Arizona’s longest tenured congressman makes announcement about his future

PHOENIX – Arizona’s longest tenured congressman announced that 2024 will be his last reelection campaign.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, said he won’t run again in 2026.

“It is my honor and privilege to represent southern Arizona over the past 22 years in Congress. I went into Congress to give a voice to our community that had been too often ignored or dismissed. I’ve stayed true to that mission and I continue to take my commitment to Arizonans, working families and our environment seriously. And part of that commitment is knowing when it’s time to step aside,” the 76-year-old Democrat said in a statement.

Grijalva is facing Republican Daniel Butierez in the Nov. 5 general election in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which spans most of the Arizona-Mexico border and includes sections of Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.

The incumbent is the heavy favorite in a district that leans Democrat by more than 30 percentage points.

How long has Raúl Grijalva been in Congress?

Grijalva was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002 and has served there for 11 terms.

“My work in Congress is not done yet, and I have every intention of using my final term to build on the hard fought wins we’ve had for the environment and southern Arizona. But the time is right for me to get ready to pass the torch to the next generation,” Grijalva said.

Grijalva has remained in Tucson during his fight against an unspecified form of cancer, which he made public in April. Congressional records show that he hasn’t voted in the House since Feb. 15, according to Cronkite News.

In July, he announced that he’d finished treatment and working to get physically stronger.

“My ability to travel to Washington, D.C., is subject to clearance from my doctors, and they are optimistic about that timeline,” he said in at the time.

Raúl Grijalva keeps working during cancer battle

Grijalva has continued working remotely during his treatment and recovery.

In August, he introduced a bill that would create a new national monument near Gila Bend.

Two weeks ago, he announced that 10 Arizona facilities were receiving a total of nearly $6 million in federal funding to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services.

He also made news in July as one of the first congressional Democrats to call on Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his debate performance elevated concerns about his age and cognitive fitness.

“Southern Arizona has been lucky to have Rep. Raúl Grijalva fighting for them for so many years,” fellow Arizona Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego said in a social media post. “His dedication to our state and the people he served is unmatched. Thank you for your service, amigo.”

Related

Arizona congressman introduces bill to create Great Bend of the Gila National MonumentArizona Democratic congressman provides update on his battle with cancerArizona House Democrat calls on Biden to drop out of presidential raceArizona Democratic U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva announces that he's being treated for cancerRetired Gilbert fire captain honored after dying from job-related cancerStorms make way into Valley with strong winds, scattered showers causing power outages