(Photo courtesy of the Raúl Grijalva campaign)
WASHINGTON – Tucson congressman Raúl Grijalva died Thursday after a battle with cancer. Aides announced the death of the 12-term Democrat, a leading voice among progressive Democrats since his election in 2002.
Grijalva had already decided not to seek another term. He returned to the Capitol infrequently after announcing his diagnosis nearly a year ago. His last vote was Jan. 3, the first day of the new Congress.
He was 77.
Tributes poured in.
Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a statement that she was “devastated by the loss.”
Grijalva, she said, “was a true champion for the people of our state. For over two decades, he was a fierce advocate for his constituents and a fighter to uplift Arizona’s most vulnerable communities, with a steadfast focus on ensuring justice for all.”
She cited his work to protect the environment, health care and tribal sovereignty.
“I join every Arizonan in mourning his passing. May he rest in peace,” Hobbs said.
The fight with cancer kept Grijalva at home for much of 2024. Congressional records show he didn’t cast any votes from April through September. His last vote on the House floor.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, who served with Grijalva in the U.S. House until January, called him a friend who used his chairmanship of the House Natural Resources Committee to advocate for Arizona’s water rights, natural beauty and Indigenous communities.
In 2012, supporters urged President Barack Obama to name him Interior secretary.
“He served as a role model to many young people across the Grand Canyon State. He spent his life as a voice for equality,” Gallego said in a statement.
Grijalva is the second House Democrat to die in office this month. First-term Rep. Sylvester Turner, a former mayor of Houston, died March 5 at age 70, hours after President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.
The full statement from Grijalva’s office.
Read more Cronkite News coverage of Grijalva over the years here.