FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Aditi Katti, [email protected],
June 21, 2024
Arizona Leaders Endorse Marlene Galán-Woods
State Representatives, Mayors, and Community Leaders Support Marlene Because They Know She Will Stand up for Them in Washington
Phoenix, AZ – Today, State Representative Laura Terech (AZ-LD4), former State Representative Marcelino Quiñonez (AZ-LD11), and former Tempe Mayor and GLAAD CEO Neil Giuliano endorsed Marlene Galán-Woods for Arizona’s 1st congressional district.
“I’m honored to have the support of such strong Arizona public servants who have tirelessly worked to make our community better. In Congress, I will follow their strong examples of service to Arizona and fight to lower costs, protect a woman’s right to choose, and protect our democracy,” said Marlene Galán-Woods.
“I’m proud to support Marlene Galán-Woods for Congressional District 1. Marlene is smart, kind, passionate, and cares deeply about Arizona. Marlene will serve this state with integrity and a steadfast commitment to upholding the values that make our community strong. She is the candidate who will beat David Schwiekert in November,” said State Representative Laura Terech.
“I’m proud to endorse my friend Marlene Galán-Woods for Congress. Marlene’s intelligence, compassion, sincerity, and passion will benefit Arizona in DC,” said former State Rep Marcelino Quiñonez. “At this critical time in our history, we need someone like Marlene who will defend our democracy, protect reproductive rights, and prioritize Arizonans above special interests. I am confident Marlene is the candidate who will win in November. I stand with Marlene Galán-Woods.”
“As a former Mayor, national CEO of GLAAD and now business advocacy executive here in greater Phoenix, I know what it takes to be an effective public servant, work with diverse constituents and do what is best for Arizona families. Marlene is exactly the kind of community leader, consensus builder and rock solid, articulate voice we need right now representing us in Congress. From her career as a journalist to being a community leader bettering children’s lives, she is passionate, fearless, and has a history of working for the greater good for Arizonans. Having known Marlene for 30 years, I trust her and believe she is the best choice for sending home the far-right, long-time incumbent of the past in this seat, and bring much needed integrity, energy and more diversity representing Arizona,” said Neil Giuliano, former Tempe Mayor.
Galán-Woods has the most labor endorsements of any candidate in the race and has the support of Attorney General Kris Mayes, former Governor Janet Napolitano, and Congressman Raul Grijalva. She is also supported by the Arizona AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 104, Ironworkers Local 75, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), National Education Association (NEA), Professional Firefighters of Arizona (PFFA).
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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.
Galán-Woods is the only woman and mother in this race. If elected, she will be the first Latina to represent Arizona in Congress. She is the only candidate endorsed by a sitting statewide elected official, a member of the Arizona delegation, and the only candidate with endorsements from the labor community.
