Raúl Grijalva began his career in public service as a community organizer in Tucson. Four decades later, he continues to be an advocate for those in need and a voice for the constituents of his home community. From 1974 to 1986, Raúl served on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board, including six years as Chairman. In 1988, he was elected to the Pima County Board of Supervisors, where he served for the next 15 years, chairing the Board for two of those years. Raúl resigned his seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2002 to seek office in Arizona’s newly created Seventh Congressional District. Despite a nine-candidate primary and the challenge of being outspent three-to-one by his closest competitor, Raúl was elected with a 20-point victory, thanks to a diverse coalition of supporters that led the largest volunteer-driven election effort in Arizona.
Protecting the civil rights and liberties of all individuals is one of the most important responsibilities for Members of Congress, and one that I take seriously. While some are working to turn back the clock and undo much of the progress our country has seen in the past sixty years, I will continue to work diligently against all forms of discrimination whether in the voting booth, workplace, school, or in public accommodations. We must continue to protect the right to vote, ensure that women are able to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions, work towards closing the gender-pay gap, and limit the use of surveillance into the private lives of the American people.