Guests - Ava Chen, Yvette Serino, Lori Moore

Congressional District 7: Daniel Butierez’s Path to the Ballot

In Arizona’s Congressional District 7 (CD7), a special election is underway following the passing of Congressman Raul Grijalva on March 13, 2025. Daniel Butierez, a Republican candidate, is positioning himself as the frontrunner after challenging the validity of his opponents’ petition signatures. Campaign manager Yvette Serrano provides details on the legal action and why Butierez is the right choice for this diverse, border-heavy district.

Legal Challenge to Opponents’ Signatures

On April 22, 2025, Butierez’s campaign, represented by attorney Tim LaSota, filed a relief injunction in Maricopa County Superior Court to disqualify two Republican rivals, Hector Arreola and Jimmy Rodriguez. The challenge targets discrepancies in their petition signatures, a critical requirement for ballot eligibility in CD7.

Arreola submitted 710 signatures, but the campaign alleges only 168 were valid—far below the required 568. Rodriguez submitted 640 signatures, with 398 deemed invalid, leaving him with 242, also short of the threshold. Butierez, by contrast, submitted 1,121 signatures, comfortably securing his place. Serrano emphasizes that these discrepancies reflect a lack of seriousness and integrity, qualities essential for congressional office.

The legal process now awaits a response. Arreola and Rodriguez can either contest the challenge or withdraw. A judge will set a hearing within 10 days, and all relevant counties have been notified. Serrano laments the reputational damage to Republicans and Latinos, noting that such oversights undermine trust in the electoral process. She credits Butierez’s meticulous preparation, driven by his commitment to election integrity, for uncovering these issues.

Why CD7 Needs a Republican Voice

CD7, stretching along the U.S.-Mexico border, encompasses parts of Pima, Maricopa, Pinal, Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties, including three ports of entry. With a 60% Hispanic population, it’s a diverse district historically dominated by Democrats. Serrano argues that it’s time for a change, particularly given the district’s economic and security challenges.

Border security is paramount. Serrano highlights the need for a congressman who will work with President Trump to fully secure the border, combat fentanyl trafficking, and support local law enforcement. She notes that Democratic mayors in border communities are open to collaborating with a Republican like Butierez, who has a track record of building bipartisan relationships. His ability to work across aisles, she argues, makes him uniquely suited to address the district’s needs.

Economically, CD7 has long been one of the nation’s poorest districts, plagued by exploitation and, during the 2008 mortgage crisis, rampant fraud. Serrano envisions Butierez bringing jobs and investment to boost tourism, commerce, and infrastructure. By aligning with Trump’s economic policies, he could transform the district’s prospects, ensuring residents can thrive without leaving for opportunities elsewhere.

Butierez’s Vision and the Special Election

Butierez, who ran against Grijalva in the last election, was prepared for this moment, anticipating Grijalva’s declining health. Serrano praises his proactive approach, contrasting it with opponents who failed to vet signatures properly. She rejects claims, such as those from Grijalva’s daughter Adelita, that the seat belongs to any individual or party. “This is the people’s seat,” Serrano insists, emphasizing that Butierez must earn it through integrity and hard work.

The special election, set for September 23, 2025, will fill the seat until the end of 2026, a partial term requiring the winner to campaign again almost immediately. Serrano sees this as an opportunity for CD7 to test Republican leadership. With Republican sheriffs in Maricopa, Pinal, Cochise, and Yuma counties, and a recall effort against the Democratic sheriff in Santa Cruz, the region is trending conservative. Butierez, a Hispanic candidate with deep community ties, is well-positioned to capitalize on this shift.

Serrano’s personal story adds weight to her advocacy. Raised Democrat in Nogales, she knew Grijalva and his predecessor, Mo Udall, but switched parties, inspired by her grandfather’s belief in supporting candidates based on character, not party. She sees Butierez as embodying this principle, ready to unite the district and deliver results.

Looking Ahead

If the court upholds the challenge, Butierez could be the sole Republican on the CD7 ballot, facing Democratic contenders in a district ready for change. Serrano urges voters to see beyond party lines, focusing on Butierez’s commitment to border security, economic growth, and community empowerment. As the legal process unfolds, his campaign remains steadfast, confident that integrity will prevail in this critical race.

