Arizona Pulitzer-Prize winning political cartoonist Steve Benson has died

PHOENIX — Steve Benson, a Pulitzer-Prize winning political cartoonist who worked for the Arizona Mirror and the Arizona Republic, has died at the age of 71, according to an Arizona Mirror report.

Working since the 1980’s, Benson won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 1993. He was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist four times (1984, 1989, 1992 and 1994). Benson retired last year, per the report.

Benson’s work appeared in several national publications, including The Washington Post, Time Magazine and The New York Times.

Benson’s brother, Michael, who is the incoming president of West Virginia University, paid tribute to his brother on X Wednesday, calling him a “prodigious talent and better human being.”

We’re terribly saddened by the passing of our big brother, Steve Benson. He was a prodigious talent but even better human being. The world saw his work in cartoons published all around the globe, but it was the cards and caricatures he did for friends & family that will be… pic.twitter.com/bhifnIt0Gd

— Michael T. Benson (@michaeltbenson) July 9, 2025

Arizona politicians react to Benson’s death

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also took to X, saying she will remember him as a person “who shared his creativity and wit with us all.”

I’m remembering Steve Benson today, an Arizonan and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist who shared his creativity and wit with us all. pic.twitter.com/OaIfIje6z2

— Katie Hobbs (@katiehobbs) July 9, 2025

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton paid tribute to Benson, as well, saying “Arizona lost a legend.”

Arizona has lost a legend.

Steve Benson’s sharp and irreverent commentary on our state’s colorful politics earned him both a Pulitzer Prize and the grudging respect of politicians on both sides of the aisle—myself included. He’ll be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/SzjoHvnS8M

— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) July 9, 2025

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