With early ballots now in voters’ hands, Democrat Adelita Grijalva and Republican Daniel Butierez met in the final debate before the Tuesday, Sept. 23 special election to fill Arizona’s 7th Congressional District seat.
The Clean Elections debate, broadcast statewide, gave the candidates one last chance to define their visions for Southern Arizona after months of campaigning. Immigration, border security, healthcare, education and foreign policy dominated the hour-long exchange, underscoring the deep divides between the two contenders.
The seat was left vacant following the death of longtime Rep. Raúl Grijalva, a progressive stalwart who represented the district for more than 20 years. His daughter, Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, is now the Democratic nominee, while construction business owner Daniel Butierez carries the Republican banner.
