Grijalva has waited 36 days to be sworn in, longer than any representative-elect in recent memory

As of Wednesday, Democrat Adelita Grijalva has waited 36 days since her special election win to be sworn in to Congress, longer than any other representative-elect in the 21st century.

Grijalva won the election to replace her late father, Raul Grijalva, on Sept. 23. But House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far refused to swear her in, saying he will do so when he calls the House back into session after the end of the government shutdown.

Johnson has declined to swear Grijalva in during several brief so-called pro forma sessions that have taken place in the interim, despite swearing in two Republicans from Florida during similar sessions in the past.

According to data compiled by Bloomberg reporter Greg Giroux, Grijalva has waited longer than any other special election winner since 2001, surpassing California Rep. Jimmy Gonzalez, who was sworn in 35 days after his election win in 2017.

The only exception is former Oklahoma Rep. John Sullivan, who was sworn in 50 days after he won a special election in January 2002 to replace Republican Steve Largent, who resigned to run for governor.

But that delay was largely due to an Oklahoma law allowing that election to take place over a month before Largent officially vacated the seat on Feb. 15, 2002. According to Giroux, Sullivan was sworn in 12 days after the vacancy became official.

Many Democrats have accused Johnson of delaying Grijalva’s swearing in to prevent her from joining an effort to force the release of the Epstein files — allegations Johnson denies.

But Grijalva, her Democratic allies and at least one Republican have criticized Johnson, saying he is denying CD7’s residents their constitutionally-mandated representation in Congress.

Still, Grijalva said she is doing her best to represent the district, saying she is travelling across the district to meet her constituents.

“Speaker Johnson may be blocking my swearing in, but he can’t stop me from showing up for the people of southern Arizona,” Grijalva said in a press release. “Every day that goes by without representation is another day our veterans, seniors and working families are left without a voice in Congress.”

Grijalva and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes have filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to force Johnson to seat Grijalva. That litigation is still pending.