LOOKOUT Exclusive: Daniel Hernandez earns key endorsements in congressional bid

Updated: 10:09 a.m. March 28, 2025

Former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, the founder of the Arizona LGBTQ Caucus, has secured major endorsements just days after announcing his campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died earlier this month.

The Victory Fund, a national organization that works to elect LGBTQ+ candidates, Equality PAC, the political arm of the nation’s Congressional Equality Caucus, and Equality Arizona, one of the state’s longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, all plan to announce their support for Hernandez Thursday morning as he enters the July 15 special primary for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.

In a press release shared early with LOOKOUT, Victory Fund President and CEO Evan Low said Hernandez has “been a champion for working families, fighting to create economic opportunity for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. As a proud LGBTQ+ leader and tireless advocate, Daniel’s voice is exactly what Congress needs right now.”

In a separate statement, Equality PAC said Hernandez "has been a champion for expanding access to affordable health care, defending reproductive rights, fighting for the LGBTQ community, and enacting common-sense gun safety measures."

Michael Soto, executive director of Equality Arizona, said Hernandez’s record as a legislator made him a “relentless advocate for equality and opportunity … no matter who they are.”

In response to the endorsements, Hernandez said that as a gay first-generation American, he knew "what’s at stake for our communities.” 

"We need leaders who will fight for our rights, for our health care, and for our
democracy—and I’m ready to do just that in Congress," Hernandez said.

While in the state Legislature, Hernandez worked across the aisle to push for a statewide nondiscrimination law—an effort that ultimately failed—and built a reputation as a moderate Democrat focused on bipartisanship.

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Hernandez officially launched his campaign on Monday and has raised more than $100,000 since then, according to his campaign. The majority of contributions were small-dollar donations under $100.

He enters a crowded field of candidates: 23 people have filed to run for the seat so far, including 10 Democrats, one Green Party candidate, two Libertarians, and 10 Republicans. Among them is Trump-aligned Republican Jorge Rivas, who has been endorsed by Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple.

Hernandez is widely considered the best-known candidate in the race. He first rose to national prominence in 2011 after he was credited with helping save the life of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot at a campaign event. Hernandez was serving as an intern at the time.

He later became the Arizona state director for Everytown for Gun Safety and served in the Arizona House representing southern Arizona. He is part of a well-known political family: his sisters, Consuelo and Alma Hernandez, both serve in the Arizona House, forming a trio of influential Democratic lawmakers.

The special primary election will be held July 15, with the general election set for Sept. 23.