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TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS AZ VOTES 2025 SPECIAL EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT, WE FEATURE A DEBATE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING IN A SPECIAL ELECTION TO SUCCEED THE LATE CONGRESSMAN RAUL GRIJALVA IN DISTRICT 7.

COVERS TUCSON, YUMA AND NOGALES AS WELL AS AVONDALE AND TOLLESON IN THE PHOENIX METRO AREA.

CANDIDATES WILL BE GIVEN ONE MINUTE TO REPLY TO QUESTIONS AND TIME FOR REBUTTALS.

ONE MINUTE OPENING STATEMENTS DELIVERED IN RANDOMLY SELECTED ORDER AND CLOSING STATEMENTS IN THE OPPOSITE ORDER.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE THE CANDIDATES.

REPUBLICAN DANIEL BUTIEREZ IS A BUSINESS OWNER AND ADELITA GRIJALVA.

THE DAUGHTER OF THE LATE CONGRESSMAN RAUL GRIJALVA AND FORMER MEMBER OF THE PIMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

WE BEGIN WITH DANIEL BUTIEREZ?

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT.

I'M DANIEL BUTIEREZ AND RUNNING FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE A POLITICIAN, BUT BECAUSE I CAN'T STAND SEEING THE CRIME THAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CITY, THE HOMELESSNESS PLAGUING OUR CITY, AND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I NEVER WANTED TO BE A POLITICIAN, BUT SOMEONE HAD TO STEP UP AND DO THIS.

SO I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT MY COMMUNITY AND I CARE ABOUT YOU.

THANK YOU.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW WE TURN TO ADELITA GRIJALVA.

>> GOOD EVENING, I'M ADELITA GRIJALVA, THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7.

OVER THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THIS BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY NOGALES, BISBEE, AVONDALE, TOLLESON, DOUGLAS, YUMA COUNTY AND EVERYWHERE I'VE GONE, OUR CONCERNS, OUR HOPES, OUR DREAMS ARE THE SAME.

WE WANT A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE, TO FULFILL THEIR AMERICAN DREAM.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S IN JEOPARDY.

OUR DEMOCRACY IS BEING THREATENED.

WE NEED FIGHTERS THAT ARE GOING STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION AND FIGHT FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

AND I AM THANKFUL THAT YOU'RE TUNING IN SO CAN YOU HEAR THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES, AND I'M GOING TO BE ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE TO SEND ME TO CONGRESS TO BE YOUR VOICE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

TED: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, BOTH.

MR. BUTIEREZ, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

SOUNDS AS THOUGH YOU DON'T THINK CD7 IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I ASSUME THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, DO YOU THINK IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND SECONDLY, IF NOT, WHY NOT, AND WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> TO ANSWER YOU, NO, I DON'T THINK IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND THE BIG PROBLEM THAT I SEE HAPPENING IN PHOENIX, TUCSON, YUMA, THE HOMELESS CRISIS PLAGUING OUR COMMUNITIES AND BROUGHT ON BY THE DRUGS, THE UNDERFACTOR OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THE CRIME THAT IT BRINGS.

WE'VE HAD THREE HATCHET ATTACKS.

SEVEN KNIFE STABBINGS.

THEY'RE HAVING KNIFE FIGHTS IN THE BUS STATIONS.

IT'S GOTTEN WAY OUT OF CONTROL.

THE UNDERLYING THING IS THE DRUGS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

TED: YOU'RE SAYING THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE TO ADDRESS THIS IS WHAT?

HOW DO YOU CONTROL THIS?

>> WE NEED TO STOP THE DRUGS COMING ACROSS THE BORDER.

THEY JUST HAD -- WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ON IT NOW, WORKING ON IT TO STOP IT, TO BRING IT DOWN, BUT THERE STILL NEEDS TO BE MORE DONE.

TED: MS. GRIJALVA, IS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

IF SO, HOW, AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?

>> WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN CD7.

WE HAVE URBAN AND RURAL AREAS AND WITH THE HORRIBLE BILL THAT JUST PASSED WE'RE GOING TO SEE DEVASTATING CUTS TO COMMUNITIES FROM OUR RURAL HOSPITALS TO PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS.

