Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., has died, his office confirmed Tuesday.
Grijalva had served in the House since 2003 and was a former co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus. He also led the House Natural Resources Committee for Democrats from 2015 until 2025, including four years as chairman.
House Natural Resources Chairman Raul Grijalva speaks at a news conference Mar. 28, 2022.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Cal via Getty Images
“Serving Southern Arizona was the honor of Raúl M. Grijalva’s life,” his office said in a statement confirming his death. “Having represented our communities for over 50 years was a privilege. We thank all of you for the trust, support, and the partnership that you gave to Rep. Grijalva over the years. We are especially grateful to Rep. Grijalva’s family for their friendship and keeping it ‘all about the love.'”
His death creates a new vacancy in the House, leaving Democrats with 213 members and Republicans with 218. The simple majority is now 216.
Grijalva is the second House Democrat in the last eight days who has died. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, died on Wednesday, March 5, the morning after President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the country and Congress lost a “giant” and “mentor” with the death of Grijalva.
“Congressman Grijalva represented his community fiercely, keeping his constituents and the climate at the center of everything he did,” Jeffries said in a statement. “He was a mentor to many and a friend to all, and we will miss his principled presence and wisdom greatly in the Congress.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., now has a two-vote cushion for his majority.
“House members are saddened to hear of the passing of Congressman Raul Grijalva, who served his constituents faithfully in Congress for more than two decades,” Johnson posted on X. “Our prayers are with Raul’s wife, Ramona, his three children, and the people of Arizona’s 7th district.”
Arizona will now hold a special election to determine who will fill his seat in Congress for the remainder of his term.
According to Arizona state law, if a seat in Arizona’s U.S. House delegation is vacated more than six months out to the general election, then within 72 hours of the vacancy occurring, the governor of Arizona must set dates for a special primary election and a special general election.
State law also indicates the special primary election must be between 120 to 130 days after the vacancy occurs and that the special general election must be between 70 and 80 days after the special primary.
ABC News’ Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.