‘A giant’: Arizona politicians react to the death of Rep. Raúl Grijalva

Rep. Raúl Grijalva died Thursday at 77, ending a run of more than two decades spent representing Tucson – or el pueblo, as he would say – in the U.S. House of Representatives. He died of complications from his treatment for lung cancer.

Grijalva was essentially the elder statesman of the Arizona delegation – a uniquely personable, pleasant man who made well with members of Congress on both sides of the aisles.

“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.,” reads a statement written by the congressman’s staff. “Driven by his community values and spirit, he worked tirelessly and accomplished so much – for Arizona and for the country.”

The son of a migrant worker who was part of the Bracero program that brought more temporary laborers legally to the U.S., Grijalva became involved in politics in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a moment of political epiphany for Chicanos and Mexican-Americans. He became the Arizona leader of the Raza Unida Party, which was founded in 1970 and dissolved in 1978. After losing a 1972 school board race, he reshaped the passionate and militant radicalism that alienated him from some voters into a more agreeable, smoother style. He served in elected and public roles for decades, including on the Pima County Board of Supervisors from 1989 to 2002.

Grijalva was first elected to the House in 2002 and died as the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee – a role he held since 2015. For four years, he was the committee’s chair. He was heavily involved in Democratic politics in D.C. and was known to many as a mentor for a generation of leaders. He was also the longest-serving co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, from 2009 to 2019.

Grijalva’s district has been redrawn since he began his time in Congress, but it currently spans much of Southern Arizona – Yuma in the West to Tucson in the East, down south to Bisbee and Douglas, then back up north to Tolleson and Avondale.

Here’s how Arizona politicians reacted to Grijalva’s death.

Gov. Katie Hobbs (Democrat)

I am devastated by the loss of Representative Raúl Grijalva and my heart is with his family and loved ones. To his last day, he remained a servant leader who put everyday people first while in office. I join every Arizonan in mourning his passing. https://t.co/8jTSzdUXxZ

— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) March 13, 2025

Sen. Ruben Gallego (Democrat)