Politics
NEW: Progressive Democrat Gets Crushed In Her Primary Race
Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old social media influencer and self-described progressive, suffered a resounding defeat Tuesday night in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District special election, falling short by more than 40 points in a race some liberal activists hoped would be a generational breakthrough.
The Associated Press called the race for 54-year-old Adelita Grijalva with just 65% of the votes counted. Grijalva, the daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva and a longtime Pima County Supervisor, secured approximately 62% of the vote. Foxx, who was backed by high-profile youth activist David Hogg and promoted by the PAC “Leaders We Deserve,” trailed far behind at just 21%.
The lopsided result was a stinging blow to progressives hoping to replace an established name with a fresh, digital-savvy face. Foxx, who only became constitutionally eligible to serve in Congress in April, entered the race with national media attention, celebrity endorsements, and nearly 400,000 TikTok followers.
Her campaign emphasized “lived experience,” including her upbringing in Section 8 housing, reliance on food stamps, and early advocacy for reproductive rights. Despite those narratives, voters in the deep-blue district appeared unmoved.
Grijalva, seen from the start as the heir apparent to her father’s political legacy, ran a disciplined and well-funded campaign with endorsements from major party leaders, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Arizona’s own Sens. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
The reality of Foxx’s defeat was hard to ignore.
“She lost by 40,” wrote one X user, quoting an earlier Politico post that had speculated Foxx might “have a real shot” at the seat.
She lost by 40. https://t.co/EWSh1O1iNN
— Just Loki (@LokiJulianus) July 17, 2025
Foxx conceded her primary loss but praised the movement her campaign sparked, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder of what we built together.” She reflected on starting “alone in her bedroom” and growing a grassroots effort that “shattered expectations.” Foxx vowed the fight isn’t over, declaring, “We’re not going anywhere,” and offered her full support to Adelita Grijalva.
Foxx’s campaign had leaned heavily into social media and youth voter outreach, raising over $670,000—mostly from small-dollar donors—and attempting to reimagine traditional field operations through a digital lens. However, those tactics didn’t translate to electoral success in a district where grassroots organizing and name recognition still dominate.
Adding to the challenge: Grijalva’s policy stances were virtually indistinguishable from Foxx’s. Both candidates campaigned as progressives, supporting Medicare for All, environmental justice, tribal sovereignty, and a staunch opposition to President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. That left many voters questioning why they would trade a known progressive quantity with decades of community roots for a newcomer with a flashy online presence but no governing experience.
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Adelita Grijalva acknowledged her father’s legacy in her victory speech, stating, “This is a victory not for me, but for our community and the progressive movement my dad started in Southern Arizona more than 50 years ago.”
She added, “We delivered a message rooted not just in fighting back against a dangerous and tyrannical administration—but in fighting for something: for our democracy, for the dignity of working people, and for the values that truly define Southern Arizona.”
