With almost two months of delay and thanks to pressure exerted by the Hispanic Caucus, Democrat Adelita Grijalva was officially appointed representative for the 7th. Arizona Congressional District.

On September 24, the former Prima County Board of Supervisors member defeated Republican Daniel Butierez in a special election, thus earning the right to serve out the remainder of the term her father, Raul Grijalva, was unable to complete due to his death.

Although the 55-year-old candidate obtained just over 70% of the vote compared to her opponent's 27%, the ratification of her victory was postponed due to the government shutdown.

Proud of her Mexican roots and of being the granddaughter of a man who came to the United States through the Bracero Program, which was active by the authorities between 1942 and 1964 to allow Mexican agricultural workers to work in the United States, Adelita Grijalva says she is ready to represent the immigrant community in Congress.

However, Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives had been reluctant to swear her in, the real reason being that the Republican majority in the House has shrunk to 219-214, which could be a risk factor for conservatives passing future initiatives if some of their members abstain from voting, or worse, if they end up supporting the Democrats. In her first remarks on the floor as a sworn-in member of Congress, Adelita Grijalva lashed out against the policies implemented by the Trump administration, stating that they are setting the country back. “Fundamental freedoms are under attack. Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing. ICE agents are separating babies from their parents. We can and must do better,” she declared. In her view, the worst thing that has happened is the lack of any attempt to challenge the government.which must change at least in the House of Representatives.

“The most worrying thing is not what this administration has done, but what the majority of this body has failed to do: hold Trump accountable,” he emphasized.