Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs today announced her choice for a running mate as lieutenant governor. The pick? Former Mesa Mayor John Giles, who was a lifelong Republican before becoming an independent.
Hobbs' campaign released a video announcing Giles as her nominee. Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, who is challenging Hobbs for governor, named former state Sen. Sine Kerr, whose district included part of Yuma, as his lieutenant governor choice on July 31.
Arizona voters approved Proposition 131 in 2022 with 55 percent voting yes. The state constitutional amendment created the position of lieutenant governor, who is to be elected on a joint ticket with the candidate for governor and who would succeed the governor in case of a vacancy, according to the Citizens Clean Elections Commission.
Previously, the Secretary of State would succeed the governor if she or he died, resigned, was removed from office or was permanently unable to carry out the duties of governor. Candidates running for governor must have their pick for lieutenant governor at least 60 days before the November election.
In a released statement, Gov. Hobbs said "At a time when too many politicians are focused on partisan politics, Arizona deserves a lieutenant governor who shares my commitment to putting Arizona first and delivering real results. That's why I'm proud to have Mayor John Giles by my side. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, if you believe in solving problems and putting Arizona first, there's a place for you on this team."
Giles issued the following statement "I'm honored to join Katie Hobbs on this historic ticket because we share the belief that leadership is about bringing people together and getting results. I'm proud to stand with her to put Arizona first, find common ground and keep moving our state forward."
Drew Sexton, senior advisor to the Biggs For Arizona campaign, shared the following statement with KAWC: “Democrat Katie Hobbs' selection of DNC Convention speaker and Democrat primary voter John Giles is of no surprise to Arizonans who have been paying attention.
"As Kamala Harris' favorite Arizona mayor, Giles is aligned with Hobbs on all the issues that have hurt Arizonans the most over the past four years. From being "impressed" with the Biden Border Policy to supporting the out of control federal COVID spending, which led to record inflation, to voting in favor of an ordinance to allow men in women's bathrooms in Mesa, Giles has been an aspiring Democrat since he first voted for Joe Biden in 2020."
"Arizonans will see this botched, half-baked announcement as just another example of Katie Hobbs' chaos and incompetence and another reason to vote for Andy Biggs and Sine Kerr in November.”
In a post on her X account, Kerr wrote "Looking forward to the Lt. Governor’s Debate on October 5th with Democrat primary voter John Giles. We should discuss my Arizona Women’s Bill of Rights legislation and SB1583, which protected children from predators. Katie Hobbs vetoed both. Maybe John Giles can explain why."
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more on this and other local and state races through and after the November general election.