THE HUD FUNDS WERE CUT BY 44%.

OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS GUT.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS.

SO NO, WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IS SYSTEMATICALLY TAKING AWAY OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUR AMERICAN DREAM AND TO FULFILL WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR COMMUNITIES WHICH IS MAKING SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND OUR SENIORS, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES IN DIGNITY AND PEACE.

TED: REAL QUICKLY TO MR. BUTIEREZ'S POINT.

DRUGS A MAJOR ISSUE, COMING ACROSS THE BORDER, A MAJOR ISSUE, DO YOU AGREE?

>> DRUGS ARE A NATIONAL ISSUE.

THE PROBLEM REALLY LIES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE WE'RE ASKING FOR THE DRUGS.

WE'RE THE CUSTOMERS.

AND SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS PUT MORE EFFORTS INTO PREVENTION AND LESS EFFORTS INTO MAKING IT SEEM AS IF THE SCAPEGOAT ARE MIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND IMMIGRANTS.

TED: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> FIRST OFF, THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HOMELESS CRISIS PLAGUING US FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS.

I'VE EVEN GONE TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR AND SPOKEN WITH THEM ABOUT THIS, SEEING WHY THEY'RE NOT DOING MORE FOR IT.

WHY THEY'RE GIVING MONEY TO BRING HOMELESS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD AND TAKE CARE OF THEM AND IGNORE OUR OWN PEOPLE HERE.

I BELIEVE IN AMERICA FIRST.

TED: THE BILL -- AND MS. GRIJALVA MENTIONED -- I ASSUME YOU WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THAT BILL HAD YOU BEEN IN CONGRESS?

>> I HAVEN'T READ THE WHOLE BILL.

I WOULD HAVE WANTED OTHER THINGS IN IT.

TED: STUDIES SHOW THIS COULD ADD $3 TRILLION OVER THE YEARS TO THE NATIONAL DEBT.

WOULD YOU STILL HAVE VOTED FOR IT?

>> UM, LIKE I SAID, I HAVEN'T READ THE BILL, AND THAT IS WHAT SOME PEOPLE ARE ASSUMING.

TED: THERE ALSO, LOOKS LIKE, CUTS OF MEDICAID APPLICATIONS, IS THAT WHAT PEOPLE IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 WANT TO SEE?

>> WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE CUTS CUT IN IT ARE FRAUDULENT CASES.

PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING IT, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE GETTING IT, THEY'VE BEEN CUT FROM IT.

THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING, GOING TO WANT PEOPLE TO WORK TO GET SOME OF THE BENEFITS THEY'RE GETTING, BUT I WILL GO IN, IF I'M PUT IN WASHINGTON, I WILL FIGHT FOR MEDICAID IF SOMEONE DESERVES IT, ISN'T GETTING IT, I WOULD FIGHT FOR THEM.

TED: RESPOND, PLEASE.

>> WHO'S THE JUDGE WHO DESERVES IT.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE.

THAT BILL IS GOING TO CUT 383,000 ARIZONANS OFF OF MEDICAID.

AND OF THOSE, 142,000 ARE CHILDREN.

HOW DOES IT HELP US IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES IF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE CUT OFF OF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE?

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BILL AND HOMELESSNESS, WHEN YAUR LOOKING AT THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT HELP TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES, AND HUD SPECIFICALLY, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT CUT 44%, WE'RE ABSOLUTELY GOING TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE COST, AND MR. BUTIEREZ IS CONFLATING TWO ISSUES.

ONE IS THE FEDERAL ASYLUM-SEEKER PROGRAM, AND THE OTHER IS DEALING WITH OUR LOCAL CRISIS OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE.

TED: PLEASE?

>> ON HER RESPONSE TO THAT, ABOUT THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS, MANY OF THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS DIDN'T COME IN THE LEGAL WAY, AND WE'RE RUNNING TO BE MAKERS OF THE LAW, NOT BREAKERS OF THE LAW.

