Remembering Raúl Grijalva: A Legacy of Advocacy and Leadership

Longtime Representative Raúl Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, passed away on Thursday due to “complications of his cancer treatment,” his office announced. He was 77.

Grijalva, who had served in the House for over two decades, joined Congress in 2002. He was the chair of the Natural Resources Committee and most recently the leading Democrat on the committee. Known for being a prominent progressive voice in Congress, he was the longest-serving co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, holding the position from 2009 to 2019.

He was a senior member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

“He was unwavering in his dedication to implementing enduring environmental policies, famously saying, ‘It’s for the babies.’ He led the Natural Resources Committee boldly and with urgency, understanding the severe consequences of inaction,” his team shared in a statement.

“He firmly believed that regardless of where you come from, one undeniable truth connects us all: everyone deserves the freedom to live a healthy life, and every child deserves a secure and fair chance at their future,” the statement continued.

Grijalva is the second House Democrat to pass away in office this month. First-term Representative Sylvester Turner from Texas died suddenly on March 5 after attending President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress the evening prior.

The Republican majority in the House has been marginally slim this Congress. Grijalva’s death results in Republicans holding 218 seats, leaving the Democrats with 213.

Grijalva represented Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, a vast border area extending from Tucson to Yuma, also including suburbs around Phoenix.

Born in Tucson, Grijalva was the son of a Mexican migrant worker who immigrated to the U.S. through the Bracero labor initiative. He and his wife, Ramona, have three daughters.

He embarked on his public service career in Tucson as a community organizer. He chaired the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board for six years before serving on the Pima County Board of Supervisors for more than a decade.

Grijalva’s health had been declining over the past year. In April, he announced that his doctor had diagnosed him with cancer after seeking medical help for a chronic cough.

“This diagnosis has been challenging to come to terms with,” Grijalva commented at the time, “but I am confident in the robust treatment plan my medical team has crafted, and I’ve begun my journey to combat this cancer.”

Following the November election, six-term Representative Jared Huffman from California unexpectedly contested Grijalva for the leading Democratic role on the Natural Resources Committee. Opting not to contest the position further, Grijalva withdrew and endorsed a fellow Southwestern representative, Melanie Stansbury from New Mexico. Huffman easily won the position.

Grijalva made his last appearance at the Capitol on January 3, for the new Congress’s swearing-in ceremony. He had lost a considerable amount of weight and was in a wheelchair. He missed every House vote from that point onward.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is expected to announce a special election soon to fill the vacant seat. Given that Grijalva’s seat has a strong Democratic base, it’s likely to remain under Democratic control.

The announcement of Grijalva’s death came as House Democrats gathered at their annual policy retreat in Virginia.

At a Progressive Caucus news conference on Thursday, Chairman Greg Casar from Texas described Grijalva as “a champion of the environment and environmental justice” and “a true mentor and friend.”

“I understand the people of Arizona are in deep mourning, and our thoughts are sincerely with his family,” Casar expressed just after the news broke. “As a young Latino in politics, there were few national figures like him to admire, and I was fortunate to serve with him, albeit briefly.”

During his nearly 25 years in Washington, Grijalva championed for the protection of the Grand Canyon, modernization of land entry ports, expansion of healthcare for tribal communities, securing climate change funding, and student loan forgiveness.

In a statement on Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York referred to Grijalva as a “progressive warrior who continuously fought for the least, the lost, and the left behind”, remarking that “Congress, the Caucus, and the country have lost a giant” known for his environmental and climate change efforts.

“As both Chairman and leading Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Grijalva ensured historic investments in our environment and public lands were impactful and just,” Jeffries stated. “Raúl set an example, encouraging those around him to address the climate crisis with urgency, evident in his promotion of the Inflation Reduction Act.”