A progressive congressional candidate backed by online fanfare and high-profile endorsements just faced a devastating defeat in Arizona, casting serious doubt on the idea that social media stardom can translate into real-world political power.
With just 65% of the vote counted, the Associated Press called the race in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District in favor of a well-established local figure who dominated with 62% of the vote. Her opponent, a 25-year-old digital influencer hailed by far-left circles as the future of progressive politics, managed only 21%—a gap of more than 40 points.
Despite months of buzz, glowing media coverage, and a campaign that raised over $670,000 from mostly small-dollar donors, the digital-savvy challenger couldn’t come close to unseating the political veteran. Their campaign leaned heavily on personal narrative—highlighting a background of poverty, food stamps, and youth activism—but voters ultimately went with the name they knew.
Both candidates shared strikingly similar platforms, from backing Medicare for All and tribal sovereignty to promoting environmental justice and denouncing Donald Trump. But the more seasoned contender had something that couldn’t be replicated by viral clips or follower counts: deep community ties, decades of local involvement, and the legacy of a political dynasty.
In her victory speech, the winner spoke not just of her own campaign, but of continuing a mission launched in Southern Arizona over half a century ago by her father—a revered public servant. She framed her win as a mandate to not just resist, but to fight for the people: for democracy, for working families, and for progressive values rooted in place, not platforms.
Meanwhile, the defeated candidate tried to frame the moment as a symbolic win. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we built together,” she said, reflecting on a campaign that started “alone in my bedroom” and blossomed into what she described as a movement. But even supporters were forced to admit the loss was staggering.
“She lost by 40,” a blunt post on X read, quoting a Politico piece that once claimed she might have a “real shot.”
https://twitter.com/MiniMeatMikeB/status/1945319658631942244
Elsewhere, progressives are still mounting insurgent challenges. In New York, democratic socialist leaders are reportedly eyeing primary campaigns against several top House Democrats—including the current Minority Leader—hoping to repeat recent successes like the stunning victory of a socialist city councilman over a former governor and nine other candidates in a recent mayoral primary.
But party leaders are pushing back. Advisors close to Democratic leadership have issued stern warnings: any attempt to unseat establishment figures will be met with “forceful and unrelenting” resistance.
It’s a growing divide in the Democratic Party—between digital movements and political machines, between progressive idealism and establishment muscle. And while the former may dominate online, as this week’s crushing defeat shows, it still has a long way to go at the ballot box.
That crushing defeat? It belonged to Deja Foxx. Despite nearly 400,000 TikTok followers and the backing of progressive celebrities, she was no match for Adelita Grijalva—the daughter of a political legend—who now advances with the full support of Arizona’s Democratic establishment.
