Some people and politicians are recognized for being “ahead of their times.” Others for being “of their times,” meaning, their beliefs are foundational to a current movement or the catalyst others follow going forward.
Grant Woods was both. He gave us a legacy in protecting democracy, if we have the wisdom and courage to follow it.
For this article, I listened again to the Turning Arizona Blue podcast I did with Grant in March of this year to capture his voice and political journey once more. Click the arrow below to listen in.
After the interview, I realized it was an honor to hear his message of country over partisan politics and how the ultra-right-wing politics current in Arizona, is devoid of principles to maintain raw political power.
Endorsing Hillary
| Grant Woods served as attorney general from 1991 to 1999. He died on October 23, 2021, at age 67. |
The journey of Grant Woods goes from John McCain’s staff, to Republican Attorney General of Arizona for two terms (1991-1999), to fighting the extreme right-wing takeover of the Republican Party, to supporting national and state Democrats in the Trump era and finally registering as a Democratic voter.”For me, endorsing Hillary Clinton was an easy call. It really wasn’t difficult. I thought Hillary Clinton was one of the most qualified people ever to be nominated for President,” Grant recalled. “I thought Donald Trump was the least qualified person to be nominated for President . . . and was an existential threat to the United States.”
Grant Woods was one of a very few Republicans who voiced opposition to the Trump takeover of his former party. Instead, during the Trump presidency, Grant chastised his fellow republicans for giving up on long-held party ideas and looking the other way against Trump’s mounting ethical and personal failings. And when Trump lost the 2020 election, he labeled as “shameful” the Arizona Republican Party’s support for “the big lie” and voter suppression efforts.
“It’s a sad commentary on a political party when you believe you have to suppress the people’s right to vote to win an election,” Grant said. “It has nothing to do with securing the integrity of the elections . . . It has to do with the higher turnout of voters ultimately, especially among people of color, then the less their chances of winning.”
In part, Grant Woods’ journey was defined by his professional and personal relationship with Senator John McCain. When asked what the qualities were that he honored most in his friend, Grant said, “principles above party, integrity before political expedience and empathy first.”
We cannot escape that Grant Woods honored his friend and the state of Arizona by displaying those qualities himself – to be “ahead of his time” and “of his time” to lead us out of our political darkness. Thank you, Grant Woods.
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