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Elected officials, government employees and community members will gather at El Casino Ballroom on Wednesday morning to celebrate the legacy of beloved local politician and activist Raúl Grijalva.

Known for his dedication to Southern Arizona, Grijalva left behind a legacy of advocacy for the rights of residents that many say will continue to shape the city for years to come.

Grijalva’s death on March 13 has prompted many residents, including members of the Hispanic community, to reflect on his contributions and the influence of his work.

Local leaders, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, have taken to social media in the weeks since his death to share heartfelt messages and reflect on his impact on their lives and careers.

“He cared deeply for his family, friends and community, always fighting to bring meaningful investments to his district,” Romero wrote. “He worked to ensure that every community member had the same access to amenities and services as the rest of Tucson.”

South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela told Tucson Spotlight that Grijalva was the “first real Latino public servant” she’d heard of, saying his activism and political views greatly influenced her work. Her journey in politics began after she canvassed for his campaign in 2018.

“I’ll always remember his advice to ‘stay radical,’ a principle that continues to guide my work,” she wrote in a post on Instagram. “His legacy of activism will continue to inspire me to fight for a better world.”

Patrick Robles, Southern Arizona director for U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, said that Grijalva inspired generations of public servants, himself included, “to enter spaces as our whole selves ready to advocate for our community.”

“Raúl showed us that true leadership isn’t about fitting into the system—it’s about reshaping it to reflect the needs and values of the people you serve. His work isn’t done, and neither is ours,” Robles wrote on Instagram.

During his time in Congress, Grijalva fought for issues that mattered to Tucson and Southern Arizona, from environmental justice to immigration reform. His influence stretched across a wide range of policies but always focused on elevating the voices of marginalized communities with humility and respect for others.

Andrés Cano, former state legislator and Arizona House Minority Leader, reflected on Grijalva's fierce advocacy for natural resources, public education, health care, and marginalized communities, saying he was a trusted voice for working families.

"His leadership shaped America—not just through legislation, but through his unwavering commitment to justice," Cano wrote on Instagram. "He paved the way for so many, reminding us that our greatest responsibility is to take care of our neighbors, to uplift those without a voice, and to fight—without fear or hesitation—for a more just and equitable future."

Early in his career, Grijalva served on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board from 1974 to 1986, where he championed improvements to bilingual education.

Jacob Hunt, a public school teacher who interned in Grijalva’s district office in 2023, said that the conversations he had with the congressman about education inspired him to advocate for students and educators in every way he could.

“One thing I’ll always carry with me is how Congressman Grijalva made me feel seen and valued,” Hunt said. “Even as an intern, he took the time to connect with me, and when we spoke one-on-one, he genuinely listened and cared.”

Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Adriana Grijalva, Raúl Grijalva’s niece, said her uncle inspired her to get involved in politics and had a tremendous impact on younger generations.

“In his work in education and his efforts for students, he showed that students can go as far as they want to go,” she said, adding that her uncle believed in the potential of young people and wanted them to know they have the power to create change.

She said that even during tough times, her uncle had a way of uniting people.

“He always told me to keep going, don’t give up, and I think that courage is something we need to see in these young students, especially the younger generations, because they are the next voters,” Grijalva said. “I think he wants them to know that they’re not alone and that they have a voice and should use it to fight.”

Grijalva’s funeral will take place Wednesday morning, followed by a celebration of life at El Casino Ballroom.

To celebrate his legacy, local groups, including Reinas Who Hike and FUGA Tucson, are hosting an intentional walk and ride Saturday from El Pueblo Center to San Xavier, inviting the community to reflect on his legacy and continue the work he started.

Isabela Gamez is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at gamezi@arizona.edu.

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