The environmental protection on the oil and gas industry and long -standing champion Raúl Grijalva died at the age of 77 due to complications from cancer treatment.
Arizona Congressman, who served in the US House of Representatives for more than two decades, died on Thursday, according to reports by AP and Reuters.
His office said, “More than twenty years ago, Grijalva launched a mission to become a voice of southern Arizonans in Washington.” “Inspired by his deep civilian values and unwavering spirit, he worked tirelessly and achieved a lot for Arizona and the nation.”
Special election to fill the vacant seat
Grizzalwa’s passing temporarily increases the Republican majority in the House to 218–213, with four seats vacant. Reuters said that there would be a special election to fill his seat.
A Mexican immigrant, Grizzalwa’s son was first elected to the Congress in 2002. During his career, he was a prominent person on environmental issues, serving in the House Natural Resources Committee. He was a strong lawyer for the safety and difficult rules of endangered species on fossil fuel industries.
According to AP, in April last year, Grijalva announced his cancer diagnosis, but committed to the duties of his Congress, according to AP, conducted re -election without any difficulty.
After the first presidential debate between the then President Joe Biden and Donald Trump in July, Grijalva became the second Democratic Congressman to urge Biden to withdraw Biden from the race.
Source: REUTERS
