Arizona Special Election: Social Media Star Deja Foxx Loses To Adelita Grijalva
Forbes3 days
Grijalva Wins Arizona Democratic Primary for Father's Seat
Above: Democratic U.S. congressional candidate Adelita Grijalva speaks July 15, 2025. Image copyright: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Grijalva won based on her leadership and proven progressive credentials rather than flashy social media campaigns. Her decades of local government service and broad coalition of endorsements from established Democratic leaders demonstrated that voters value substance over style. This result shows that building traditional political coalitions remains more effective than viral content creation.
Establishment-critical narrative
This outcome reveals the Democratic establishment's resistance to generational change and fresh voices that could energize younger voters. Foxx's strong showing, despite limited resources, proves there's an appetite for new leadership beyond political dynasties. The party's reliance on familiar names and insider endorsements may cost it the enthusiasm needed to counter Republican gains.