Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly endorses CD-1 hopeful Marlene Galán-Woods

Reporter-turned-congressional candidate Marlene Galán-Woods is racking up support from high-profile Democrats in her bid to flip Arizona’s 1st Congressional District blue.

Her latest endorsement comes from U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat who has been floated as a possible 2028 presidential contender.

“Marlene Galán-Woods will be a relentless fighter for Arizona families. Whether it’s working across the aisle to bring down costs or protecting our fundamental rights, I know Marlene will be a powerful voice for Arizona’s first district in Washington,” Kelly said in a press release Tuesday. “She is exactly the kind of common sense leader we need more of, and I’m proud to support her in this race.”

.@MarleneForAZ will be a relentless fighter for Arizona families. Whether it’s working across the aisle to bring down costs or protecting our fundamental rights, she is exactly the kind of common sense leader we need more of. I’m proud to support her in #AZ01. pic.twitter.com/01OamPHNtg

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) July 14, 2026

Galán-Woods said she was “deeply honored” to have Kelly’s backing.

“Sen. Kelly knows what it means to put service over politics. He’s always been committed to building a winning coalition of Arizonans, and I’m proud to have him in my corner as we do the same with this campaign,” she said in the release.

In addition to Mark Kelly, DCCC supports Marlene Galán-Woods

Galán-Woods previously told KTAR News 92.3 FM that she believes she is the Democrats’ best hope at flipping Arizona’s longtime Republican CD-1.

Galán-Woods was previously a Republican before switching to the Democratic Party in 2018. Her late husband, Grant Woods, was a former Republican Arizona attorney general who later became a critic of the MAGA movement.

The seat is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in Arizona now that incumbent U.S. Rep. David Schweikert is running for governor instead of seeking reelection.

Galán-Woods is competing against a primary field that includes former state Rep. Amish Shah, who defeated her in 2024 before narrowly losing to Schweikert in the general election. Jonathan Treble and Rick McCartney are also on the Democratic primary ballot.

National Democrats appear to be signaling support for Galán-Woods ahead of the primary.

According to Axios, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is making a $200,000 joint ad buy with Galán-Woods in Arizona’s 1st District, citing data from ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Axios reported it is the DCCC’s largest primary investment so far this cycle.

Galán-Woods was also recently added to the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” program, which highlights Democratic candidates running in some of the country’s most competitive pickup opportunities.

The DCCC’s decision to get involved before the primary has drawn some controversy, particularly because Shah came close to flipping the district in the last election. National party committees often wait until after a primary to support the nominee.

Subscribe to the KTAR Political Brief newsletter to get our top political stories, exclusive guest interviews and more to your email inbox.

Related

Four Democrats set to debate in bid to flip Arizona's 1st Congressional DistrictAZ Political Podcast: Andy Biggs’ running mate Sine Kerr outlines plans for ArizonaKatie Hobbs’ reported running mate John Giles dropped GOP registration months before pickScottsdale City Council runoff narrows as candidate exits to fight Axon apartmentsArizona’s Democratic superintendent nominee wants public schools to get stockpiled ESA fundsDemocrat Katie Hobbs reportedly taps longtime Republican John Giles as Lt. Gov. running mate