The Democratic Party is consolidating support around Marlene Galán-Woods, a former Republican, in an effort to secure a key congressional seat in Arizona. Super PACs are distributing resources among candidates in the upcoming Democratic primary, with three major spenders linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Galán-Woods, who was a registered Republican until 2018 and is the widow of a former Republican attorney general, received the endorsement of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in May. This endorsement has raised questions given the current anti-establishment sentiment among voters. One super PAC is supporting her while another is promoting businessman Jonathan Treble as the only lifelong Democrat in the race. Both are opposing Amish Shah, the former Democratic nominee who briefly registered as a Republican to vote in the 2016 primary.
The candidates are navigating the challenge of appealing to both Democratic voters and moderates in a district considered a bellwether for competitive races. The district includes affluent areas northeast of Phoenix, with a diverse demographic of mostly white and around 20% Hispanic residents.
Galán-Woods's campaign has received significant financial backing, particularly from organizations supporting reproductive rights, with nearly $1.3 million coming from Pro-Choice Majority Action. This PAC is primarily funded by the Democratic group EDW Action Fund, which has ties to AIPAC. Abortion rights are a critical issue in Arizona, where voters codified it as a right in 2024.
Treble, who has self-funded his campaign with $2.3 million, is also backed by the Crush MAGA PAC, which has spent over half a million dollars opposing Shah. Critics of Treble have noted his limited voting history and recent registration in Arizona.
The primary election is set for next Tuesday, with Galán-Woods backed by the establishment, Treble with significant funding, and Shah previously leading in polls. The Democratic Party has not won this seat since the Obama administration, and candidates are expressing frustration with party leadership's strategies.
The article was updated on July 15, 2026, to include new spending figures from Pro-Choice Majority Action.