#United States #Tucson #Clean Elections #CD 7 Debates #Raúl Grijalva

Clean Elections Successfully Hosts Candidate Debates for CD 7

In the wake of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva's passing, Clean Elections, Arizona’s leading non-partisan voter education organization, took swift action to ensure a democratic process by organizing candidate debates for the Congressional District 7 (CD 7) special election. Their proactive approach was crucial in providing voters with essential insights as they prepared to make their choices at the polls on September 23, 2025.

The debates took place in Tucson, which is located within CD 7. Recognizing the importance of accessibility, especially given the district's diverse population, Clean Elections prioritized creating an enlightening and inclusive environment for all voters. The organization made accommodations for participants who prefer either English or Spanish, which is vital in a region with a significant bilingual community. Additionally, American Sign Language interpreters were present to ensure real-time translation, thus broadening the debates' reach and making the information available to everyone, including those who are hearing impaired.

Gina Roberts, the Voter Education Director at Clean Elections, expressed pride in the initiative, stating, "The successful production of these debates ensures that voters in Congressional District 7 have access to the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box." Her sentiments echoed the mission of Clean Elections to facilitate voter education and engagement through unbiased information dissemination.

The debates featured key candidates who are vying for the seat, including frontrunners Daniel Francis Butierez, Sr. (R) and Adelita Grijalva (D). A general debate held on August 26 is archived on the Clean Elections YouTube channel, allowing voters to revisit these critical discussions as early voting approaches.

To extend the outreach, Clean Elections partnered with the Arizona Media Association (AMA), maximizing the coverage and visibility of the debates across multiple platforms. The combined media efforts included:

• - Television: 14 live airings across 7 stations in Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma offered both live broadcasts in English and delayed coverage in Spanish.
• - Radio: 16 total airings on 8 stations included 6 simulcasts in English and 2 Spanish-language broadcasts.
• - Digital Format: 51 streaming sources were made available, with a mix of 37 English and 14 Spanish streams covering both Republican and Democratic primaries.

This media strategy ensured that critical electoral information reached the greatest number of voters possible, enabling informed decision-making. The general election coverage extended to 5 television stations and 8 radio stations, which included dedicated Spanish programming.

As voters gear up for the special election, Clean Elections provides resources that help them navigate the electoral landscape. Individuals can visit the organization’s website for more information on upcoming debates, as well as follow Clean Elections on social media platforms such as Facebook (@AZCleanElections) and Instagram (@AZCleanElections) to receive timely updates.

In a time where voter education and transparency are paramount, the successful execution of the CD 7 debates by Clean Elections demonstrates a dedicated commitment to the electoral process and the community it serves. By fostering an environment of accessibility and informed participation, Clean Elections plays an essential role in sustaining the democratic ideals by ensuring every voice is heard and counted.