Deja Foxx is a 25-year-old Filipino American activist, strategist, and digital influencer from Tucson, Arizona. She gained national attention at 16 when she confronted Senator Jeff Flake over his stance on defunding Planned Parenthood, leading to her recognition as a prominent reproductive rights advocate.
Raised in Section 8 housing and relying on public assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid, Foxx’s personal experiences with poverty and homelessness have deeply influenced her activism. She attended Columbia University on a full scholarship, becoming the first in her family to graduate college.
In 2019, Foxx founded GenZ Girl Gang, a digital community aimed at redefining sisterhood and empowering young women. She also served as an influencer and surrogate strategist for Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign, becoming one of the youngest presidential campaign staffers in modern history.
In 2025, Foxx ran in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District following the death of Representative Raúl Grijalva. Despite a surge in support and endorsements from progressive PACs, she finished second in the primary with 20.6% of the vote, losing to Adelita Grijalva.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Family
Deja Cherise Operana-Foxx was born on April 18, 2000, in Tucson, Arizona. She was raised by her mother, Lisa Foxx, and spent her early years in Section 8 housing. The family relied on public assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid to make ends meet. Foxx’s upbringing in a low-income household profoundly shaped her understanding of systemic inequalities and fueled her passion for social justice.
Education
Foxx attended University High School in Tucson, where she was actively involved in student activism. During her senior year, she became a founding member of El Rio Community Health Center’s Reproductive Health Access Project, which aimed to provide reproductive healthcare to young people in the Tucson area. She won a Community Innovation Award from the Society for Science in 2018 for a study exploring the frequencies and relationships of age, race, insurer, and BMI to the rate of C-sections.
In 2018, Foxx began studying political science at Columbia University in New York City, where she had a full scholarship. She made the dean’s list for her academic performance and later became a race and ethnicity major. She graduated in 2023, becoming the first in her family to attend and graduate from college.
Career and Activism
Early Activism
Foxx’s activism began at a young age. In 2017, at the age of 16, she confronted Senator Jeff Flake during a town hall meeting in Mesa, Arizona, challenging his stance on defunding Planned Parenthood. Her poignant question, “Why would you deny me the American dream?” garnered national attention and marked the beginning of her public advocacy for reproductive rights.
GenZ Girl Gang
In 2019, Foxx founded GenZ Girl Gang, a digital community aimed at redefining sisterhood and empowering young women. The platform sought to translate the idea of solidarity into a digital space, recognizing that more and more young people were spending their time online. In 2024, she won an award from the Muhammad Ali Center for founding GenZ Girl Gang.
Kamala Harris Campaign
Foxx’s political career took a significant turn when she joined Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign as a full-time staff member. She took a leave of absence from college and moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to focus on digital organizing and messaging. She described her role as “influencer and surrogate strategist,” utilizing her social media presence to engage young voters. After Harris withdrew from the election, Foxx created a digital campaign for Ignite the Vote, a get-out-the-vote organization.
Advocacy and Recognition
Foxx’s advocacy extended beyond electoral politics. In June 2022, she was arrested during a protest in Washington, D.C., against the reversal of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. The protest was organized by the Center for Popular Democracy, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and the Working Families Party. Foxx was arrested alongside 180 others.
In 2023, she won a Global Citizen Prize for her work in reproductive and sexual health advocacy. She also spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where she focused on reproductive rights and student debt. In her speech, she proclaimed, “We need Kamala Harris.”
2025 Arizona Congressional Race
Announcement and Campaign
On April 2, 2025, Foxx announced her candidacy for the special election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, following the death of Representative Raúl Grijalva. She explained that her “lived experience differentiates me from people in the field” and emphasized the need for young people with a real sense of urgency in politics. She described her campaign as either “crashout or Congress.”
Campaign Strategy
Foxx’s campaign was characterized by its digital-first approach. She utilized social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to engage with voters, particularly young people. Her campaign was bolstered by endorsements from progressive PACs such as LPAC, ASPIRE PAC, and Leaders We Deserve PAC, led by activist David Hogg. She raised more than $600,000, with the majority of her funding coming from small donors.
Polling and Election Results
In late June 2025, a poll placed Foxx second in the race with 35% support, a 25% increase from mid-May. However, in the July 15 Democratic primary, Foxx secured 20.6% of the vote, finishing second to Adelita Grijalva, who received 62% of the vote. Despite the loss, Foxx’s campaign demonstrated the potential for Gen Z candidates to influence political discourse through digital engagement.
Personal Life
Family
Foxx was raised by her mother, Lisa Foxx, in Tucson, Arizona. She has spoken openly about her experiences growing up in a low-income household and how those experiences shaped her understanding of systemic inequalities.
Relationships
As of now, Foxx is not married and has not publicly disclosed any romantic relationships. She maintains a private personal life, focusing her public persona on her activism and political endeavors.
Interests
Outside of her political work, Foxx is interested in fashion and modeling. In 2018, she was named as a face of Rebecca Minkoff bags as part of the “I Am Many” campaign. In May 2019, she was named a MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam ambassador, a lipstick brand that donates the proceeds of its sales to fighting HIV/AIDS. Foxx has said she uses style “as a way to push against traditional notions of respectability, professionalism, and what it means to really own my body.”
Net Worth
As of 2025, Deja Foxx’s estimated net worth is not publicly disclosed. Her income primarily stems from her activism, social media presence, and speaking engagements. She has not reported significant earnings from modeling or other ventures.
FAQs
What is Deja Foxx’s full name?
Her full name is Deja Cherise Operana-Foxx.
When was Deja Foxx born?
She was born on April 18, 2000.
Where did Deja Foxx grow up?
She grew up in Tucson, Arizona.
What is Deja Foxx’s educational background?
She graduated from Columbia University in 2023 with a degree in political science.
What political office did Deja Foxx run for in 2025?
She ran for the U.S. House seat representing Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.
Did Deja Foxx win the 2025 primary election?
No, she finished second in the Democratic primary to Adelita Grijalva.
What is GenZ Girl Gang?
It is a digital community founded by Foxx to empower young women and redefine sisterhood.
Has Deja Foxx been involved in any protests?
Yes, she was arrested during a protest in Washington, D.C., in June 2022 against the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Has Deja Foxx worked with any political campaigns?
Yes, she worked as an influencer and surrogate strategist for Kamala Harris’s 2020 presidential campaign.