AND TO THE OTHER PART SHE SAID ABOUT THE CHILDREN, LOTS OF THEM ARE COMING OFF, I'D LIKE TO ASK, IS SHE REFERRING TO AMERICAN CHILDREN OR UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN?

TED: HE ASKED.

>> ABSOLUTELY AMERICAN CHILDREN.

THE FRUSTRATION FOR ME IS DOES IT MATTER ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS OF A CHILD IS IF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GROW OUR COMMUNITY?

THE UNITED STATES IS BUILT ON IMMIGRANT LABOR.

IT JUST HISTORICALLY IS.

SO WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPLIFT GENERATIONS, MANY OF THEM BORN HERE OR BROUGHT HERE AS CHILDREN, WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SOCIETY?

AND WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT A LEGAL WAY, THERE IS COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IS CRITICAL, BUT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY IS THE ASYLUM-SEEKER PROCESS, WHICH WAS A LEGAL PROCESS THAT PEOPLE WENT THROUGH, CLAIMED ASYLUM AND WERE BROUGHT INTO THIS COUNTRY.

THERE IS DOCUMENTATION.

THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE BORDER PATROL AND I.C.E.

BEING ABLE TO GO TO PEOPLE AND GET THEM IN COURT.

STAND OUTSIDE OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO CHECK IN FOR THE LEGAL PROCESS.

THERE'S A PROCESS IN DUE PROCESS THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.

TED: I WANT TO GET MORE TO IMMIGRATION IN A SECOND.

THE QUESTION IS, IF THE LATEST BILL, THE TRUMP SPENDING AND BUDGET BILL, IF THAT CUTS SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS, FOR THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS AND SORTS OF THINGS, WHY IS THAT A GOOD THING IF THAT DRUG ABUSE AND HOMELESSNESS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7?

>> I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IF I'M SENT TO WASHINGTON, I'M GOING TO HOLD TRUMP TO THE FIRE BECAUSE HE JUST CAME OUT AND TOLD THE ENTIRE COUNTRY HE WOULD SPEND WHATEVER IT TOOK TO GET OUR HOMELESS OFF THE STREETS, AND I WOULD BE IN THERE TO TALK TO HIM WITH MY PLAN TO GET THE HOMELESS OFF IN A COMPASSIONATE WAY.

TED: ONE LAST POINT ON THIS AS WELL, I'M REFERRING TO WHAT MR. BUTIEREZ SAID TO A POINT, ARE THERE TOO MANY ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE RECEIVING MEDICAID WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING THAT ASSISTANCE?

>> THERE IS A PROCESS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN MEDICAID AND HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT'S CURRENTLY IN PLACE.

THERE ARE MANY FACTORS AS TO WHY SOMEONE IS ON THAT PROGRAM AND THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS FOR PEOPLE TO WORK THIS IDEA THIS PROGRAM IS FRAUGHT WITH FRAUD IS COMPLETELY INACCURATE.

WHEN TRUMP TALKS ABOUT THE DESIRE TO SPEND ANYTHING IT TAKES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, HE'S TALKING ABOUT WASHINGTON AND WHAT HE HAS TO DEAL WITH WITHIN HIS REALM.

WHAT HE'S DOING IS TAKING DEA AGENTS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SUPPORTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA AND MOVING THEM TO WASHINGTON TO TAKE CARE OF WASHINGTON'S PROBLEM WHICH DIDN'T ASK FOR THE HELP OF THE NATIONAL GUARD.

>> THE CONSTITUENTS OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 WILL DECIDE THIS ELECTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WANT TO SEE REGARDING IMMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION CONTROL, ENFORCEMENT AND PROVE THAT RESIDENTS ARE IMMIGRANTS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WANT TO SEE?

>> THEY WANT TO SEE IMMIGRATION REFORM, AND SO DO I.

MANY OF US, MY OPPONENT AND I, WE LIVED HERE OUR WHOLE LIVES.

OUR FAMILIES HAVE LIVED HERE.

WITHIN THAT, WE'VE DEALT WITH THIS WITH OUR OWN FAMILIES, SO I'M NOT -- I AM UNDERSTANDING WITH IT, BUT WE ARE LAWMAKERS, NOT LAWBREAKERS, WE NEED TO CHANGE THE LAW.

