Arizona is mourning the passing of one of its long-serving congressional leaders, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died from complications related to cancer treatment at the age of 77. Fox10 Phoenix reported that Grijalva began his work in public service long before he was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002, serving on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Known for his liberal stances and leadership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Grijalva has made a notable impact on environmental legislation throughout his career.
Rest in peace, Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Your tireless dedication and unwavering advocacy for Southern Arizona leaves behind an enduring legacy for generations to come. https://t.co/u5FwfkRDNQ
— Arizona Secretary of State (@AZSecretary) March 13, 2025
Having stepped down from his Natural Resources Committee leadership role earlier this year, Grijalva had already been preparing for retirement. He announced his diagnosis of cancer in April 2024 but remained active in Congress despite health challenges, having been reelected last year to continue representing Arizona's 7th Congressional District. This district covers an area that spans portions of Phoenix, Tucson, and southeastern Arizona, as per Fox10 Phoenix.
"Congressman Grijalva represented his community fiercely, keeping his constituents and the climate at the center of everything he did," House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said, as stated by AP News. Grijalva was not only an advocate for the environment but also for immigrants and Native American tribes, and he used his position to push for several key pieces of legislation, including efforts to protect the Grand Canyon from mining and to secure funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Tributes continue to pour in, with Sen. Bernie Sanders praising Grijalva as "one of the most progressive members" of the House, and Rep. David Schweikert acknowledging their joint efforts in animal protection issues. Adelita Grijalva, reflecting on her father's legacy, said he was "not a perfect person, but had perfect intentions and wanted to do good," AP News noted.
