




Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Current roleBroadcast journalist
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationArizona
BackgroundBroadcast journalist
Notable personal detailsMarlene Galán-Woods is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. She previously worked as a broadcast journalist in Arizona and has been involved in Democratic political campaigns and civic efforts in the state. She is the widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods and is a mother of five.
Supports targeted tax relief for Arizona families and investments in infrastructure and jobs while calling for the wealthiest individuals and big corporations to pay their fair share. Opposes Republican tax cuts for billionaires and supports protecting and restoring Social Security and Medicare funding rather than cutting benefits.
Supports protecting and restoring Medicare and Medicaid, opposing GOP cuts, and funding reproductive and public health services to expand access and lower costs for families.
Supports comprehensive immigration reform that pairs secure borders and increased resources for enforcement (e.g., hiring more judges) with humanitarian measures including a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. Advocates working across the aisle to create a durable immigration solution while emphasizing a system that "lives up to our values."
The candidate supports protecting and restoring abortion access by codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, funding Planned Parenthood, and opposing bans that restrict reproductive health care. The campaign platform frames reproductive decisions as between a patient and their doctor and seeks federal protections for abortion access across states.
Supports investing in clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect air and water, and reduce dependence on foreign oil while creating jobs and lowering costs. Advocates for federal action to mitigate the effects of climate change and boost Arizona’s clean energy economy.
Supports common-sense gun safety measures including expanded background checks and red flag (extreme risk protection) laws while emphasizing community safety and opposing House GOP opposition to such legislation.
Marlene Galán-Woods is in the news because she is in a contested Democratic primary for Arizona's 1st Congressional District. In a recent debate, she defended support from national and state Democrats after her opponent Amish Shah criticized the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's endorsement of her. The primary is set for July 21, with early voting starting June 24.





Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsers of Marlene Galán-Woods for AZ-01 Democratic nominee?
Elected official
State Senator Mitzi Epstein endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods.
Public endorsement
DCCC backed Marlene Galán-Woods in Arizona's 1st Congressional District.
Elected official
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods.
Public figure
Latino Victory Fund endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods in a competitive House district.
2024
LatestCycle 2024
Source: FEC