>> OKAY, HOW SHOULD WE CHANGE THE LAW.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE NEW LAW?

>> YOU'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT.

I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS, AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT'S A LOT MORE COMPLICATED THAN I EVER THOUGHT IT WAS.

YOU'VE GOT FAMILIES CREATED, CHILDREN BORN TO PEOPLE, THEIR ONE PARENT BELONGS HERE, ANOTHER PARENT DOESN'T, AND I DON'T BELIEVE IN SENDING THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT OF HERE, AND I BELIEVE TRUMP'S CHANGE HIS MIND IN THAT BECAUSE HE'S NOT HAVING WORKERS DEPORTED OR ANYBODY THAT WORKS IN THE FIELDS OR CONSTRUCTION.

TED: MS. GRIJALVA, A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN APPREHENSIONS AT THE BORDER.

IS THAT A GOOD THING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7?

>> I THINK THAT HAVING A DUE PROCESS AND COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IS CRITICAL.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 20 YEARS AND STILL DON'T HAVE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

WE HAVE DACA RECIPIENTS THREATENED WITH DEPORTATION BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER PROTECTED STATUS AND NOW THEY'RE NOT.

RULES WITH THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUE TO CHANGE, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE TO CODIFY COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM INTO LAW SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE AND WHAT THE PROCESSES ARE, AND NO, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT BORDER CROSSINGS AND CRIME ARE AT ALL-TIME HIGH.

IF YOU LOOK AT COMMUNITIES WHERE THE PORTS OF ENTRY ARE, THEY'RE SOME OF THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES IN CD7 AND IN THE NATION.

TED: I ASK YOU AS WELL, YOU'RE CALLING FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE REFORMED, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL FOR?

>> THE WHOLE PROCESS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CAPACITY IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ATTORNEYS TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH A PROCESS.

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO DUE PROCESS, WE HAVE THREE-YEAR-OLDS REPRESENTING THEMSELVES IN IMMIGRATION COURT.

THIS SYSTEM IS INCREDIBLY BROKEN.

LEADERSHIP FROM CONGRESS, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS CONTINUED INTERVENTION AND LIES BEING THROWN ABOUT THROUGH OUR EXECUTIVES.

TED: PLEASE?

>> I WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT.

SHE SAID THEY DON'T HAVE DUE PROCESS IN HERE?

WELL, THEY DIDN'T USE ANY DUE PROCESS WHEN THEY CAME IN HERE.

THEY WERE BROUGHT IN HERE.

MILLIONS AND MILLIONS WERE BROUGHT IN HERE.

IT WASN'T TRUMP THAT BROUGHT THEM IN.

HE'S NOT CHANGING THE RULES.

TRUMP IS ENFORCING THE LAWS, AND BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY HERE, HE'S BEEN LENIENT ON SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE UNDER THE -- BREAKING THE LAW, BUT HE'S ENFORCING THE LAW, NOT CHANGING THE RULES.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ARE DEPORTING VETERANS, YOU'RE DEPORTING DACA RECIPIENTS, YOU'RE DISMISSING CASES AND CATCHING THEM WHEN THEY'RE COMING OUT OF THE COURTHOUSE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HOME DEPOT AND TAKING PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING AND CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SOCIETY INTO OUR TAX SPACE.

THAT'S THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR CD7 AND FOR THIS NATION.

TED: STICKING WITH YOU, MS. GRIJALVA.

YOUR FATHER WAS STRONG PROGRESSIVE, VOCAL PROGRESSIVE, IS THAT WHAT THE VOTERS IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WANT TO SEE NOW OR WANT TO SEE A DIFFERENT APPROACH?

>> BASED ON WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TELLING ME AND BASED ON WHO TURNED OUT TO VOTE, THIS COMMUNITY WANTS A PROGRESSIVE, UNAPOLOGETIC VOICE FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

WE'RE A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE RURAL AND URBAN AREAS, THE THREE PORTS OF ENTRY WITH MEXICO ARE HERE IN CD7.

