Spotlight Shift: Rising Stars Daring to Outshine Trump in 2025 (4 of 4)

Adelita Grijalva

In Arizona, Adelita Grijalva stepped into the national spotlight following the death of her father, longtime Congressman Raul Grijalva. Winning the 2025 special election for Arizona’s 7th District, she now represents a new generation of progressive Latinx leadership in the Southwest. Her early agenda centers on environmental justice, tribal sovereignty, and education equity—issues that resonate deeply in her Tucson-based district. Her quick transition from local public service to Congress has drawn comparisons to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s meteoric rise, marking her as one to watch as she builds her own political identity while honoring her family’s legacy.

Justin Pearson

Tennessee lawmaker Justin Pearson first made national headlines in 2023 as one of the “Tennessee Three,” a trio of Democratic representatives expelled for protesting gun violence. His reinstatement and subsequent rise as a national voice for racial and social justice have since propelled him into a congressional bid against longtime Democrat Steve Cohen. Pearson’s campaign challenges not just Republicans but also Democratic complacency, calling for stronger voting rights protections, economic equity, and criminal justice reform. His charisma, grassroots organizing background, and moral clarity have made him a symbol of generational defiance in Southern politics.