Back in 2015, it would have been unusual for a president to sit down with an online content creator, but in 2025, influencers are beginning to enter the political arena themselves. Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old social media influencer, is now running for Congress in Arizona. She’s facing off against Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, in a competitive Democratic primary — and polling shows it’s a close race. With nearly 400,000 TikTok followers and past work on Kamala Harris’ campaign, Foxx represents a new kind of candidate: one who’s built her platform online before launching a run for office.

While other influencers have attempted runs in fringe or unlikely districts, Foxx’s campaign feels different as she’s not just bringing followers; she’s bringing political strategy. Experts say the communication skills influencers use to grow their platforms overlap with what candidates need on the trail. Still, name recognition isn’t enough — real political success also takes money, organization, and a clear message. Whether or not Foxx wins, her campaign marks a turning point. As voters increasingly get their news from social media, content creators may start becoming more common on the ballot and not just online.