Jimmy Rodriguez is one of three Republican candidates in the primary to fill the seat left vacant by the death of longtime Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva.
Rodriguez has a background in construction and automotive electronics. He once had a passion for off-road racing, that is until a family tragedy led him to seek out political leaders for help.
Rodriguez found government and the people in it inaccessible and thinks he can do better.
In this introductory conversation with KAWC's Lou Gum, Rodriguez, in his first political interview, talks about the decision to seek public office, the issues he considers priorities, and his assessment of President Donald Trump's administration.
Find out more about him on his campaign website.
Jimmy Rodriguez is one of three republicans running in the special election primary in congressional district 7. The others are Jorge Rivas and Daniel Butierez, who ran against Grijalva in 2024.
There are five democrats in the primary – they are Adelita Grijlava, Deja Foxx, Daniel Hernandez, Patrick Harris, and Jose Malvido, Jr.
The primary is July 15th, the general election is September 23rd.
The Arizona Media Association along with the Arizona Clean Elections Commission has announced Democratic and Republican Primary Debates.
The Republican Primary debate is June 9, the Democratic Primary debate is June 10. A general election date has not been set but the organizations say it will be in late August.
Here are links to some of the other candidate conversations we have had with the field in CD-7.
Republican Daniel Butierez
Democrat Adelita Grijalva
Democrat Daniel Hernandez
We've reached out to other candidates and look forward to sharing those conversations in the days and weeks ahead.
