(Reuters) – Democratic U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva, who represented Arizona for more than 20 years, died on Thursday at the age of 77 due to complications from cancer treatments, his office said in a statement.
“More than two decades ago, Rep. Grijalva embarked on a journey to be a voice for Southern Arizonans in Washington, D.C.,” the statement said. “Driven by his community values and spirit, he worked tirelessly and accomplished so much — for Arizona and for the country.”
Grijalva’s death will temporarily increase the Republicans’ slim House majority to 218-213, with four vacancies.
A special election for Grijalva’s replacement will have to be held to fill the vacancy.
(Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Scott Malone)