WE UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY BETTER THAN SOMEBODY MAKING DECISIONS IN WASHINGTON.

SO WHAT I WOULD BE ADVOCATING FOR IS CONSULT LOCALLY ABOUT WHAT THE BIG ISSUES ARE.

TED: MR. BUTIEREZ, YOU'RE RUNNING IN A HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY A VERY VOCAL AND PROGRESSIVE REPRESENTATIVE.

IS THAT WHAT THE DISTRICT WANTS, AND IF THAT'S WHAT IT WANTS, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET ELECTED?

>> I'VE BEEN OUT SPEAKING IN THE COMMUNITY TOO, AND I'VE ACTUALLY SPOKEN TO SOME REPORTERS.

FIRST OFF, I'M NOT RUNNING TO REPRESENT THE REPUBLICANS OR THE DEMOCRATS.

I'M RUNNING TO REPRESENT CD7.

I WILL LISTEN TO EVERYBODY WITHIN MY DISTRICT, BUT WHAT I'M HEARING FROM EVEN REPORTERS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE READY FOR CHANGE, PERIOD.

THEY DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE VOTING FOR A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN.

THEY JUST WANT TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

TED: THEY WANT CHANGE, WHAT KIND OF CHANGE?

>> NONE OF THEM HAVE TOLD ME, THEY SAID THEY WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS, CD7 I WAS BORN IN CD7, RAISED IN CD7.

CD7 NEVER CHANGED.

I GOT THAT IN SAN LUIS, HERE IN TUCSON, SOUTH TUCSON.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME.

EVERYTHING GROWS AROUND IT BUT NOTHING GROWS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

TED: MS. GRIJALVA, YOUR FATHER WAS VERY MUCH A ENVIRONMENTALIST AND AGAINST MINING OPERATIONS AND PLANNED OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE PATAGONIA AND SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS TO PROJECTS THERE.

IT CAN BE ARGUED THAT MINING PROJECTS SUPPORT GOOD JOBS, GOOD UNION JOBS, THEY'RE GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY.

IS THAT A VALID ARGUMENT AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MINING IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THERE WAS NOT REALLY CONSULTATION WITH SOVEREIGN NATIONS, WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PROMISES MADE BY THE FOREIGN MINING COMPANIES OF THE NUMBER OF JOBS THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE OFFERED.

WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE BRASS TACKS AND NUTS AND BOLTS WHO IS HIRED, YOU LOOK AT THE OUTSIDE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL DEVASTATION THAT MINING HAS LEFT IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY SINCE YOU BROUGHT UP PATAGONIA, THE SOUTH 32 HERMOSA MINE PROJECT, THAT PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO USE 6.5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY.

THERE IS NO CAPACITY IN OUR DESERT TO BE ABLE TO ABSORB THAT KIND OF USE AND MISUSE, AND THEN WHEN THEY'RE DONE WITH THE PROJECT, AND BY THE WAY, THIS IS A -- THE LAW THAT IS GOVERNING THIS PROCESS IS FROM 1872.

SO WE NEED TO UPDATE THE MINING LAWS, ABSOLUTELY.

TED: MINING OPERATIONS IN YOUR DISTRICT, IN ARIZONA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY WHICH YOU WILL HAVE A SAY IN, DO YOU SUPPORT?

>> WE NEED HEAVIER REGULATIONS ON THE MINES.

AS FAR AS MINING GOES, MY FATHER WAS A MINER, MY MOTHER WAS A SCHOOLTEACHER.

I GREW UP AND WAS RAISED BY MINERS.

USED TO RECYCLE YOUR WATER.

I'M SUPPOSED TO DO A TOUR OF THE HERMOSA MINE HERE QUICK BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO SHOW ME WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

SAN MANUAL, THEY PUT DOWN THICK, THICK PLASTIC TO PROTECT THE WATER BECAUSE WE NEED OUR WATER.

TED: DOES THAT MEAN THAT MINING OPERATION -- IN OTHER WORDS, YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE YET?

>> I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THEY'RE DOING ON THE MINE YET.

