Rep. Raúl Grijalva dies at 77

By Nicholas Wu | 03/13/2025 05:21 PM EDT

Grijalva spent years as chair and ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Raúl Grijalva speaks with reporters.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) speaking with reporters outside the House Democratic leadership elections at the Capitol last year. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Rep. Raúl Grijalva has died at 77, according to a statement from his office. The 12-term Arizona Democrat had been under treatment for cancer.

“Rep. Grijalva fought a long and brave battle,” the statement said. “He passed away this morning due to complications of his cancer treatments.”

The veteran politician had been largely absent from Congress since the beginning of the year due to his health struggles. He was set to retire from the House at the end of this term and had stepped aside from his position as the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee.

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Grijalva is the second House Democrat to die in office this month. Former Rep. Sylvester Turner of Texas died March 5.