Former U.S. Congressman Jim Kolbe speaks to Arizona Public Media for the Feb. 9 episode of Arizona 360.
Former Congressman Jim Kolbe died Saturday at age 80.
Kolbe served in the Legislature and was first elected to the U.S. House in 1984 after an unsuccessful run in 1982. Kolbe served 11 terms and announced in 2005 that he would not run for reelection the next year.
Gabrielle Giffords was elected to succeed him
He was a moderate Republican who earned praise and respect from both sides of the political aisle.
“Pima County and Southern Arizona could always count on Jim Kolbe. Whether when he was in the state Legislature or in the Congress…the man from Patagonia always acted in the best interests of Southern Arizona. Jim was old school Republican in the mold of Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower – a friend of business and the environment,” Sharon Bronson, the Democratic Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors wrote on Twitter Saturday afternoon.
Governor Doug praised Kolbe’s dedication to serving the nation as a Navy veteran and the state.
“He once said he was “born for the job.” He certainly was and Arizona is better for it. Our thoughts are with his husband Hector, family, friends, and colleagues. Rest in peace, Congressman,” Ducey wrote on Twitter after Kolbe’s passing.
Ducey ordered flags at state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of Kolbe.
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