🎭 Dynasties Clash: The Grijalvas vs. The Hernandi in Arizona Politics
Discover how Daniel Hernandez, known for his bravery, is stepping into the political arena of Arizona's CD7 against prominent political families.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📍 In Arizona's Congressional District 7, there's an important election 🌟 because a big leader is stepping down. 🏛️ Daniel Hernandez, who once saved a politician during a tragic event, is now running for office. 🗳️ This election is not just about choosing a person but deciding who will speak for the community on issues like healthcare 🏥, education 📚, and the environment 🌿. The results will help shape how the district deals with challenges, especially with the current political climate. 🌐
🗝️ Takeaways
🗳️ Daniel Hernandez is a prominent figure running for the CD7 seat against strong political families.
💡 This election is about deciding representation on critical issues like healthcare and education.
🌿 The outcome could influence how CD7 tackles future challenges amidst national political tensions.
🤝 Voter turnout is crucial; your vote carries impactful weight in this special election.
📅 Timeline is set: Candidate filing by April 2025, with primary and general elections in July and September.
The Political Chess Match in CD7: Daniel Hernandez Makes His Move While Dynastic Politics Loom
"En política, no hay vacíos de poder. Solo espacios que alguien más llenará si tú no lo haces." (In politics, there are no power vacuums. Only spaces someone else will fill if you don't.)
The Race to Replace a Legend Begins
¡Qué tiempos tan interesantes, mi gente! Just when we thought Arizona politics couldn't get more dramatic, the universe decided to shuffle the deck with cosmic force. The passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva has not only left a gaping void in progressive leadership. Still, it has also triggered a Special Election scramble that's revealing the true colors of our political landscape faster than prickly pear fruit stains a white shirt.
While the community still mourns the loss of a titan who championed our causes for decades, the political machinery grinds on with the relentless precision of border patrol surveillance drones. And now, stepping into the spotlight with calculated timing, comes Daniel Hernandez—former state legislator, Giffords hero, and a political figure whose complicated relationship with progressive politics deserves our close attention.
Meanwhile, Adelita Grijalva, the Congressman's daughter and current Pima County Supervisor, maintains the public position that she'll announce her decision after her father's funeral.
But let's be real, ¿a quién cree que está engañando? Her media appearances, statements at the Bernie Sanders/AOC rally last Saturday, and careful phrasing about "carrying on her father's legacy" telegraph her intentions with all the subtlety of a neon billboard in the desert night.
Adelita's political calculations become transparent as others, like Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, announce they won't run. The choreography of this succession dance has been years in the making.
But today, let's talk about the first mover in this political chess match: Daniel Hernandez.
Who Is Daniel Hernandez?
If you're new to Southern Arizona politics or your memory needs refreshing, here's what you should know about the first major candidate to declare for CD7:
The Hero's Origin Story
Hernandez first captured public attention at age 20 when tragedy struck our community. On January 8, 2011, as a congressional intern in his first week, he helped save the life of then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot in the head during a "Congress on Your Corner" event that left six dead and 13 wounded. His quick thinking—applying pressure to Giffords' wound until paramedics arrived—thrust him into the national spotlight.
He later chronicled this experience in his book, "They Call Me Hero: A Memoir of My Life," which also detailed his upbringing in a working-class family on Tucson's South Side.
Political Career Path
Hernandez's political resume includes:
Two terms on the Sunnyside School District Governing Board (elected in 2011)
Three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives (first elected in 2016)
Congressional run in 2022 for Southern Arizona's District 6, where he lost the Democratic primary to Kirsten Engel (59% to his 35%)
At 26, he was the youngest member of the Arizona Legislature when he was first elected. As he likes to point out, "I was gay and I was Latino, and yet I was able to fight for our values and actually get results."
He was one of the founding members of the legislature's LGBTQ Caucus and advocated for legislation banning discrimination against LGBTQ people in the workplace.
The First Mover's Advantage
Hernandez's preemptive pounce positions him as the first heavyweight contender in a field that could soon become crowded. Hernandez, 35, is the first candidate with significant name recognition to announce plans to run for the seat. Meanwhile, political dynastic possibilities loom large—Raúl Grijalva's daughter, Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, said she would announce any decision to run for Congress following her father's funeral.
When questioned about his timing, Hernandez didn't mince words: "Our country right now is in a crisis moment, and unfortunately, the election is July 15," Hernandez said. "There's really an urgency for us to have a member of Congress."
The Hernandez Political Family
Politics runs in the Hernandez family. His sisters, Alma and Consuelo Hernandez, currently serve in the Arizona House of Representatives. The Hernandez siblings and their allies have long been political opponents of Grijalva and his large group of elected allies—a fact that adds another layer of intrigue to this race.
All three Hernandez siblings are Jewish and have faced criticism from other Democrats because of their support for Israel, creating another fault line in a Democratic party already fractured by the Israel-Palestine conflict.
However, as home to Raytheon Missiles, Tucson’s largest employer, County Supervisor Adelita has not been, nor will be, an advocate for Palestinian peoples, nor will she express vocal opposition to Israel's use of Raytheon Missiles in Gaza.
The war in Gaza is not an issue that will separate the two.
Policy Positions and Critiques
Interestingly, Hernandez positions himself as a critic of his own party, arguing Democrats have lost touch with voters:
"We spend a lot of time as Democrats, telling people what they care about instead of listening to what their needs are. And the other thing is, we don't actually talk to them about how these things matter to them directly."
