Progressive Influencer Deja Foxx Crushed in Arizona Primary

Democrats received a political reality check this week as 25-year-old progressive influencer Deja Foxx suffered a decisive defeat in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District special election. Foxx, a rising liberal figure with nearly 400,000 TikTok followers, lost by more than 40 points to Adelita Grijalva, a seasoned local official and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

With 65% of precincts reporting, The Associated Press declared 54-year-old Grijalva the winner with roughly 62% of the vote. Foxx managed just 21%, despite endorsements from youth activist David Hogg and progressive PAC “Leaders We Deserve.”

Foxx’s campaign centered on her personal story—growing up on food stamps, living in Section 8 housing, and advocating for reproductive rights from a young age. But her tech-savvy, social media–driven approach failed to translate into votes in the deep-blue district, where Grijalva’s name recognition and grassroots base proved insurmountable.

Grijalva ran a focused, well-funded campaign backed by major figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Her victory underscored the continued power of traditional campaigning and local political infrastructure, especially in a district long held by her father.

Foxx conceded and praised her campaign’s effort, saying, “I couldn’t be prouder of what we built together,” and pledged her full support to Grijalva. “We’re not going anywhere,” she added, signaling her intent to remain active in politics. Despite raising over $670,000, Foxx’s campaign ultimately revealed the limits of digital-first, influencer-driven politics.