Context:

A special election primary in southwest Arizona has exposed tensions within the Democratic Party over issues of age, representation, and legacy, as young activist Deja Foxx and former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez challenge Adelita Grijalva, the daughter of late Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Adelita Grijalva aims to continue her father's progressive legacy while battling perceptions of benefiting from her family name and endorsements. Foxx, supported by former DNC Vice Chair David Hogg, emphasizes her grassroots experience and critiques the status quo, whereas Hernandez takes a centrist approach, focusing on health care and mining. Despite shared progressive agendas among the candidates, the primary has become a referendum on generational change and the effectiveness of long-standing political establishments. The outcome of this primary could signal a shift in voter preferences, particularly in a district with significant Latino representation, and set the stage for the general election in September.

Dive Deeper:

• Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, is positioned as a continuation of her father's progressive legacy, but her opponents question her reliance on her surname and political endorsements. Despite this, she highlights her own political record, including two decades on the Tucson Unified School District board and four years as a county supervisor.

• Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old activist, challenges the political establishment by emphasizing her background as the daughter of a single mother and her experience with social programs. Supported by Leaders We Deserve, a group led by David Hogg, she positions herself as a candidate for change, critiquing the status quo and promoting social media-driven campaigns.

• Daniel Hernandez, a former state legislator known for his centrist views, focuses on bipartisan cooperation, especially in health care and mining. While embracing a centrist lane, he criticizes Democrats who cite minority status as an excuse for legislative inaction, emphasizing his experience in a Republican-majority legislature.

• The race is marked by significant spending on TV ads, with Grijalva and her allies leading at $754,000, followed by Foxx at $614,000, and Hernandez at $509,000. The contest is described as a 'jump ball', with the outcome dependent on voter turnout in a district that includes parts of Tucson and nearly all of Arizona's border with Mexico.

• The Democratic primary has drawn comparisons to other races emphasizing generational change, such as the New York City mayoral primary, while also highlighting issues of Latino representation. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorses Grijalva, framing the race as crucial for Latino representation, though Foxx's campaign refutes claims that she is incapable of representing the district.

• The primary reflects broader Democratic debates on age and experience, as evidenced by President Joe Biden's decision to exit the 2024 race amid cognitive ability concerns. All candidates vow to resist Trump's domestic policies, with no major policy differences between Grijalva and Foxx, who both advocate for progressive agendas like 'Medicare for All'.

• The election outcome may indicate whether voters prefer to maintain a decades-long tradition of representation by the Grijalva family or embrace new leadership. The district's demographics and the candidates' differing approaches to campaigning and policy highlight the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party.