FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aditi Katti
October 5, 2023
Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano Endorses Marlene Galán-Woods
Phoenix, AZ — Today, former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods in her bid for AZ-01 and released the following statement:
“I’m proud to endorse Marlene Galán-Woods for Arizona’s First Congressional District,” Napolitano said. “Marlene’s record of service to Arizona is impressive — from her broadcasting career to her work in the community to helping elect Democrats across the state. I’ve known Marlene for decades and I know she will work tirelessly to defend democracy and work for Arizona families.”
“I am so grateful for Governor Napolitano’s support,” Galán-Woods said. “Governor Napolitano has been an incredible public servant, consistently delivering for Arizona’s working families. She has led the way on key issues like improving public education, supporting our economy, and strengthening our national security. This endorsement from a true Arizona trailblazer means so much.”
Arizona’s First Congressional District has been identified as one of the top pickup opportunities for Democrats to flip the House of Representatives. The Cook Political Report has rated this district a toss-up and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named AZ-01 as one of their top priorities this cycle.
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Marlene Galán Woods is a 35-year Arizona resident, former broadcast journalist and mother of five children. Her parents fled communist Cuba looking for a better life for their children. Their risk paid off when Marlene moved to Arizona in the 1980s— it’s where she began her career as a broadcast journalist, where she met the love of her life, and where they would raise a family together.
While Marlene’s late husband, Grant Woods, served as Arizona’s Attorney General, Marlene was exposing corruption and holding the powerful accountable during her 20-year journalism career.
Outside of their respective careers, Marlene and Grant were dedicated to improving the lives of Arizona children, from serving on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley to spearheading a local tennis tournament that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help underserved kids to helping found the Phoenix Children’s Museum. She is running to be Arizona’s voice — to represent our priorities and protect our freedoms. She will be the courageous, truthful leader Arizona has earned.
Though Marlene’s philanthropic efforts have focused on improving the lives of Arizona’s children, she has a passion for preserving and expanding the individual freedoms of all Arizonans.
She is a lifelong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and couldn’t stand by idly watching ongoing attacks on our voting rights.
In 2022, Marlene chaired the campaign of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and led a group of former journalists in calling out Republican candidates, namely Kari Lake, for their attacks on the media while spreading disinformation. Marlene’s dedication to the preservation of our democracy was recognized by Governor Katie Hobbs’ who invited Marlene to serve on her transition committee.
