Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs was in Yuma on Thursday. She gave a version of her 2026 State of the State address with a focus on projects and bills that she says will benefit Arizonans in Yuma and La Paz counties.
Before her speech at the Yuma Civic Center, Gov. Hobbs met with local elected officials and business leaders as she always does when she visits Yuma County.
Hobbs highlighted projects here she’s worked on, including the Future 48 Workforce Accelerator in Wellton.
"Led by Arizona Western College, the new center will be a hub for innovation and technology that will provide training in electrical technology, advanced manufacturing, broadband fiber optics and solar installation," she said.
Gov. Hobbs said her commitment is to all Arizonans and for those who are struggling to make ends meet it’s something she’s lived. She's running for re-election in November with a focus on affordability for all Arizonans.
"Affordability isn't a joke or some hoax," Hobbs said. "It is a real and consequential challenge that families across Arizona must grapple with every single day... Affordability is my top priority."
Hobbs said she wants to be above the partisan politics in Phoenix and Washington.
"Our constituents don't care about political games and they don't care if good ideas come from Democrats or Republicans- they care about results," she said.
Gov. Hobbs said Arizona has stepped up often when Democrats and Republicans in Washington have failed, including when it comes to securing the border.
"We've consistently picked up the slack for the federal government, racking up a tab of over $700 million in border security expenses over the last five years," Hobbs said. "I've made it clear to the Biden and Trump administrations that we expect to be paid back. Arizona is tired of footing the bill for the federal government's inaction."
Hobbs spoke about securing Arizona’s water future. She highlighted an action she took recently in La Paz County.
"I announced a new Active Management Area for La Paz County to crack down on the out of state special interests that are pumping our state dry while Arizona families and farmers suffer," she said.
Hobbs also mentioned when she was here last November to celebrate new towers for adding broadband for ag technology in Yuma.
"I was proud to be here in Yuma to celebrate significant milestones in high tech agriculture with our grant for ag tech broadband towers to support farm technology," Gov. Hobbs said. "Nowhere is the advancement of technology and agriculture more evident than right here in Yuma."
Congressmen Andy Biggs and David Schweikert lead the field in the Republican primary to challenge Hobbs in November.
“I’m really proud of the progress we’ve made together," Hobbs told KAWC. "But there’s more to do and I’m ready to continue working to deliver for Arizonans particularly in our rural communities around the state.”
Stay tuned to KAWC to hear from Gov. Hobbs’ State of the State address in Yuma.