Education in Tucson: The Fight Against DEI

Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) faces a pivotal moment as federal funding hangs in the balance over its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Lori Moore, a former educator and activist, joins host Kathleen Winn to discuss the district’s compliance with new federal mandates and the broader battle to protect children from indoctrination.

TUSD’s DEI Compliance: A Fragile Promise

On April 15, 2025, TUSD’s board unanimously signed a compliance letter to preserve $72 million in federal funding—7-8% of its budget—tied to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The letter pledges to avoid DEI practices, which the federal government deems discriminatory based on race, color, or national origin. However, Moore is skeptical, suspecting TUSD may try to skirt the mandate.

Just days before signing, TUSD’s website and handbook rebranded DEI as “EDI” (equity, diversity, inclusion), a semantic dodge that Moore finds deceptive. She believes the district’s leadership, entrenched in progressive policies, may challenge authorities to prove non-compliance. With a $8.6 million budget shortfall driven by a 50% enrollment drop, TUSD cannot afford to lose federal funds, yet Moore warns that arrogance may lead them to test the limits.

The Role of Activists and Parents

Moore, alongside other activists, is mobilizing to hold TUSD accountable. On April 25, 2025, they plan to scour school websites for evidence of DEI-related content, reporting violations to Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Horne, who attended a community meeting in Tucson on April 21, has committed to investigating non-compliance, supported by a dedicated investigator. Moore encourages parents and grandparents to visit classrooms, review curricula, and check library books for inappropriate material, emphasizing that vigilance is key.

The stakes are high. TUSD’s declining enrollment reflects parental frustration with policies prioritizing ideology over academics. Many are turning to empowerment scholarship accounts (ESAs), charter schools, or homeschooling to escape what Moore calls a “woke agenda.” She cites drag queen shows, LGBTQ clubs like Q Space, and sexually explicit books as examples of overreach that have no place in schools.

The Broader Battle: Protecting Childhood Innocence

Moore aligns with Kimberly McAllister, a Tucson mother of seven who hosted Horne’s meeting at The Bridge Church. McAllister argues that topics like gender and sexuality belong to families, not schools, and sees the anti-DEI executive order as a tool to reform a broken system. Moore agrees, noting that Arizona’s state standards do not mandate teaching gender or sexuality, yet schools have pushed these topics, often under the guise of inclusivity.

The activist cites a long history of indoctrination, recalling Scholastic Book Club’s inclusion of titles like My Two Dads in the 1980s. The Biden administration, she argues, accelerated this trend, turning schools into battlegrounds for cultural issues. Books like Let’s Talk About It and A Field Guide to the F-Word, available in public and school libraries, contain graphic content Moore deems inappropriate for teens, let alone younger students. She’s pushing for taxpayer-funded libraries to restrict such materials, framing it as protecting childhood innocence, not censorship.

Academic Decline and Solutions

TUSD’s focus on DEI has coincided with academic struggles. Moore laments that many students can’t read or write at grade level, yet schools prioritize social issues over core subjects. She attributes part of the problem to overreliance on technology, like AI-driven tools, which she believes stifles critical thinking. Instead, she advocates for traditional methods: small-group instruction, paper-and-pencil work, and memorization to master basics like multiplication.

The COVID-19 shutdowns, which closed schools for two years, exacerbated learning loss, and Moore questions how districts spent relief funds. She sees hope in Horne’s focus on improving test scores and math/science proficiency but stresses that removing DEI distractions is essential. Parents, she argues, must take an active role, visiting classrooms and demanding transparency to ensure schools prioritize education over ideology.

A Call to Action

Moore’s message is clear: parents and grandparents must reclaim their schools. By monitoring websites, libraries, and curricula, they can hold districts like TUSD accountable. The $72 million in federal funds serves as leverage, but Moore believes true change requires grassroots pressure. She envisions a future where Arizona’s schools, backed by a conservative governor, pass legislation to protect students and restore academic rigor.

As Tucson navigates this turning point, Moore remains optimistic. With activists like her and parents like McAllister leading the charge, the fight to make schools safe, focused spaces for learning is gaining momentum. The question is whether TUSD will genuinely reform or continue to play word games, risking funds and trust in the process.