President Donald Trump and immigration were the stars of a heated Democratic primary debate for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.
Five Democrats — activist Deja Foxx, former Pima County Board Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, activist Jose Malvido Jr., and businessman Patrick Harris Sr. — all faced off on the debate stage Tuesday night, a day after their Republican counterparts. The Democratic primary election on July 15 is expected to choose the next candidate for the district, where only 21% are registered Republicans.
The candidates are running for the seat of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died after winning reelection. His daughter, Adelita Grijalva, is among the candidates.
The shadow of the Los Angeles anti-ICE riots loomed large over the debate for a district straddling the U.S.-Mexico border, with all five candidates vehemently condemning the deployment of the National Guard and Marines to help quell the riots. Harris attempted to downplay the violence and suggested that Trump was only responding to distract from his “big, beautiful” bill. Foxx described Trump’s response as an example of “authoritarianism.”
The five attempted to overtake each other in their criticisms of Trump, with Malvido saying he was consolidating the three branches of power to become a “tyrant.” Harris and Foxx described him as a “showman,” interested in a “spectacle” rather than safety.
Many focused their answers on supporting immigrants.
Hernandez, Malvido, and Foxx bashed Adelita Grijalva, particularly her stances on Israel and the border, along with her position as the former incumbent’s daughter. She countered with answers bashing Trump, calling him a “clear and present danger” and touting her progressive Democratic credentials.
Adelita Grijalva outlined ways to prevent ICE from detaining immigrants and said she was prepared to “risk it all for the benefit of the people.” All five candidates called for a pathway to citizenship for all illegal immigrants.
ARIZONA SEN. GALLEGO BACKS BILL TO COMBAT US OBESITY CRISIS
Foxx suggested abolishing ICE altogether, saying it was an agency younger than she was, one of many comments leveraging her young age.
The Democratic primary will be held July 15, with voting in the district beginning June 18.