In Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, Deja Foxx, a prominent progressive influencer, faced a significant electoral setback, garnering only 21% of the vote compared to Adelita Grijalva’s commanding 62%. Grijalva, a Pima County Supervisor and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, leveraged her deep community ties and widespread recognition to secure the victory. Foxx, a 25-year-old TikTok personality with nearly 400,000 followers, centered her campaign on her personal journey, highlighting her experiences growing up in Section 8 housing and relying on food stamps. Despite endorsements from figures like David Hogg and the “Leaders We Deserve” PAC, Foxx could not match Grijalva’s established political presence.
Grijalva’s campaign drew robust support from high-profile progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. In her victory speech, Grijalva emphasized her commitment to carrying forward her father’s legacy. Foxx, reflecting on the outcome, described her campaign as a meaningful achievement, noting that she built a grassroots movement from her bedroom that surpassed expectations.
Both candidates championed progressive priorities, such as Medicare for All, tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, and opposition to Donald Trump. However, voters in the district gravitated toward Grijalva’s familiar name and longstanding connections to the community, which proved decisive in the election.
In New York, progressive activists are gaining momentum, organizing primary challenges against prominent Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist assemblyman from Queens, recently triumphed in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, marking a notable shift toward the left within the party. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) celebrated Mamdani’s success and urged supporters to engage in local organizing efforts.
Encouraged by Mamdani’s victory, DSA leaders are exploring primary challenges against Jeffries and other notable New York House Democrats, including Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Yvette Clarke. In response, Jeffries’ team has vowed to mount a vigorous defense against any such challenges, signaling a fierce contest ahead.
