Mark Kelly Endorses Marlene Galán-Woods as 'the Kind of Common-Sense Leader We Need'

With one week left before Arizona's primary election, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) is throwing his support behind Marlene Galán-Woods (D-AZ) in one of the most closely watched congressional races in the state.

Kelly announced his endorsement of Galán-Woods in the Democratic primary for Arizona's First Congressional District, a competitive Phoenix-area seat that could help determine which party controls the House of Representatives.

"Marlene Galán-Woods will be a relentless fighter for Arizona families," Kelly wrote. "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. She is exactly the kind of common-sense leader we need more of, and I'm proud to support her in this race."

Galán-Woods responded warmly to the endorsement. "Sen. Kelly knows what it means to put service over politics," she wrote. "He's always been committed to building a winning coalition of Arizonans, and I'm proud to have him in my corner."

Heated Race

The race is shaping up to be a fierce Democratic primary. Galán-Woods, a former television journalist and widow of former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, finished third in the district's 2024 primary.

She is facing a rematch of sorts against Dr. Amish Shah (D-AZ), who won that primary but narrowly lost the general election to Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ). Two political newcomers, small business owner Rick McCartney (D-AZ) and entrepreneur Jonathan Treble (D-AZ), round out the field.

The national Democratic Party appears to be signaling its preference as well. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made a $200,000 joint ad buy with Galán-Woods, its largest primary investment of the current cycle, according to Axios.

The district itself is genuinely competitive, with voter registration split roughly 38% Republican, 34% independent, and 27% Democratic.

It voted narrowly for Biden in 2020 before swinging to Trump in 2024. Schweikert, who held the seat for eight terms, is now vacating it to run for Arizona governor, making the general election race wide open,, with the primary less than a week away on July 21.