Grant Woods, longtime friend of McCain and former Arizona AG, dies at 67

Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods (D) died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon at the age of 67, multiple news outlets reported.

“Grant was the love of my life. My best friend. My heart is broken,” his wife, Marlene Galan Woods, said in a statement, according to ABC 15. “I just cannot believe he is gone. I can’t believe our time together is over. He was the best husband, the best father anyone could have wished for.”

The details about cause of death were not made available. 

Woods was a well-known figure in Arizona politics. 

He served as congressional chief of staff for the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 1980s, and remained friends with the Vietnam War veteran for the rest of his life. Woods supported McCain when he ran for the U.S. Senate nomination in 2010, AZ Family noted, and spoke at McCain’s funeral in 2018. 

McCain died from complications related to brain cancer. At the time, he held one of Arizona’s Senate seats. 

Woods also served as the state Attorney General from 1991 to 1999, according to the former politician’s website. 

The former attorney general was also the founder of the Mesa Boys & Girls Club, the Mesa Education Foundation and the Mesa Arts Academy, which focused on offering affordable after-school and summer programs for children, his website noted.

Notably, Woods endorsed President Biden during his 2020 presidential campaign and has, in the past, criticized former President Trump. 

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) remembered Woods on social media Saturday, offering his condolences to the deceased’s family. 

“My deepest sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Grant Woods,” he tweeted.

My deepest sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Grant Woods. He was well-known in the Arizona community, including serving as Attorney General & as chief of staff to John McCain before moving on to private practice. Our prayers are with his wife Marlene & 5 children. https://t.co/wWEzxZfgNy

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) October 24, 2021

Marlene Woods said she is proud of the man Woods was, saying that he made her “a better person.”

“I am so proud of the man he was, public servant, advocate for the everyday person, lover of music and stories and sports,” she said, according to ABC 15. “He made me a better person. I can’t even fathom our lives without him. But we are strong, and a close family and we will work hard to honor his life.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.