In a poignant gathering, Tucson residents came together on Sunday evening to hold a candlelight vigil for Congressman Raúl Grijalva, reflecting on his impactful life and legacy. The respected southern Arizona leader and Tucson native passed away last Thursday at the age of 77, following his courageous battle with lung cancer.
Among those who guided the attendees in lighting candles was his daughter, Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva. She expressed her desire for her father’s legacy to inspire ongoing action. “You know my dad … really didn’t want us all crying, and praying rosaries over him, he really wanted us to do something,” she shared from the podium. “So hope that we take all of this love and energy right now, hug each other, cry, because I think that’s cathartic and important, but also think about what we can do in our own lives to continue the legacy, the huge legacy that my dad has left all of us.”
Grijalva’s career in Congress spanned over two decades, where he was a leading voice on issues such as tribal rights, environmental justice, immigration, and mining reform. He notably chaired the U.S. House Resources Committee from 2018 to 2023.
Pascua Yaqui Vice Chairman Peter Yucupicio highlighted Grijalva’s contributions to tribal recognition, an effort initiated by former Pascua Yaqui leader Ancelmo Valencia. “To get us to where we are recognized, that the Yaqui have been here in this part of the world for thousands of years. Ancelmo Valencia had David and Mo Udall, I simply had Raúl Grijalva,” Yucupicio remarked. “He has made a ton of difference, not only for humans, but for the animals, for the mountains that we treasure, for the skies that we breathe.”
The vigil also featured speakers such as Angela Valenzuela from the League of United Latin American Citizens’ National Task Force on Higher Education, Dan Eckstrom, who once served alongside Grijalva on the Pima County Board of Supervisors, and Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose.
After revealing his lung cancer diagnosis last spring, Grijalva had announced he would not run for re-election in 2026. In the wake of his passing, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero confirmed she would not seek to fill his congressional seat, while Adelita Grijalva plans to announce her decision regarding candidacy after her father’s funeral services next week.
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