s not the information I had before which I why I feel it’s so important fight against federal cuts,” Grijalva expressed.
Grijalva says she plans to make herself readily available to hear the concerns communities have so she can help solve these problems.
“So many things change from week to week, especially in this federal environment that we have to keep in touch. I have to be able to be a good advocate and know what’s happening because if I don’t know what’s happening, I can’t bring the concerns to Congress,” Grijalva shared.
The Special Election Primary is set for July 15 followed by another Special Election in September, where the winner of that race will get the seat.
Until then, candidates will continue to work to earn support across the district.