Grant Woods says he won’t run for U.S. Senate

Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods said Friday that he will not run for U.S. Senate in 2020, after spending months teasing a bid.

“In this stage of my life, my ambition is not to be a United States senator,” Woods told KTAR. “My ambition is to serve my country, to serve my state and to get people who don’t respect basic values like Donald Trump out of office.”

Speculation about Woods’ interest in the seat began after he gained attention for his colorful eulogy of the late Sen. John McCain at a nationally televised memorial.

He then changed his party registration from Republican to Democrat and endorsed Kyrsten Sinema’s campaign for Senate, including appearing in TV ads.

“I think it would be an expensive knock down-drag out primary, and I have zero interest in that,” Woods said of the 2020 race.

No Democrats have announced their candidacy but Rep. Ruben Gallego and former astronaut Mark Kelly, the spouse of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, have been repeatedly mentioned as possible candidates.

Martha McSally, who lost to Sinema, was appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey to fill out the remaining two years on McCain’s six-year term and is expected to seek reelection.

Former Sen. John Kyl filled the seat for several months following McCain’s death in August.