U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva speaking with supporters of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren at a town hall at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Ariz., on Aug. 1, 2019.
This story was updated at 9:35 p.m. on Thursday, March 13.
Congressman Raúl Grijalva, a towering figure in Arizona politics and a longtime advocate for progressive causes, has died at the age of 77. His office confirmed Thursday that it was due to complications from lung cancer treatment.
“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,” his office said in a statement.
Grijalva’s political career began not in Washington, but in Tucson, where he was born in 1948 to Mexican immigrant parents. Through the Bracero Program, Grijalva’s dad worked as a laborer on a rural ranch in Southern Arizona.
“I, myself, am a first generation American,” Grijalva said. “My parents came here seeking a dream not necessarily for themselves, but for their children and they succeeded.”
A sunnyside high school graduate, Grijalva grew up in the barrios of South Tucson, seeing firsthand the struggles of working-class families—an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to social justice. A firm voice in political spaces, Grijalva took pride in being a blunt but honest leader for his district.
“The American people have a tremendous sense of purpose and common sense, and their common sense is about decency and fairness and respect in this country,” Grijalva said during an alternative State of the Union speech in his first term. “I think the stronger our message is, the stronger our common sense is, the stronger we’ll become in this Congress and the bigger effect we’ll begin to have.”
Before his election to Congress, Grijalva spent years working at the local level. First serving on the Tucson Unified School District board to push for bilingual education programs and later as a Pima County Supervisor–a path his daughter Adelita would take after.
“My dad has said 'it's all about the love' for as long as I can remember,” Adelita wrote commemorating her father. “I remember watching him give speeches as a little girl and was just so impressed by him - a feeling that has never changed… It's been my honor to be Raúl Grijalva's daughter - a badge I wear with immense pride…thank you for being my Dad and for showing this world what the son of a bracero and kid from Sunnyside can do when they work hard and dream big.”
Beginning his congressional career after his 2002 election, Grijalva became one of the most progressive voices in the House, co-chairing the Congressional Progressive Caucus and later leading the House Natural Resources Committee.
He stepped down as the top Democrat on the Natural Resources committee earlier this year, after announcing that he planned to retire rather than run for reelection in 2026.
Grijalva announced nearly a year ago that he had been diagnosed with cancer, but would be able to continue his work. Despite missing hundreds of House votes, he sought reelection in 2024 and won easily in one of the most solidly Democratic districts in Arizona.
Taylor McKinnon with the Center for Biological Diversity says Grijalva’s push for conservation and tribal sovereignty were just a few spaces that the Congressman left an impact on.
“Raul's love for people, his love for our public lands, his love for tribes in our region has truly been unmatched among elected officials in our time,” McKinnon said. “His beautiful legacy should inspire a new generation of people to pick up where he's left off.”
In Indian country, former Havasupai tribal councilwoman Carletta Tilousi says his death is felt far and wide. Tilousi worked with Grijalva to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon, which protects nearly one million acres of public lands from uranium mining.
“He shared the struggles of our community, and he heard our voices as tribal leaders and stood next to us,” Tilousi told AZPM News. “The lesson I remember is his kindness, his willingness to talk to even Republicans and other leaders and unite us all together to find a common ground for future generations.”
Former democratic Ohio Representative and Progressive Caucus leader Dennis Kucinich once said Grijalva “has a very powerful and human message that relates to the concerns of not just minorities, but all people.”
A legacy marked by a fervor for change
Grijalva stopped at nothing to advocate for issues that hit close to home, sometimes even facing arrest for protesting his views, like when President Donald Trump canceled protections for Dreamers, undocumented migrants brought to the US as children.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that Congress and the country had “lost a giant” with Grijalva’s death.
“Congressman Grijalva represented his community fiercely, keeping his constituents and the climate at the center of everything he did,” Jeffries added.
Raúl Grijalva’s death marks the end of an era in Arizona politics. But the causes he championed—equity, environmental protection, and the rights of marginalized communities—will continue to shape the region for years to come.
The seat, which represents a district spanning southern Arizona from Tucson to the border with Mexico, will remain vacant until a replacement is selected in a special election later this year.
Statement from the Office of Raúl M. Grijalva
The Office of the 7th District of Arizona is saddened to announce the passing of Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva. Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle. He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments.
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.
From permanently protecting the Grand Canyon for future generations to strengthening the Affordable Care Act, his proudest moments in Congress have always been guided by community voices. He led the charge for historic investments in climate action, port of entry modernization, permanent funding for land and water conservation programs, access to health care for tribal communities and the uninsured, fairness for immigrant families and Dreamers, student loan forgiveness, stronger protections for farmers and workers exposed to extreme heat, early childhood education expansion, higher standards for tribal consultation, and so much more. Some of these victories seemed out of reach when he first came to Congress, but with support from community, colleagues, allies, and staff, he helped make them real.
From Tucson to Nogales and beyond, he worked tirelessly for transformational improvements. Rep. Grijalva pushed for new public parks, childcare centers, health care clinics, local businesses, and affordable housing have breathed new life into neighborhoods across Southern Arizona. Improvements to our roads, bridges, and streetcar system have improved our daily lives and attracted new businesses and industries to the area.
Rep. Grijalva’s passion was not only for his community, but for preservation of the planet. When coming to Congress he was determined to serve on the Natural Resources Committee. He was steadfast in his commitment to produce lasting change through environmental policies -- as he would say, “it’s for the babies.” He led the Natural Resources Committee without fear of repercussion, but with an urgency of the consequences of inaction. In doing so, Rep. Grijalva also had the privilege to stand with communities across the country — from the San Carlos Apache near Oak Flat to the residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley — where residents are bravely fighting for justice after decades of industry pollution and exploitation. Working side by side with former Congressman McEachin and environmental justice advocates across the country, Rep. Grijalva created a community driven approach to drafting The Environmental Justice for All Act, legislation that empowers people to stand up for and protect their communities. His strong belief was that no matter where you're from, one truth unites us all: everyone deserves the freedom to live a healthy life, and every child deserves a safe and fair chance at their future.
Rep. Grijalva expressed his hope that the lessons we’ve discovered along the way will continue to move us forward, not backward. “We cannot back down from addressing the urgency of the climate crisis. We cannot leave the poor to fend for themselves against burgeoning corporate greed. We cannot allow our education, health care, and social security to be sold out so the rich can get richer. We must treat each other with dignity and respect, as neighbors, not enemies. We must preserve our irreplaceable natural heritage for every next generation. We must give every child the opportunity to succeed. And in times of great uncertainty, when we are looking for guidance, we must always remember that the will of the people is the greatest leader, not the leader who imposes his will.”
Rep. Grijalva’s kind and humble nature was known to many. He was approachable by all because he believed people should be treated as equals. He loved to give gifts, blare music in his office, and get to know people for who they are. The Congressman cared deeply for and was proud of his staff, the dedicated public servants who spent 22 years fighting alongside him for the people of Southern Arizona. Together, we helped families get back on their feet and remained a source of help and hope when people had nowhere else to turn. We are heartbroken in the face of this news but determined to carry on his legacy. While the special election is being carried out, our office will continue to provide constituent services.
Serving Southern Arizona was the honor of Raúl M. Grijalva's life. Having represented our communities for over 50 years was a privilege. We thank all of you for the trust, support, and the partnership that you gave to Rep. Grijalva over the years. We are especially grateful to Rep. Grijalva's family for their friendship and keeping it “all about the love.”
With humility and profound gratitude,
The Staff of Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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