Daniel Butierez [right] meets with constituents at an event announcing his plans to run for Arizona’s Congressional District 7 seat in Tucson, Ariz., on Monday, March 17, 2025. The Republican previously faced the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva in the November general election.
With special election dates officially on the calendar, the race for Arizona’s 7th Congressional seat is already collecting candidates.
Longtime Democratic Representative Raúl Grijalva died of complications from cancer treatment on March 13, and as of Monday afternoon, at least ten candidates have filed statements of interest with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office.
On Friday, Governor Katie Hobbs issued a proclamation that officially called a primary election for Tuesday, July 15 and the special general election on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Tucson Republican Daniel Butierez is a familiar candidate re-entering the race. He was Grijalva’s opponent in the general election, and this time around, his congressional goals are similarly aligned with President Trump’s.
Butierez is a contractor and owns two small businesses, Butierez Painting, LLC, and a horse rescue that employs people recently released from prison, according to his website.
He announced his campaign plans to a small crowd at Delicias Mexican Grill on March 17.
“I know Trump has already taken care of the border and secured it, but we need to stay proactive in it and we need to address the fentanyl crisis which is impacting the homeless crisis,” he said.
AZPM previously reported Butierez advocated for continuing the border wall, and starting work camps as a solution to the housing crisis during the 2024 election.
He spent nearly 10 years in prison, and according to a court document listed on his website, a judge ruled that charge from 1992 void in 2020. He told AZPM last year that employment in prison helped him get back on his feet, and wants to implement job programs at a bigger scale.
Grijalva and Butierez had very different ideas for Southern Arizona. In October, Grijalva told AZPM the border wall was “the stupidest thing we can do.”
Butierez acknowledged the late Congressman’s legacy and said he respected him.
“Before he went to Washington, he did a lot for this community,” said Butierez.
Other Candidates
Hobbs’ proclamation means candidates now have about a month to collect signatures and file paperwork to get on the primary ballot.
As well as Butierez, five other Republican candidates have filed statements of interest, as well as three Democrats and one Green Party candidate, as of Monday afternoon. That number is expected to increase.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero will not run, according to a statement on her Facebook page.
“I know that serving as Mayor of Tucson is a distinct honor in these challenging times and is the best way for me to continue our work on behalf of Tucsonans,” the statement said.
Grijalva’s daughter and current Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva is another potential Democratic candidate. She said on social media March 16 she would wait until her father’s funeral was complete before making any announcements.
Finally, over the weekend an advisor for Secretary of State Adrien Fontes told the Arizona Republic he is “strongly considering” entering the race.
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