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Rep. Raúl Grijalva dead at 77 after battle with cancer

Democratic Representative Raúl Grijalva of Arizona passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 77 after a battle with cancer.

In an official statement, his office confirmed his passing, saying, “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 from his cancer treatments.”

Grijalva, who was first elected to Congress in 2002, was a well-known figure in Democratic politics, particularly for his leadership on environmental and Native American issues. During his tenure, he held key positions on the House Natural Resources Committee, including serving as both chair and ranking member.

With Grijalva’s passing, a special election will be required to fill the vacancy, though details on the process and timeline have not yet been announced.

Despite his death, Grijalva’s congressional office continued its political messaging, issuing a statement on social media shortly after his passing that criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to lay off thousands of employees from the Department of Education.

The post read:

“President Trump’s latest reckless decision to fire thousands of employees at the Department of Education jeopardizes critical student aid programs, weakens protections for students’ civil rights, and undermines essential support for students with disabilities. This move severely threatens every child’s access to a quality education nationwide.

Trump and Musk are prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy over the future of our students. It’s selfish, and it’s illegal. This radical gutting of the Department will mean funding cuts for every student:

– 26 million kids across every school district—rural, suburban, and urban—will lose access to critical funding to help them succeed.

– 12 million students will lose access to career and technical education, including pathways to good-paying jobs through apprenticeship programs in trades and STEM careers.

– 10 million students from low-income families could lose access to higher education.

– 7.5 million students with Individualized Education Plans—accounting for 15 percent of all students nationwide—will lose access to special education services.”

Grijalva, a staunch progressive, was known for his outspoken opposition to Trump’s policies. He previously led protests against the former president in Phoenix, joining demonstrators who accused Trump of promoting white supremacy. In 2017, he attended a rally where activists carried signs reading “#WhiteSupremacy is not welcome here” and “#AZResist.”

Over the years, Grijalva was a vocal advocate for immigration reform, environmental protection, and Indigenous rights. He frequently clashed with Republican lawmakers and was one of the most prominent members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

As Arizona and the nation reflect on his legacy, political leaders from both sides of the aisle are expected to weigh in on his contributions and the impact of his passing on the political landscape.