PHOENIX — Daniel Hernandez Jr., a former Democratic state lawmaker known for helping save Gabby Giffordsduring the 2011 Tucson shooting, officially announced Monday he’s running for the congressional seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Raúl Grijalva.
“I’m running for Congress because we need leaders who will stand up and fight for working families, veterans, and seniors,” Hernandez said in his campaign video.
If elected, Hernandez said he would prioritize protecting Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, voting rights, and reproductive rights.
A Familiar Face in Arizona Politics
Hernandez, an intern for Giffords during the 2011 shooting, was hailed as a hero for his role that day. He later served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives beginning in 2017.
In 2022, Hernandez ran for Congress in Arizona’s 6th District but lost in the Democratic primary. Now, he’s aiming for the 7th Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold in southern Arizona, after Grijalva’s death from cancer earlier this month.
The special election primary is scheduled for July 15, with the general election on September 23. Hernandez is the 20th candidate to file a statement of interest, joining a field that includes nine Democrats, nine Republicans, a Libertarian, and a Green Party candidate.
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is also considering a run but has said he won’t announce his decision until after Grijalva’s funeral. Candidates have until April 14 to submit nominating petitions.
