The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Former GOP congressman Jim Kolbe of Arizona dies at 80

During 11 terms in office, he was a social moderate and a fiscal conservative and sparred with fellow Republicans over his strong support of free trade

By
Updated December 4, 2022 at 2:16 a.m. EST|Published December 4, 2022 at 2:08 a.m. EST
Former U.S. congressman Jim Kolbe at his house in Tucson in 2007. (John Miller/AP)
3 min

Jim Kolbe, an Arizona Republican who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 20 years and became an advocate for gay rights, died Dec. 3 at 80.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced the death but did not provide a cause.

Mr. Kolbe served in the Arizona legislature before being elected to the U.S. House in 1984. During 11 terms in office, he was a social moderate and a fiscal conservative and sparred with fellow Republicans over his strong support of free trade. He became chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on foreign operations.