Husband of Kara Woods cited for destroying GOP rival’s sign3 min read

On July 4, the husband of Kara Woods, Steven Woods, reportedly vandalized a political sign belonging to Woods’ opponent in the Republican primary for Yavapai County Superintendent, Steve King, in Prescott. Woods initially denied allegations that he destroyed the sign until he was confronted with video evidence of him removing one of King’s signs. Woods was issued two misdemeanor citations for knowingly removing a political sign and recklessly damaging property. Daulton Venglar/Larson Newspapers

Steven Woods, a Prescott resident and the husband of Republican candidate for Yavapai County School Superintendent Kara Woods, was recently issued two misdemeanor criminal citations for knowingly removing a political sign and recklessly damaging the property of Woods’ political rival, Steve King.

“Up to this point, I just complimented her on the campaign we’ve been running,” King said. “It’s been a very civil campaign. And now this — I’m deeply disappointed, and not just for me … we should stay focused on the issues and experiences.”

A passerby first observed Steven Woods picking up one of King’s signs at the intersection of Glassford Hill Road and State Route 89A on the morning of Thursday, July 4, and proceeded to follow Woods to the intersection of Larry Caldwell Road and SR 89A, where he filmed Woods picking up another sign at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The passerby forwarded the video to King, who reported the crime to the Prescott Police Department before 3:30 p.m. The video shows an individual matching the description of Steven Woods walking away with a sign.

PPD identified the vehicle in the video as Steven Woods’ 2022 dark blue Chevrolet Silverado and PPD officers contacted Wood on the afternoon of Friday, July 5.

After being confronted with the video evidence, Woods retracted his initial denial of any involvement.

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“I asked Steven Woods if he had moved any of the signs in the area,” the PPD report stated. “Steven Woods stated that he didn’t remember moving the signs. I explained to Steven Woods that we had been sent a video of someone removing political signs on the side of the road and that his vehicle was identified in the video. I also explained that a witness identified him as the person in the video. I asked Steven Woods to be honest with me and again asked him if he moved the signs. Steven Woods told me that he remembered moving one sign and throwing it on the other side of the ditch. While Steven Woods was talking I noticed his breathing became heavy and his voice became shaky.”

The removed sign was quickly replaced by two additional signs after King noted that one of his political signs was in a nearby ditch, the report noted.

Woods later arrived at the police station and signed his citation without incident.

While King originally called Prescott Valley Police Department to report the crime, as the witness did not want to testify and because King did not have video of the first alleged sign removal, he decided not to press charges.

“I am not aware of [Steven Woods] taking any other signs down except the one up on Glassford Hill,” King said when asked about the incident report’s claim that Woods previously removed King’s signs.

Although he has not been in contact with either Kara or Steven Woods about the charges, King described a previous interaction with Steven Woods as cordial and informative.

Steven Woods did not respond to a request for comment and Kara Woods initially did the same on the evening of July 10, but released a prepared statement shortly afterwards.

“Although a number of my signs for county school superintendent have been removed by unknown persons, neither I nor my husband condone the removal of anyone’s signs in a political campaign,” Kara Woods wrote.

“I’m glad her husband doesn’t condone it,” King responded. “I would be more glad if he didn’t do it.” It is illegal to remove, alter, deface or damage campaign signs under Arizona state law.

Joseph K Giddens

Joseph K. Giddens grew up in southern Arizona and studied natural resources at the University of Arizona. He later joined the National Park Service in many different roles focusing on geoscience throughout the West. Drawn to deep time and ancient landscapes he’s worked at: Dinosaur National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Badlands National Park and Saguaro National Park among several other public land sites. Prior to joining Sedona Red Rock News, he worked for several Tucson outlets as well as the Williams-Grand Canyon News and the Navajo-Hopi Observer. He frequently is reading historic issues of the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper and daydreaming about rockhounding. Contact him at jgiddens@larsonnewspapers.com or (928) 282-7795 ext. 122.

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Joseph K. Giddens grew up in southern Arizona and studied natural resources at the University of Arizona. He later joined the National Park Service in many different roles focusing on geoscience throughout the West. Drawn to deep time and ancient landscapes he’s worked at: Dinosaur National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Badlands National Park and Saguaro National Park among several other public land sites. Prior to joining Sedona Red Rock News, he worked for several Tucson outlets as well as the Williams-Grand Canyon News and the Navajo-Hopi Observer. He frequently is reading historic issues of the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper and daydreaming about rockhounding. Contact him at jgiddens@larsonnewspapers.com or (928) 282-7795 ext. 122.