The Republican Party in Arizona snubbed his challenger, but Congressman Raul Grijlava faced the stiffest opposition he has had in years. Grijalva, Co-Chair of the Progressive Congressional Caucus, faced immigrant turned activist Republican Gabby Saucedo Mercer.
Grijalva has lost much of his support over time due to the oppressive control he has over the residents of his district. However, the Arizona GOP, under the leadership of Robert Graham, a John McCain acolyte, refused to provide any meaningful assistance to Saucedo Mercer.
Saucedo Mercer, a not ready for prime time candidate, has won much support with traditionally conservative Catholic democrats in the heavily Hispanic district.
The fight between Saucedo Mercer and the Republican Party establishment served to shed light on the ugly under belly of the old time John McCain country clubbers, who control the party apparatus in Arizona . While the Republican grassroots strongly supported Saucedo Mercer, the establishment has not supported Hispanic candidates for the most part.