I'M GOING TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

TED: IF IT'S ARGUED THAT COMPANIES TAKE WHAT IS MINED AND SHIP THEM OFF TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND NOTHING IS LEFT FOR THAT DISTRICT, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD APPROVE OF?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THEY NEED TO TAKE FOR TAKING THE MINERALS OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SAN MANUAL DID THAT YEARS AGO, CHINA TOOK SAN MANUAL TO THE CLEANERS.

THEY WERE TAKING THE BLACK ORE OUT AND GETTING ENOUGH GOLD OUT OF THE BLACK ORE AND NEVER KNEW IT.

TED: COUPLE THINGS I WANT TO GET TO, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

STICK WITH YOU ON THIS.

CLIMATE CHANGE, SHOULD CONGRESS ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> I'M NOT A BIG FAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

I KNOW THERE'S CLIMATE CHANGE, DON'T GET ME WRONG, THAT'S JUST A FACT, THERE'S NOBODY THAT DISAGREES WITH IT, BUT I SEE A LOT OF MONEY BEING TAKEN FROM TAXPAYERS THAT'S NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

THEY SPENT 7.5 MILLION ON THOSE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS AND WE GOT -- WHAT DID WE GET?

THREE CHARGING STATIONS?

SO WE HAVE TO GET THAT REGULATED TOO BEFORE WE START THROWING OUR MONEY AWAY ON THIS.

TED: MS. GRIJALVA?

>> ABSOLUTELY CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL AND NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PREVENT THE DEVASTATION THAT'S HAPPENING, THE DEFORESTATION THROUGHOUT OUR WORLD WHEN.

WE'RE LOOKING SPECIFICALLY IN CD7 AND PIGGY BACKING ON THIS IDEA OF THE HERMOSA MINE, ECOTOURISM IS CRITICAL IN PATAGONIA AND CRITICAL TO THE STATE OF ARIZONA, AND SO WHEN WE DEVASTATE THESE LOCATIONS, WHERE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO LOOK AT BIRDING, FLORA AND FAUNA AND WHAT OUR BEAUTIFUL SONORAN DESERT OFFERS, ONCE IT'S GONE IT'S GONE, AND THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF A LITTLE BIT OF PLASTIC THAT'S GOING TO PROTECT OUR WATER, OUR AIR AND OUR SOIL.

TED: SO BACK TO YOU, REAL QUICKLY ON THIS.

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS, RENEWABLE ENERGY IDEAS, SHOULD THEY BE PROMOTED?

.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK SOLAR IS WORKING REALLY GOOD.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE WINDMILLS BECAUSE THEY USE SO MUCH OIL IN THEM, I THINK THEY'RE NOT COST EFFECTIVE, BUT I DO LIKE THE SOLAR.

TED: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

MS. GRIJALVA, A SIMILAR QUESTION TO YOU BUT ON A DIFFERENT PATH HERE.

IS THERE AN ISSUE THAT YOUR FATHER SUPPORTED THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE TUSC BOARD AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TWO POSITIONS MY FATHER HELD, THE FIGHTS ARE DIFFERENT.

HOW WE GET TO THE SOLUTION IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE SITUATION VERY DIFFERENT, DEPENDING WHEN WE GO IN.

MY FATHER WENT TO CONGRESS 22 YEARS AGO AND THE CONGRESS THEY WOULD BE WALKING INTO IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE HE DID.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE WITH EXTREMISTS, AND SO WE HAVE THE SAME VALUES.

HOW WE GET ON SOLUTIONS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS ARE DIFFERENT, BUT I AM MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER AND VERY PROUD OF IT.

TED: MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT -- I THINK WE GOT A REFERRAL TO THIS EARLIER, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DOES AND HAS DONE AND PLANS TO DO THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH?

>> WELL, WHEN HE FIRST CAME OUT WITH DACA AND GOING TO DO BLANKET ASYLUM, I WAS AGAINST THAT, THAT WAS THE LAST TERM.

THIS IS WHY I NEED TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SOMETHING, I CAN'T MAKE AN OPINION OF SOMETHING I HAVEN'T READ AND LOOKED INTO.

