So. Az. Mayors Urge Speaker Johnson to Swear In Adelita Grijalva
Published on September 30, 2025
TUCSON, AZ – A coalition of Southern Arizona mayors, led by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, called on Speaker Mike Johnson to immediately swear in Adelita Grijalva, emphasizing that delaying her swearing-in denies representation to more than 800,000 Arizonans and leaves the residents of their cities without a crucial advocate in Washington.
In their joint letter, the mayors noted that voters delivered Grijalva a decisive victory in Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District, where she leads her closest opponent by 39.5 percentage points – or more than 40,000 votes.
“Every day that Congresswoman-elect Grijalva’s swearing-in is postponed is a day that 800,000 Arizonans are denied their full voice in the People’s House,” the Mayors wrote. “Our communities face urgent challenges – in healthcare, education, water and infrastructure, and housing affordability – that require federal attention. Leaving Southern Arizona without representation during these critical discussions, especially as Congress is in the midst of budget negotiations, is unacceptable."
The mayors also pointed to recent precedent: earlier this year, two Republican representatives from Florida were sworn in less than 24 hours after their special elections during pro forma sessions of Congress. They urged Speaker Johnson to act with the same urgency in swearing in Grijalva.
“We respectfully request that you move with the same speed in swearing in Congresswoman-elect Grijalva to ensure that Southern Arizona has a seat at the table during this critical time.”
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
We, the undersigned mayors in Southern Arizona, write to you with urgency to respectfully request that Congresswoman-elect Grijalva is sworn in immediately without delay.
The voters of Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District have spoken clearly, electing Adelita Grijalva as their next Representative in the United States Congress. She leads her closest opponent by 39.5 percentage points – or more than 40,000 votes – leaving no question about the outcome of this election. The Arizona Secretary of State has already transmitted the necessary paperwork to proceed with her swearing-in.
Every day that Congresswoman-elect Grijalva’s swearing-in is postponed is a day that 800,000 Arizonans are denied their full voice in the People’s House. Our communities face urgent challenges – in healthcare, education, water and infrastructure, and housing affordability – that require federal attention. Leaving Southern Arizona without representation during these critical discussions, especially as Congress is in the midst of budget negotiations, is unacceptable.
Earlier this year, Republican Representatives Jimmy Patronis (FL-01) and Randy Fine (FL-06) were sworn in less than 24 hours after their special elections and during pro forma sessions of Congress to fill vacant seats in the House of Representatives. We respectfully request that you move with the same speed in swearing in Congresswoman-elect Grijalva to ensure that Southern Arizona has a seat at the table during this critical time.
Sincerely,
Regina Romero, Mayor
City of Tucson
Gerardo Anaya, Mayor
City of Somerton
Ken Budge, Mayor
City of Bisbee
Jose Grijalva, Mayor
City of Douglas
Jorge Maldonado, Mayor
City of Nogales
Nieves Riedel, Mayor
City of San Luis
Juan Rodriguez, Mayor
City of Tolleson
Roxanna Valenzuela, Mayor
City of South Tucson