Rep. Raul Grijalva, a veteran Democratic congressman from Arizona, passed away on Thursday morning, March 13, 2025, at the age of 77 due to complications from his lung cancer treatment, as announced by his office. His death follows the recent passing of Texas Rep. Sylvester Turner.

Grijalva served Arizona’s 7th Congressional District and had not participated in any votes since January 3, only three months into his 12th term. He 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.”

Last year, Grijalva publicly revealed an undisclosed cancer diagnosis but continued his reelection campaign during the 2024 primary and general elections, remaining hopeful about his treatment. He won decisively against his Republican challenger in the general election.

Following his reelection last November, Grijalva resigned as the leading Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, a role he held with distinction. As chair, he focused on environmental protection, advocated for the Endangered Species Act, and proposed legislation to safeguard tribal lands.

Grijalva was recognized for his fervent 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 process will proceed swiftly, with a primary election anticipated in the summer of 2025 and the general election later in the year. Given the district’s Democratic majority, the Democratic primary is expected to be highly contested.

Potential candidates to succeed him include his daughter, Adelita Grijalva, and Tucson 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 was raised in Canoa Ranch, Arizona. He attributed his upbringing to providing him with a “political backbone.”

In the 1980s, Grijalva dealt with alcohol issues and spent time in a rehabilitation program before returning to college to earn a sociology degree in 1987. He overcame this personal challenge with professional assistance, as noted when the House Ethics Committee cleared him in 2018 of alleged misconduct 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 gained recognition by opposing the Bush administration’s 2003 invasion of Iraq. Throughout his congressional career, he was a strong advocate for progressive policies, including comprehensive immigration reform, protection of public lands, and workers’ rights.

Grijalva played a significant 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, particularly against efforts to relax environmental regulations during the first Trump administration.

As a sitting congressman, Grijalva remained an outspoken critic of President Trump until the end, posting criticism on his X account just two hours before his death 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.