Democratic U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona passed away on Thursday due to complications from cancer treatments, his office confirmed. He was 77 years old and had dedicated much of his 12 terms in Congress to environmental protection.
Grijalva served as the chair of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and was a prominent figure on the committee until earlier this year. He had been absent from Congress for several months while undergoing treatment for cancer. His office released a statement highlighting his commitment to community voices, noting his significant achievements, including the permanent protection of the Grand Canyon and efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act.
Grijalva was first elected to the House in 2002 and was known for his liberal leadership. He led the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 2008 and focused much of his work on environmental issues. Earlier this year, he announced plans to retire and would not seek reelection in 2026.
Despite his health challenges, Grijalva won reelection easily last year in a solidly Democratic district. His seat will remain vacant until a special election later this year, which is expected to be competitive. Potential candidates include his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, both of whom are closely associated with him.
Senator Ruben Gallego, a fellow Democrat from Arizona, expressed his condolences, stating that Grijalva was not only a colleague but also a friend and a role model for many young Latinos in the state. Grijalva began his career as a community organizer in Tucson and served on the local school board before joining the Pima County Board of Supervisors.
Throughout his tenure, Grijalva worked on key issues, such as securing water supplies for drought-stricken areas and advocating for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. He played a crucial role in passing significant legislation, including the National Landscape Conservation System Act and the Federal Lands Restoration Act, under President Barack Obama.
In recent years, he pushed for the establishment of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon to protect the area from uranium mining and to honor the requests of Native American tribes seeking to safeguard their ancestral lands. He also opposed plans for a major copper mine in southern Arizona.
Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican from Arizona, remembered Grijalva as kind and humorous, noting their collaboration on animal protection issues. Grijalva’s passing marks a significant loss for his community and the environmental causes he championed throughout his career.