Democrat Special Election Winner Could Force House To Take Up Epstein Files Discharge Petition

Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva comfortably defeated her Republican opponent in a special election in Arizona on Tuesday, giving Democrats enough signatures to force a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein case files when the House resumes legislative business in early October.

A discharge petition offered by Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna that would compel the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files associated with the disgraced financier has stalled in recent weeks as nearly all GOP lawmakers have declined to sign it. Grijalva’s victory to succeed her late father, longtime lawmaker Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva, is expected to deliver the requisite 218th signature to force a vote on releasing the files.

Adelita Grijalva, 54, trounced Republican candidate Daniel Butierez in the heavily Democratic district 68.5% to 29.8% with 87% of the vote in, according to CNN. The Arizona Democrat told reporters before her election victory that she would sign the discharge petition upon being sworn in. The House of Representatives is expected to return to Washington in early October.

“This is as much about fulfilling Congress’ duty as a constitutional check on this administration as it is about demanding justice for survivors,” Grijalva told Politico in an interview. “The days of turning a blind eye to Trump must end.”

A discharge petition is a rarely successful legislative maneuver that allows lawmakers to circumvent leadership and bring legislation to the floor. Lawmakers can trigger a vote on legislation if 218 members — a simple majority — sign the petition.