FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aditi Katti, [email protected]
April 9th, 2024
Marlene Galán-Woods Statement on Arizona Supreme Court Abortion Ruling
Phoenix, AZ — Today, Democratic congressional candidate Marlene Galán-Woods released the following statement in response to the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the 1864 abortion ban:
“This is a devastating and draconian decision that will be celebrated by anti-choice extremists like David Schweikert who want to systematically dismantle reproductive freedom and access to life-saving healthcare in Arizona,” Galán-Woods said. “Here in Arizona, we have the opportunity to enshrine abortion rights in our constitution this fall and we must pass this amendment to protect women across the state. However, we must also stop these attacks on our fundamental rights and freedoms by replacing these extremists with strong pro-choice champions, and passing a national law protecting abortion access. I will work tirelessly to ensure that my daughters, and women and girls across the country, continue to have access to reproductive healthcare and have power over their own bodies.”
The 1864 law is a near total ban on abortion, without exceptions for rape or incest, and even goes so far as to jail medical professionals who assist with abortions.
Republican David Schweikert has voted for a national ban on abortion, with no exceptions, and to limit access to contraception. He has also co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act multiple times which was a near total ban on abortion, with no carve outs for IVF.
Galán-Woods is the only woman and mother running for Arizona’s First Congressional District. She is endorsed by EMILYs List, former Governor Janet Napolitano, and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
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.
