Democratic Arizona Gov Katie Hobbs launches reelection campaign

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs launched her reelection campaign on Wednesday in a state that voted for President Trump last year.

Hobbs told The Associated Press ahead of her campaign launch that she’s focused on putting Arizonans first and politics aside, as she looks to gain voters across the political spectrum.

“I think winning this race in Arizona is going to send a strong message of we know how to win in tough states like Arizona. And it’s not about politics. It’s about delivering on the issues that matter,” Hobbs said, noting issues such as affordable housing and border security.

Hobbs, who is likely to be the Democratic nominee in the 2026 gubernatorial election, will face developer Karrin Taylor Robson, Rep. Andy Biggs, or Rep. David Schweikert. Trump endorsed both Taylor Robson and Biggs.

In her last election in 2022, Hobbs won against Republican opponent Kari Lake by less than a percentage point. Lake sued over election issues, claiming that she had actually won the race.

Hobbs criticized Taylor Robson, Biggs, and Schweikert for supporting Trump’s budget bill, which she said raises the federal deficit, slashes meals for kids, and jeopardizes healthcare.

“It’s not pretty,” Hobbs said. “The impacts of this partisan Washington budget are going to be really painful for Arizonans, having to make really tough choices when I’ve consistently tried to put families first. And it’s going to be really challenging with these cuts.”

Hobbs launched a law enforcement task force earlier this year to combat the influx of illegal drugs across the southern border, which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised.

Hobbs noted it as an example of how she’s worked with the Trump administration on border security, adding that President Biden's administration didn’t do enough.

She also said that deporting people shouldn’t be done indiscriminately and criticized Trump’s immigration crackdowns.

“I would continue to advocate for the president to keep his promise and go after the people that are making us unsafe,” Hobbs said.

She vetoed a Republican bill this past legislative session that would have required state and local officials to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

“I think that my record on delivering on the issues that Arizonans care about, whether it’s securing the border, securing our water future, lowering costs, investing in education, creating good paying jobs is what is going to make that four more years possible,” Hobbs said.