Rep. Raul Grijalva, a veteran Democratic congressman from Arizona, passed away on Thursday morning, March 13, 2025, at 77 years old, following complications from his lung cancer treatment, his office reported. This news arrives just one week after the death of Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner.
Grijalva, who served Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, had not attended any votes since January 3 and was three months into his 12th term at the time of his death. The progressive lawmaker leaves behind his wife and three daughters.
“Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle,” his office stated. “More than two decades ago, Rep. Grijalva embarked on a journey to be a voice for Southern Arizonans in Washington, D.C. Driven by his community values and spirit, he worked tirelessly and accomplished so much — for Arizona and for the country.”
Grijalva had publicly disclosed an unspecified cancer diagnosis last year but chose to run for reelection in the 2024 primary and general elections, expressing confidence in his treatment. He won decisively against his Republican opponent in the general election.
After his reelection last November, Grijalva promptly stepped down from his role as the leading Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, a position he had held with distinction. As chair, he advocated for environmental protection, enhanced the Endangered Species Act, and introduced legislation to safeguard tribal lands.
Grijalva was recognized for his strong support of environmental causes as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. GovTrack identified him as one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives.
Arizona will conduct a special election to fill his seat. According to state law, the special election process will proceed quickly, with a primary election anticipated in the summer of 2025, followed by the general election a few months later. Given the district’s pronounced Democratic leaning, the Democratic primary is expected to be highly competitive.
Among potential candidates to succeed him are his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, and Tucson, Arizona, Mayor Regina Romero, who is married to one of Grijalva’s longtime aides.
Born in 1948 to an immigrant father and a non-English-speaking mother, Grijalva grew up in Canoa Ranch, Arizona. He attributed his upbringing to providing him with a “political backbone.”
During the 1980s, Grijalva faced challenges with alcohol and participated in a rehabilitation program before returning to college, where he earned a degree in sociology in 1987. This personal challenge was one he overcame through professional help, as noted when the House Ethics Committee cleared him in 2018 of alleged wrongdoing related to a hostile work environment.
Grijalva’s public service career began as a community organizer in Tucson, Arizona, where he advocated for underrepresented communities. He served on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board from 1974 to 1986, including six years as Chairman. In 1988, he was elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where he served for 15 years, chairing the Board for two years.
First elected to the House of Representatives in 2002, Grijalva quickly made a name for himself by opposing the Bush administration’s 2003 invasion of Iraq. Throughout his congressional career, he was known as a forceful advocate for progressive policies, including comprehensive immigration reform, protection of public lands, and workers’ rights.
Grijalva played a key role in creating the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan and was instrumental in establishing the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. He also drafted the Environmental Justice for All Act and secured funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
“He was a forceful fighter,” colleagues noted, especially against efforts to ease environmental regulations during the first Trump administration.
As a sitting congressman, Grijalva remained an ardent critic of President Trump until the end, posting criticism on his X account just two hours before his passing was announced.
Grijalva expressed concern in a statement on his X account, stating that President Trump’s recent decision to terminate thousands of employees at the Department of Education poses a serious threat to vital student aid programs, diminishes safeguards for students’ civil rights, and weakens crucial support systems for students with disabilities. He further criticized Trump and Elon Musk for prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of students’ futures, calling the action both selfish and illegal.
More than a decade ago, in 2013, Grijalva was asked how he wanted to be remembered. “I hope people know that I never gave up,” he said, according to the Arizona Republic.
Widely respected as a mentor to many young progressive leaders, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Grijalva’s passing represents a significant loss for both Tucson, Arizona, and the state of Arizona, where he was renowned for his unwavering commitment to social and environmental justice.