Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has died at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer, his office announced on Thursday.
“Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle,” the statement from his office reads. “He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments.”
At the time of his death, Grijalva was the longest-serving member of the Arizona congressional delegation after being elected in 2003. He was set to retire after serving out his 12th term in Congress, representing Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, after he won reelection in November.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2024, causing him to miss a majority of votes last year and had been largely absent from Congress in 2025.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) launched a bid to challenge Grijalva as the Natural Resources Committee ranking member last year but Grijalva bowed out of the race.
Grijalva served as a former co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and was a longtime member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
He began his career as a community organizer in Tuscon, Arizona, according to his congressional website. For 12 years, from 1974 to 1986, Grijalva served on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board before beginning his tenure on the Pima County Board of Supervisors starting in 1988.
Tributes began to pour in for the late congressman soon after his death was announced.
“Sydney and I are saddened to hear about the passing of our friend Rep. Raúl Grijalva. He was a champion for those in need and dedicated his life to fighting for all Arizonans. He will be missed,” said Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) on X.
Former Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX) died unexpectedly last week, the day after President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.