Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods dies suddenly at 67: Family and friends pay tribute to GOP stalwart who became a Democrat in response to Trump and the party's direction

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Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods died unexpectedly at 67 on Saturday

Former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods, once an aide to the late Senator John McCain, died Saturday at the age of 67.

His unexpected death was announced by his wife Marlene Galan Woods through a public relations firm.

A cause was not revealed publicly.

'Grant was the love of my life. My best friend. My heart is broken,' his wife said in the statement. 'I just cannot believe he is gone.'

Woods was a Republican who changed his registration to Democrat in 2018 due to his frustration of the GOP's direction and alignment with then-President Donald Trump. 

Woods' wife Marlene Galan Woods announced the death through a PR firm on Saturday, but not cause of death was revealed yet

During McCain's rise in politics, Woods served as a top aide when he was a congressman and his first chief of staff in the 1980s. He delivered a eulogy alongside now-President Joe Biden at McCain's memorial service in Phoenix in August 2018.

'Grant Woods was one of my best friends,' McCain's widow, Cindy McCain, tweeted on Saturday. 'My only comfort is knowing [he] is laughing and joking with John now and watching over all of us. We will miss you so much Grant. God Bless!'

Woods served as attorney general of Arizona from 1991-1999.

During that time, he helped lead negotiations on a massive nationwide settlement with tobacco companies that continues to help fund the state's Medicaid program. As a result of the deal, Arizona has received more than $1 billion from the settlement agreement since 1998.

After leaving office, Woods returned to private practice and was a highly successful civil litigator in antitrust, fraud, breach of contract and medical malpractice cases. He was often tapped as a special prosecutor in public corruption cases and tried murder cases.

The one big blemish on his decadeslong career came in 2009, when Woods was hired to look into allegations that the Fiesta Bowl employees were pressured into making political contributions.

Woods was a senior aide to the late Senator John McCain when he was a congressman in the 1980s. Here Woods speaks at McCain's funeral in Phoenix on August 30, 2018

An outpouring came following Woods' death, including from McCain's widow Cindy who classified him as 'one of my best friends'

The Woods' honor McCain at his funeral in 2018

Woods and McCain attend a semifinal NHL game in 2012

After a brief investigation, Woods said he found no evidence of wrongdoing. That turned out to be completely wrong, and the bowl in 2011 fired its longtime top executive and almost lost its spot in the college football Bowl Championship Series after it was proven the executive had overseen an illegal campaign donation scheme and doled out free tickets to politicians.

Tributes poured in Saturday night for Woods from current and past Arizona officials.

The state's current Republican Governor Doug Ducey said in a statement: 'Arizona honors his life and years of public service.'

'My deepest sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Grant Woods,' Ducey tweeted. '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.'

Arizona Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema tweeted Saturday night: 'Grant Woods was an incredible Arizonan with a long record of public service to our state - and a friend whose support meant so much to me. His leadership helped deliver lasting results for Arizona over many years. I will miss him and my heart is with Marlene and their children.'

Former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, a Republican, said 'Grant stood with me through many battles.'

'We didn't agree on everything, but he always fought for, defended and cheered for me,' she tweeted. 'An honorable public servant who I will deeply miss.'

Arizona Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema paid tribute to Woods

Current Republican Arizona Governor Doug Ducey followed suit

'Grant Woods loved Arizona, public service, and his family,' Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly tweeted. 'He served Arizona in so many ways, leaving his mark on the state and on generations of leaders.'

'I'm so saddened by his loss. He was a source of advice and support. Arizona will miss him, and @GabbyGiffords and I offer our condolences to his wife and children, and the many who have known him over the years,' Kelly said, referencing his wife Gabby Giffords, former representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district.

Woods grew up in metro Phoenix and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Occidental College in 1976. He earned a law degree from Arizona State University in 1979.

Woods left the Republican Party shortly after McCain's 2018 death, furious and dismayed by Trump's treatment of his longtime friend and the party's direction. He considered a run for U.S. Senate in 2020 to try to unseat then-Sen. Martha McSally and help to be a foil to Trump, but decided his status as a former Republican would have been a liability in the crowded Democratic primary field. McSally eventually lost to now-Sen. Mark Kelly.

Some photos posted to Facebook of Woods and his family. The former AG leaves behind his wife and five children – one of whom was adopted – and a large extended family

'Grant Woods was an Arizona original who fought every day to better our state,' said state Rep. Reginald Bolding, the Democratic minority leader. 'He dedicated his life to public service and was a constant voice of reason when we needed it most.'

In addition to his legal and political work, Woods was a longtime fundraiser for charities. He founded the Mesa Boys and Girls Club, the Mesa Education Foundation and the Mesa Arts Academy. He also was an aspiring playwright.

In addition to his wife, he's survived by five children. Services are pending.

'I am so proud of the man he was, public servant, advocate for the everyday person, lover of music and stories and sports,' said his wife, a former television news anchor. '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.'