Secretary of State Adrian Fontes might run for seat left vacant by Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s death

PHOENIX — Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes announced Tuesday he is “strongly considering” a run for the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

In a statement on X, Fontes announced his consideration for the 7th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House while also giving his admiration for Grijalva, who died Thursday after a battle with cancer.

“I have long admired Congressman Grijalva. We should all be grateful for his years of service,” Fontes wrote. “I am strongly considering a run to represent AZ-07, a place where I was born and raised, served my country in the marine corps and protected democracy.”

“I will have more to say in the days ahead. Right now, we must remember and appreciate the life and legacy of the late Congressman Grijalva.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs announced on Friday that a special primary election for Grijalva’s southern Arizona district will take place on July 15. It will be followed by a general election on Sept. 23.

As of Tuesday, 13 people had filed statements of interest for the primary: eight Republicans, three Democrats, one Libertarian and one Green Party member. Fontes was not on the list.

Statements of interest are not official entries into a race, but they must be filed before a candidate can start collecting nomination petition signatures.

Candidates for U.S. House seats must be residents of the state but don’t have to live in the district where they are seeking office.

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