ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV

As Arizona’s District 7 prepares to choose its next congressional representative, voters find themselves at a pivotal moment. Like many members of my generation, I am 19 years old, deeply concerned about the political future of this country, and eager to see leaders who reflect our values, leaders who are unafraid to challenge power, and remain rooted in the communities they aim to serve.

As a third-generation Tucsonan, I know what it means to be rooted in this community; I believe strongly in the need for younger voices in government. However, Deja Foxx is not the right candidate to represent us.

Ms. Foxx has built her campaign around her identity as a Gen Z candidate. She has positioned her age as a correction to the generational disconnect in Congress. While that framing may resonate with young voters exhausted by institutional inertia, age alone is not a qualification. We do not need figureheads; we need public servants who are politically courageous. A compelling personal story is not a substitute for demonstrated leadership.

Like Ms. Foxx, I was raised by a single mother and too navigated my way to the Ivy League. But it is time to move beyond rehearsed origin stories and engage with the realities of public service. Personal hardship may help voters relate to a candidate, but it does not inherently prepare someone to legislate.

Real leadership requires moral courage, especially in moments of crisis. Ms. Foxx’s response to the genocide in Gaza was her first true test, and she failed it. She avoided taking a clear stance, offering vague and evasive answers instead. Gen Z wants younger leaders, yes, but not ones with no experience, no service, and no demonstrated commitment to fight for justice. We want fighters with proven records of results. That leader is Adelita Grijalva. A leader whose experience is matched by her integrity and who is rooted in this community.

While Deja Foxx is from Tucson, I have yet to see her be part of the community in any meaningful way. Her roots are shallow, shaped more by personal branding than by genuine connection or sustained involvement in any given fight. Her visits to the district are fly-in, strictly performative, and focused more on content creation than constituent engagement. The people of District 7 deserve more.

Ms. Foxx’s campaign reflects the stylized strategies of an Ivy League-trained candidate and lacks the substance, humility, and courage that true public service demands. Where was Ms. Foxx when we were fighting to protect our environment against Oak Flat mining? Where was she when we fought back against racism targeting migrants? I know where Adelita Grijalva was; she was right there, fighting with us.

As a third-year Harvard student, I recognize how the Ivy League can equip students with the tools to appear credible, to package activism into something performative. Something Ms. Foxx has learned well. Representing a movement is more than posting a well-liked video on Instagram; it’s standing firm in unpopular but necessary positions. One viral moment of confrontation does not make you qualified for Congress.

While legacy politics can be problematic, this race presents a different case. We are not dealing with another Mitch McConnell or an entrenched establishment figure. Adelita represents a legacy of accountable, community-rooted leadership. Her longstanding commitment to service reflects real, sustained progress.

If Ms. Foxx were truly more progressive, and if she expressed ideas and policies that were genuinely an alternative to Grijalva, I might consider supporting her. But she is not. What she presents is a mirror of existing political machinery, wrapped in the novelty of youth. That is not enough.

I urge peers and members of my generation to look beyond aesthetics and viral appeal. Leadership is not brand management; it is earned through trust and conviction. While Deja Foxx may represent a demographic, she does not represent us.

That is why I will be voting for Adelita Grijalva, a leader whose experience is grounded in integrity and whose values align with the future we seek to build.