Adelita Grijalva defeated Republicans and Democrats alike in a nonpartisan congressional special election in southern Arizona, September 23. She encounters a unique obstacle to her eventual ascent to office. Will House Speaker Mike Johnson ever swear her in? In reaction, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has sued him to block his practices. It has increased political fraying in an increasingly polarized political environment. Grijalva’s swearing-in is likely to affect key legislative votes, including concerning the release of sensitive Epstein files.
Adelita Grijalva, the first to represent Arizona’s newly-elected seventh Congressional District. She inherited the seat after the death of her father, Raúl Grijalva, who had held the same seat. Her election was seen as a continuation of her father’s legacy, yet her transition into office has been obstructed by Johnson’s refusal to conduct the swearing-in ceremony. Grijalva has continuously sought a timely oath, but Johnson has failed to schedule a date.
Click to read Grijalva’s letter to Johnson. He insisted that the swearing-in take place within two days, but the House Speaker refused to do so. She believes that Johnson is purposely holding up her ceremony. She suspects it’s retaliation for her vigorous efforts to release the Epstein files, which should significantly shape legislative conversations on the matter. A discharge petition requires a simple majority of the House – 218 signatures – to force action to bring the Epstein files up for debate and amendment. It’s only one vote away—and Grijalva’s signature could very well tip the scale.
Kris Mayes, fourth on the list, said that Johnson’s actions are preventing Adelita Grijalva from assuming her rightful oath of office. This action places Arizona’s seventh Congressional district under a taxation without representation condition. “I will not allow Arizonans to be silenced or treated as second-class citizens in their own democracy.”
Grijalva has energized her supporters, calling on them to sign a Change.org petition calling for her quick swearing-in. She lamented the predicament in which she’s found herself unable to do her job. “All I want to do is go to work, but I’m not able to,” she shouted. She further likened her experience to getting a car without the parts needed to make it run.
“But it’s kind of like someone saying, here’s a car, and it doesn’t have an engine, gas or tires.” – Adelita Grijalva
In explanation, Johnson cites the current government shutdown as the reason for holding up Grijalva’s swearing-in. He rejects all suggestions that her links to the Epstein files cause the delay. He called such notions “totally absurd.”
Despite Johnson’s assertions, Grijalva continues to advocate for her constituents and insists that the delay is an unlawful breach of constitutional rights. She contends that preventing her from taking her oath disenfranchises an entire congressional district. Yet this refusal undermines equitable representation in Congress.
“It’s an unlawful breach of our Constitution and the democratic process … Johnson cannot continue to disenfranchise an entire district and suppress their representation to shield this administration from accountability and block justice for the Epstein survivors.” – Adelita Grijalva
The lawsuit filed by Mayes marks a major turn in this political battle. Arizona’s attorney general is taking Johnson to task for refusing to do his job. This surprising result has the potential to change the future of how special elections are handled and how quickly new elected officials get into office.
As this regulatory tug-of-war continues to play out, it highlights the challenge of governance and representation at such a high, one-size-fits-all, federal level. As long as both sides are continuing to dig in, its resolution is not in sight.