Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes speaking with attendees at the 2023 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes announced on X Wednesday night that he will not run to replace Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Earlier this month, Fontes told the media he was contemplating a run but made the announcement a few hours after Grijalva's funeral.
In his announcement, Fontes wrote, "After careful thought and reflection, I have decided that for family, for country, and for democracy, I will continue to defend America as Arizona's Secretary of State."
He wrote that the decision was based on recent actions by President Trump.
"With this week's Executive Order from the Trump Administration, I firmly believe the President is laying the groundwork to cancel elections in 2026," Fontes said.
The race to fill Grijalva's seat is a crowded one with 22 people having filed statements of interest to run for the seat.
The special election is scheduled for July. Whoever wins that election will serve out the remainder of Grijalva's term and then must run in 2026 if they want to serve a full term.
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