At her first reelection rally, Hobbs slammed MAGA extremists and vowed to keep Arizona focused on families, not Trump’s agenda.
Gov. Katie Hobbs kicked off her 2026 reelection campaign in Tucson yesterday — and she came out swinging. Speaking to a cheering crowd of more than 200 at the El Rio Neighborhood Center, Hobbs rallied supporters under her new banner, “Arizona First,” and drew sharp contrasts between her record and her triumvirate of Trump opponents.
“Donald Trump made it clear that winning this race is his top priority,” Hobbs told the audience. “He wants someone who will do whatever he says and never push back. All three of my opponents fit that bill.”
“One of the toughest races in the country”
“We know that this race will be one of the toughest in the country,” Hobbs said during the rally. “Right after the 2024 election, Donald Trump came to Arizona, and he made it clear that winning this governor’s race is a top priority for him. He wants someone who will do whatever he says and never push back against him. And all three of my opponents fit this bill.”
Her remarks set the tone for what she called “one of the toughest races in the country” — but also one she’s ready to win.
A Governor Focused on Arizona, Not Washington
While Congress remains locked in a Trump shutdown, Hobbs reminded voters that Arizona’s leadership is still getting things done.
“After negotiations with both parties, I signed a balanced, bipartisan budget that puts families first,” she said. “At the same time, politicians in Washington ran through a reckless, partisan budget — and all of my opponents cheered it on.”
Hobbs highlighted major wins on:
- Groundwater Protection
- Developmental Disability Services
- Border Safety
- Technology-sector job growth
— All achievements rooted in competence and collaboration, not chaos.
Her veto record — nearly 400 GOP bills stopped cold — drew thunderous applause. “That’s courage,” said newly elected U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, one of several speakers who joined Hobbs on stage alongside Gabby Giffords and Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose.
“That veto pen protected Arizona from extremist legislation,” Grijalva said. “That’s the steady hand we need, especially now.”
A Rally of Strength and Solidarity
The event turned electric when the crowd began chanting “Swear her in!” in support of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who has been blocked from taking her seat by House Speaker Mike Johnson’s political gamesmanship.
Local Democrats, including Reps. Betty Villegas, Chris Mathis, Consuelo Hernandez, and Alma Hernandez were all present.
Hobbs enters 2026 unopposed in the Democratic primary and backed by Arizona’s top Democrats — Sen. Ruben Gallego and Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton — plus a $5 million campaign war chest ready for battle.
Trio of troglodytes
Hobbs leads all candidates in fundraising, with record-breaking amounts—$4 million raised in 2025 alone and over $12 million since her initial election. She also has the largest cash reserves for the campaign.
She faces a three-way Republican primary featuring:
- Karrin Taylor Robson, age 59, is a millionaire land-use attorney and failed candidate who has never been elected to office and lost the 2020 gubernatorial race. Trump endorsed her. She is currently polling at 24% and is outpacing Biggs in campaign fundraising by more than triple.
- U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, age 66, who is a 2020 election denier, voted for pardons for the Jan. 6 terrorists and compared Democrats to domestic terrorists. Trump endorsed him, too. He is polling at 17% in the May poll, and was endorsed by racist antisemite Charlie Kirk.
- U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, age 63, has not appeared prominently in recent polling. In 2020, Schweikert admitted to 11 House ethics violations and agreed to pay a $50,000 fine, receiving an official reprimand from the House. He was later fined an additional $125,000 by the Federal Election Commission in 2022, bringing his total fines to $175,000
“They Underestimate Us — Every Time”
Even as she warned that the campaign will be grueling, Hobbs’ tone was resolute — and familiar to longtime supporters who’ve seen her overcome long odds before.
“There will be people who underestimate us,” Hobbs said. “I know what that feels like — because in every campaign I’ve run, I’ve been underestimated. But I’ve also never lost.”
From Tucson, Hobbs took her message statewide — with stops in Bisbee, Yuma, and Phoenix — hammering home that this election isn’t just about one office. It’s about whether Arizona stays free and forward-looking or slides backward under Trump’s thumb.
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