Cronkite News: Democratic lawmaker Raúl Grijalva passes on at age of 77

Indianz.Com > News > Cronkite News: Democratic lawmaker Raúl Grijalva passes on at age of 77

Raúl M. Grijalva (1948-2025) served in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 20 years, during which he advocated for tribal issues as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. Seen here at the U.S. Capitol on February 6, 2024, he passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 77. Photo courtesy House Committee on Natural Resources, Democrats

Longtime Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva dead at 77

Thursday, March 20, 2025

By Cronkite News Staff

Cronkite News

cronkitenews.azpbs.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tucson congressman Raúl Grijalva died Thursday, March 13, 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 January 3, the first day of the new Congress.

He was 77.

Tributes poured in.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) 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. [grijalva.house.gov]

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

Note: This story originally appeared on Cronkite News. It is published via a Creative Commons license. Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.