Regina Romero, who called late Rep. Raul Grijalva a friend and mentor, was believed to be a top contender to fill the congressional vacancy.

One of them is state Rep. Alma Hernandez, D-Tucson, who publicly criticized Grijalva's decision to stay in office as his cancer treatment kept him away from Capitol Hill. She and her siblings, Consuelo and Daniel, are a force in Tucson's political establishment, and many expect that one member of the family will run.