NOW THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH ATTORNEYS, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS, I UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC BETWEEN THAT, BUT THE DEMOCRATS WEREN'T WILLING TO STOP CHAIN MIGRATIONS.

TED: THE QUESTION, IS I THINK THE VOTERS IN CD7 WANT KNOW, ARE YOU A RUBBER STAMP FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> NO.

NO.

IF SOMETHING IS BAD FOR ARIZONA, I'M GOING TO STAND UP AGAINST IT.

TED: IS THERE TOO MUCH RUBBER STAMPING GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

>> YES, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THERE'S QUITE A BIT.

TED: THE QUESTION FOR YOU IS, VOTERS WANT TO KNOW, ARE THEY GOING TO GET RAUL GRIJALVA'S DAUGHTER OR A REPRESENTATIVE WHO PERHAPS WOULD DIFFER FROM CONGRESSMAN GRIJALVA.

OBVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT SCENARIO, A DIFFERENT WORLD, BUT THEY WANT AN ANSWER FOR THAT.

>> THIS COMMUNITY ELECTED MY FATHER 50 YEARS IN TOTAL.

THEY WANT AN UNAPOLOGETIC PROGRESSIVE AND I AM THAT.

I WILL ALWAYS STAND UP FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA, DEFEND AND STAND UP AND BE THE VOICE FOR SOUTHERN ARIZONA.

WHEN I GO TO CONGRESS, JUST LIKE MY FATHER DID, YOU DON'T FORGET WHO SENT THERE YOU.

YOU'RE AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND THE ROOTS THAT SENT YOU HERE.

CONGRESS ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE ME AND DIDN'T CHANGE MY FATHER.

TED: CANDIDATES, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE WITH YOU.

GREAT CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS AND GOING IN REVERSE ORDER OF OPENING STATEMENTS, WE BEGIN WITH DANIEL BUTIEREZ -- I THINK WE BEGIN WITH -- >> YEAH, I THINK SO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS CONVERSATION, THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE ON THE STAGE ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN WHAT THE POLICIES AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR.

I'M ALWAYS GOING TO REMEMBER WHO I AM FIGHTING FOR THAT, IS A LESSON THAT MY FATHER TAUGHT ME WELL.

I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO THE VALUES, TO THE HOPES, THE STRUGGLES AND THE SUCCESSES OF CD7.

WHEN YOU SEND ME TO CONGRESS, I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR YOU -- AND I'M NEVER GOING TO FORGET WHO SENT ME THERE.

I'M A MOM OF THREE CHILDREN.

I WANT TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS JUST LIKE YOU DO.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SEND A FIGHTER TO CONGRESS, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR MEDICARE, FOR MEDICAID, FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, FOR MORE JOBS.

THESE ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE ALL VALUE, AND THAT'S WHY I WOULD BE HONORED AND PRIVILEGED AND HUMBLED TO REPRESENT YOU IN CONGRESS.

MY NAME IS ADELITA GRIJALVA, AND I'M HUMBLY ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

TED: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THE CLOSING STATEMENT FROM DANIEL BUTIEREZ?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING HERE TONIGHT AND I WANT TO REACH OUT AND TELL EACH ONE OF YOU, YOU'VE SEEN WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IN THE LAST GOING ON TWO YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'VE BEEN WORKING TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY, I'VE BEEN DOING THAT, NOT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, JUST AS A PERSON THAT CARES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AND IF YOU ELECT ME AND SEND ME TO WASHINGTON, I WILL DO SO MUCH MORE, AND JUST SO THAT EVERYONE IS CLEAR ON THIS, THIS SELECTION ONLY UNTIL NEXT YEAR, AND I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN GO INTO WASHINGTON AND BRING JOBS AND RESOURCES BACK HERE DURING THE NEXT TEN MONTHS, AND AT WHICH TIME, IF I DON'T KEEP MY WORD TO YOU, THEN HIRE SOMEONE ELSE FOR NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU.

TED: THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU CANDIDATES, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS ARIZONA VOTES SPECIAL ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

YOU CAN WATCH IT AGAIN ON AZPBS.ORG AND YouTube CHANNEL AT AZPBS NOW.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.