He points to the recent failed Tucson sales tax proposal (Prop 414) as an example of Democratic tone-deafness:
"This sales tax proposal in Tucson was absolutely bonkers. The November election was very clear. Cost of living and affordability was one of the biggest concerns voters had in November. And yet, what were we doing here at the local level? Trying to raise sales taxes."
His key priorities include:
Fighting proposed Trump tariffs on Mexican imports (which would affect produce prices)
Expanding affordable housing through federal investment
Protecting healthcare accessibility, particularly Medicare and Medicaid
Keeping the Department of Education from being dismantled
Reading Between the Political Lines
What Hernandez represents in this race is fascinating—he's positioning himself as both an insider (with legislative experience) and an outsider (critical of the Democratic establishment). His willingness to critique his own party might appeal to voters frustrated with politics as usual.
Let's be honest: CD7 is a Democratic stronghold. Forty percent of voters are registered Democrats, 21 percent are registered Republicans, and 39 percent are independents.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary on July 15 will almost certainly win the general election on September 23.
The “Hernandi” political clan has maintained an interesting position within Arizona's Democratic landscape—progressives on social issues but sometimes willing to break with party leadership and work across the aisle on fiscal matters. This has created tension with the Grijalva wing of the party, which has dominated Southern Arizona politics for decades.
Aquí hay gato encerrado. There's more to this story than meets the eye.
The Dynasty vs. Democracy Question
We're witnessing a collision between two political forces: the Grijalva dynasty, which has shaped Tucson politics for half a century, and the Hernandi coalition, which has been building its own base of power.
Adelita Grijalva has followed her father's exact political path—from the Tucson Unified School District board to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The congressional seat would complete the parallel trajectory.
Meanwhile, Daniel Hernandez represents a different approach—one that isn't tied to the Grijalva political machine but brings its own family connections and networks.
The question for voters becomes: Do we want political dynasties determining who represents us? Or do we want genuine choice based on policies and vision rather than surnames?
La democracia no es una herencia familiar. Democracy isn't a family inheritance.
The Trump Era Context
Let's not forget the backdrop against which this race is taking place. Donald Trump's return to the White House has already unleashed a wave of executive orders threatening to dismantle federal agencies, impose tariffs that would devastate border communities, and slash programs like Medicare and Medicaid that many in CD7 rely on.
Hernandez frames his candidacy in these terms:
"It's an opportunity for me to once again serve the community that raised me and give other people a shot at the American Dream that I got, but also make sure that we're having somebody who goes to D.C. who can be a voice and an advocate for so many of these programs that are on the chopping block because of the Trump administration and the MAGA extremists that are enabling them in Washington."
For Indigenous and Chicano communities in Southern Arizona, this race matters profoundly. CD7 includes lands of the Tohono O'odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe, as well as predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Tucson, Nogales, and Yuma. The district stretches along much of Arizona's border with Mexico.
Whoever represents CD7 will be on the front lines of battles over:
Border policy and immigration reform
Environmental protection for fragile desert ecosystems
Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights
Federal investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure
What Comes Next
The congressional calendar waits for no one. Here's the timeline for this accelerated political race:
April 14, 2025: Filing deadline for candidates (Democrats need 798 valid signatures)
June 18, 2025: Early voting begins for primary
July 15, 2025: Special primary election
September 23, 2025: Special general election
In the coming weeks, expect:
Adelita Grijalva to announce her candidacy shortly after her father's funeral
Potential entry from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who has said he's considering a run
Endorsements from progressive organizations, labor unions, and Democratic leadership
Fundraising numbers that will indicate each candidate's viability
Policy debates highlighting differences between the candidates
A Note of Hope and Call to Action
Despite the political maneuvering, dynasty-building, and questionable timing, there's something profoundly democratic happening here—an opportunity for voters to shape the future of Southern Arizona's representation.
The tensions within the Democratic Party reflect real questions about approach, priorities, and who gets to speak for our communities. These aren't abstract debates but discussions that will determine how effectively our region's needs are represented in Washington during a critical time.
La lucha continúa, but the power ultimately rests with you, the voters of CD7.
How to Get Involved:
Register to vote or verify your registration at Arizona Secretary of State's website
Attend candidate forums to hear directly from those seeking your vote
Ask challenging questions about where candidates stand on issues that matter to you
Volunteer for campaigns that align with your values
Talk to your neighbors about the stakes in this election
Mark your calendar for early voting beginning June 18
Remember that CD7 has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in Arizona. In a special election, turnout could be even lower, meaning your vote carries even more weight.
Whatever your political leanings, don't let others decide who speaks for you in Congress. The most powerful act of resistance in the Trump era isn't just protesting—it's participating in democracy at every level.
El poder está en tus manos. The power is in your hands.
Leave a Comment Below:
What qualities do you think are most important in a representative for CD7 during this second Trump administration?
How do you feel about political dynasties like the Grijalvas versus political families like the Hernandi shaping Southern Arizona politics?
Have a scoop or a story you want us to follow up on? Send us a message!
I’d vote for Adelita over the “Hernandi” any day
It’s honestly wild to see such blatant hypocrisy in your writing. You claim to be a staunch supporter of Palestinian liberation, yet you’re backing Daniel Hernandez—a candidate who’s about to rake in millions from AIPAC and has openly supported the genocide of Palestinians. At the same time, you’re quick to criticize Adelita for what you see as insufficient action on Palestine, but give Daniel a complete pass. That’s not principled—it’s a self-own. Just about anyone can open up a substack huh?