Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., has died, his workplace confirmed Tuesday.
Grijalva had served within the Home since 2003 and was a former co-chair of the Home Progressive Caucus. He additionally led the Home Pure Sources Committee for Democrats from 2015 till 2025, together with 4 years as chairman.
Home Pure Sources Chairman Raul Grijalva speaks at a information convention Mar. 28, 2022.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Cal through Getty Photos
“Serving Southern Arizona was the honour of Raúl M. Grijalva’s life,” his workplace mentioned in an announcement confirming his demise. “Having represented our communities for over 50 years was a privilege. We thank all of you for the belief, assist, and the partnership that you simply gave to Rep. Grijalva over time. We’re particularly grateful to Rep. Grijalva’s household for his or her friendship and preserving it ‘all in regards to the love.'”
His demise creates a brand new emptiness within the Home, leaving Democrats with 213 members and Republicans with 218. The easy majority is now 216.
Grijalva is the second Home Democrat within the final eight days who has died. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, died on Wednesday, March 5, the morning after President Donald Trump’s tackle to Congress.
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., mentioned the nation and Congress misplaced a “big” and “mentor” with the demise of Grijalva.
“Congressman Grijalva represented his group fiercely, preserving his constituents and the local weather on the heart of every thing he did,” Jeffries mentioned in an announcement. “He was a mentor to many and a good friend to all, and we are going to miss his principled presence and knowledge tremendously within the Congress.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., now has a two-vote cushion for his majority.
“Home members are saddened to listen to of the passing of Congressman Raul Grijalva, who served his constituents faithfully in Congress for greater than twenty years,” Johnson posted on X. “Our prayers are with Raul’s spouse, Ramona, his three youngsters, and the folks of Arizona’s seventh district.”
Arizona will now maintain a particular election to find out who will fill his seat in Congress for the rest of his time period.
In keeping with Arizona state law, if a seat in Arizona’s U.S. Home delegation is vacated greater than six months out to the final election, then inside 72 hours of the emptiness occurring, the governor of Arizona should set dates for a particular major election and a particular basic election.
State regulation additionally signifies the particular major election should be between 120 to 130 days after the emptiness happens and that the particular basic election should be between 70 and 80 days after the particular major.
ABC Information’ Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.
