Progressive TikTok Star Deja Foxx Suffers Crushing Defeat in Arizona Congressional Race
In a dramatic reality check for the social-media-savvy left, progressive influencer Deja Foxx was soundly defeated in her bid for Congress in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, losing by more than 40 points to a political dynasty that has long dominated the region.
The Associated Press called the race early, declaring victory for 54-year-old Adelita Grijalva with only 65% of votes counted. Grijalva, a longtime Pima County Supervisor and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, ultimately won 62% of the vote, leaving Foxx with just 21%, according to Trending Politics.
For many on the progressive left, the result was a sobering moment. Foxx, 25, had attempted to leverage her digital fame and activist credentials to unseat a powerful political name, garnering endorsements from David Hogg and the PAC Leaders We Deserve.
From TikTok to the Ballot
Foxx, who boasts nearly 400,000 followers on TikTok, only became eligible to run for Congress in April, making her entry into politics a very recent development. Her campaign emphasized her “lived experience,” including a childhood in Section 8 housing, reliance on food stamps, and early advocacy for abortion access.
Despite her compelling personal narrative and strong social media presence, the strategy failed to resonate with voters. Grijalva, with deep local roots, established name recognition, and broad party support, remained the clear favorite throughout the race. She had backing from national figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Arizona senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, which helped cement her advantage.
After the loss, Foxx attempted to frame the result as a “moral victory,” highlighting the grassroots energy her campaign generated.
“I couldn’t be prouder of what we built together,” Foxx said. She reflected on starting “alone in my bedroom” and creating a movement that “shattered expectations.”
Still, the numbers made the outcome undeniable. “She lost by 40,” noted one user on X, quoting a Politico headline that had once suggested Foxx might have a “real shot.”
Money and Messaging
Foxx raised over $670,000, primarily from small-dollar donors, and attempted to reinvent field campaigning through social media platforms rather than traditional grassroots outreach. However, in a district where voters were familiar with the Grijalva family legacy, Foxx’s digital-first approach was not enough to overcome decades of local political influence.
Interestingly, both candidates shared nearly identical progressive platforms—supporting Medicare for All, tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, and opposing Donald Trump—but voters opted for the familiar, trusted name over a TikTok celebrity.
Grijalva acknowledged the historic weight of her family’s political legacy in her victory speech:
“This is a victory not for me, but for our community and the progressive movement my dad started in Southern Arizona more than 50 years ago,” she said.
“We delivered a message rooted not just in fighting back against a dangerous and tyrannical administration—but in fighting for something: for our democracy, for the dignity of working people, and for the values that truly define Southern Arizona.”
The Progressive Left Looks to New York
While Foxx’s defeat may be a setback for social-media-driven activism, progressives elsewhere are gearing up for new battles. In New York, Democratic Socialists and progressive allies are reportedly considering primary challenges against House Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The momentum comes after Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Ugandan-born Democratic Socialist from Queens, won a decisive victory over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary. Mamdani’s win could make him the city’s first Muslim mayor, while signaling the growing influence of the far-left within the Democratic Party.
Following his victory, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) emphasized that the movement extends beyond any single election:
“This movement is bigger than one person, election, city, or organization. We encourage all people inspired by the Zohran campaign to join their local DSA or YDSA chapter and get involved so we can continue to fight alongside Zohran and DSA elected officials across the country to create the future we all deserve.”
Now, the DSA reportedly considers targeting other prominent House Democrats in New York City, including Reps. Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman, and Yvette Clarke, as they look to further shift the Democratic Party leftward.
While Foxx’s loss in Arizona may have been a stark reminder that TikTok fame doesn’t automatically translate to votes, the progressive movement continues to find new avenues for influence, particularly in urban areas with strong activist networks. The Arizona race demonstrates both the limits of digital popularity in electoral politics and the enduring power of name recognition and established political machinery in shaping election outcomes.