Three Republican candidates vying for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District seat debated Monday, June 9, presenting their platforms and discussing various issues important to voters ahead of the special primary election on Tuesday, July 15.
The election to fill the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s seat was called by Gov. Katie Hobbs after the longtime Democratic incumbent passed away on March 13. The general election is set for Sept. 23. Voters across southern Arizona, including areas in Goodyear, Avondale, and regions bordering Litchfield Park, Yuma, Nogales and Tucson, will decide on a successor.
The hour-long debate, which included opening and closing statements, offered insights into the candidates’ positions on both local and national matters.
The participating candidates were Daniel Francis Butierez Sr., a business owner who submitted 1,127 petition signatures; Jorge Rivas, a naturalized U.S. citizen and business owner, who filed with 710 signatures; and Jimmy Rodriguez, a businessman who submitted 645 signatures.
Border Security and Immigration
Border policy dominated the debate, with all three candidates supporting stricter enforcement but offering different approaches.
Butierez advocated completing the border wall and stricter enforcement. Rivas emphasized following existing laws and reforming them if needed.
“Until we get them over to where we can start and bring them in legally,” said Butierez, “until then, we need to get them out, and they need to come in the right way.”
Rivas focused on enforcement of existing laws.
“If the laws are unjust or unfriendly or they are not correct, let’s work... on making the laws the way that it should be,” he said. “But as far as I know, the laws have been on the books for many years — the same laws that were used by Obama, by Bush... every other president since. So to me, yeah, there is a path. It’s that we need to follow the law.”
Rodriguez supported legal paths to citizenship for Dreamers — children brought to the U.S. by parents at a young age — and underscored the need for compassion in handling longtime undocumented residents.
Rodriguez and Rivas diverged on what status Dreamers should receive. Rodriguez backed citizenship pathways, while Rivas would offer permanent residency but not citizenship.
"They don’t need to be living in fear,” Rodriguez said. “They were brought over a long time ago... and they’ve been here this entire time.”
Butierez referenced Trump-era DACA proposals that were ultimately not enacted.
Protests and Federal Response
All three supported President Trump’s federal response to recent protests in California. They described the demonstrations as violent and tied the unrest to immigration and border policy failures.
“It was a temper tantrum,” said Butierez. “A very violent protest.”
Rivas blamed the unrest on Biden’s immigration policies.
“President Trump is just trying to enforce the laws that we have on the books,” he said. “I blame it 100% on Biden and his administration... he should’ve established a system where people could come in legally, and we would know who they were.”
Rodriguez supported federalizing the National Guard.
“I blame that... on the governor of California for not being strong enough in getting the illegals out when he should have,” Rodriguez said.
Economic Policy
Candidates backed proposed Medicaid cuts targeting “fraud and abuse,” echoing support for the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Butierez praised Trump’s willingness to pursue reform.
“I’m absolutely amazed that we got this president there that’s actually doing it,” said Butierez. “Everybody always talks about doing this, and nobody ever does it. He’s doing it. Let’s let him do it.”
Rodriguez supported cuts for able-bodied people using Medicaid.
“They need to prove they’re working part time, going to school, doing what they need to do in order to stay qualified,” he said.
Rivas pledged to defend benefits for those in genuine need.
“Every single person that needs it and is being honest about it... they should get it,” he said. “And I will fight for them to get it.”
All three stressed fiscal responsibility and budget discipline. Butierez linked budgetary reform to term limits. Rivas emphasized common sense from his business experience. Rodriguez voiced optimism about economic progress under conservative leadership.
Each candidate supported tariffs as a negotiating tool.
“I think what we’re seeing right now in the United States is just the beginning,” said Rodriguez. “It may get a little bit harder... but the payoff in the end is definitely going to be worth it.”
“We’ve been getting ripped off for far too long,” said Butierez.“Once we get the tariffs leveled out... we need to make sure distributors don’t take advantage and raise prices unnecessarily.”
Rivas backed Trump’s approach. “President Trump is a deal maker,” he said. “Maybe some things will go up or down... but at the end, he will come up successful.”
Social Issues
On homelessness, Butierez proposed using vacant prisons and work programs.
“Giving them an opportunity to work... gives them an opportunity to leave that life behind,” he said.
Rodriguez pointed to mental illness and drug abuse.
"We do need mandatory drug rehab programs,” he said. “Perhaps mobile mental health stations might be able to aid with that.”
Rivas suggested a solution through building smaller, more affordable homes.
On child care, Butierez raised concerns about the home care industry.
“People are getting very rich off of the home care industry,” he said. “We might want to look into it and put a DOGE to them, too.”
Rodriguez reflected on personal experience.
“We went without quite a bit,” he said. “I would support a bill in Congress that would help working families... to afford day care.”
Rivas suggested reallocating federal aid.
“We as parents need to do a better job,” he said. “But just like the government sent $400 billion to Ukraine, I think we can use $200 billion to help the people that really need it.”
Water and Foreign Policy
Water policy was a central issue for voters. Butierez proposed recycling water for agriculture and mining and pledged to protect Arizona’s rights. Rivas pointed to Israel’s desalination programs and advocated for international partnerships. Rodriguez proposed export tariffs on water-intensive crops shipped overseas by foreign companies.
On Oak Flat mining, Butierez and Rivas said they would vote “for,” while Rodriguez responded “cleanly.”
Foreign aid drew skepticism from all three.
“I don’t feel we should be giving any money into these other countries unless we’re gonna get something out of it,” said Butierez.
Rodriguez emphasized restraint. “We need to stop sending so much over there,” he said. “Pull back that funding... focus on our own country.”
Rivas said foreign aid should be based on direct U.S. interest. “If it’s going to be for the security and safety of the United States... we should definitely get involved,” he said. “But not just to make money.”
Candidate Dynamics
The debate included tense moments between Butierez and Rivas over past immigration and character that interrupted questions on tariffs and took up time in the closing statements.
The July 15 primary will determine which Republican advances to the general election.
Debates continue with Democratic candidates meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday June 10. For more information, voters can visit azmedia.org and yourvalley.net for ongoing election coverage.
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