Political Notebook: Mystery PAC comes out supporting Deja Foxx

There’s a new twist in the mystery of “Tucson Families Fed Up,” a political action committee that entered the Congressional District 7 race in June.

The one thing for sure at that time was that this mystery PAC, with no known ties to Tucson outside of its name, opposed Adelita Grijalva.

The PAC put $94,085 toward texts, mailers and online ads opposing Grijalva’s candidacy.

Now we know who they are pushing for, and it’s not Daniel Hernandez Jr. as many initially suspected.

A new mailer came out this week from the PAC supporting Deja Foxx, the 25-year-old newcomer.

“Deja Foxx is the clear choice for Progressive Arizonans,” the mailer says on the front side, while on the back side laying out the case for her versus Adelita Grijalva.

Grijalva addressed the mailer's claims about her in a social media post, saying the attacks against her are "slanderous, misleading and desperate."

It’s unclear whether the people behind the PAC really support Foxx or are just chaos merchants whose main goal is to hurt Grijalva’s chances.

A new poll, promoted by Foxx’s team, could bolster the latter hypothesis. It suggests Foxx has surged into second place, now that she has TV ads and mailers to go along with her social-media presence.

A polling memo from Change Research, the firm hired for the poll, says that in a mid-May survey, Grijalva was in first place with 41%, Hernandez in second place with 16% and Foxx in third at 10%.

The new poll of 540 likely voters, using the same methodology, has Grijalva in first place with 43%, Foxx in second with 35% and Hernandez in third at 9%.

The memo also emphasizes Foxx’s case for the nomination — being against the “establishment.”

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“With momentum on her side, Deja Foxx poses a significant threat to establishment favorite Adelita Grijalva,” the memo says.

The poll was compiled through targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, by using Facebook’s ad platform, and through text messages sent to cell phone numbers of registered voters considered likely to cast a ballot.

More outside spending

Foxx also received her first support from outside spending. A committee called L PAC reported spending $25,003 on advertising in support of her.

Grijalva, who had previously received $388,277 in supportive spending from outside groups, has received more, too. The Working Families Party PAC, which had already spent $127,000 supporting her, has put in another $39,500 on TV and digital ads.

It’s unclear whether the spending by Tucson Families Fed Up on the mailer supporting Foxx is from a new round or the previously reported spending.

Park could be named for Grijalva

A Tucson park could be named after the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died March 13.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said during a groundbreaking ceremony at Mission Manor Park, 6100 S. 12th Ave., that she will seek to rename the park after Grijalva.

Vice Mayor and Ward 1 council member Lane Santa Cruz reported the proposal in her June 27 newsletter.

“His vision and passion for the Southside helped bring in critical federal funds to make the Aquatic Center a reality,” Santa Cruz said. “This center is a tribute to his legacy and all the hard work he did for us.”

Members of Arizona’s congressional delegation are already pursuing naming the federal building in downtown Tucson, 300 W. Congress, after Grijalva as well.