It is official.
In a move to unite the state politically among Democrats, Independents, and Non-MAGA Republicans, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, after a couple of weeks of rumors, has officially named former Republican and Mesa Mayor John Giles as her Lieutenant Governor pick for the November 2026 elections.
Mayor Giles became an Independent earlier this year.
Please read the transcript of the video below:
KATIE HOBBS: I believe leadership is about who you’re willing to fight for.
HOBBS: And as governor, I’ve always fought for the people of Arizona by cutting taxes, securing our border, supporting public safety, and protecting Arizona’s water.
HOBBS: Now, for the first time in our state’s history, we are electing a governor and lieutenant governor on the same ticket.
HOBBS: And the first thing I looked for in a running mate was someone who shares that value of putting Arizonans ahead of partisan politics.
HOBBS: That’s why I’m proud to introduce my running mate, former Mesa Mayor John Giles.
JOHN GILES: I was a lifelong Republican before becoming an Independent because extremists shouldn’t stand in the way of getting things done.
GILES: I was born and raised here in Arizona; attended Mesa public schools.
GILES: As mayor, I focused on getting results and bringing people together to solve problems.
GILES: We revitalized our downtown, improved public education, and brought more businesses to our city.
GILES: I’m proud to join Katie Hobbs as her candidate for lieutenant governor because Katie will continue to put Arizona first.
HOBBS: Whether you’re a Democrat, Independent, or Republican, if you believe in protecting our freedoms and putting Arizona first, we’re ready to fight for you.
GILES: Let’s keep Arizona moving forward.
HOBBS: And continue delivering real results for Arizonans.
When rumors about Giles’ selection started circulating, several of Arizona’s leading political consultants offered their assessment of the choice to AZ Central.
Stacy Pearson commented that if true, the Giles selection would be “Extraordinary,” in character for Hobbs and her willingness to forge a middle road on many issues, saying, “It’s a really good approach to add a moderate Republican. Arizona consistently rejects MAGA and remains a red state. So threading that needle is extraordinarily important.”, and displayed “a courage, I think, is what folks are looking for in politics right now.”
Barrett Marson, commenting on how Giles’ selection could move about 9,000 votes toward Hobbs, said: “With the margins that small, she’s got to look to expand on her win four years ago.”
When the first stirrings of the Giles pick became public, Matt Grodsky commented to Blog for Arizona that he thought Hobbs had “Made a good call.”
In his remarks to AZ Central, he conveyed Giles could swing LDS support to Hobbs, saying: “It’s an important voting bloc, and that’s a group where faith and morality come into play a lot in their decision-making.”
He also said of Giles being ideologically suited to the pragmatic Hobbs: “I think he’s much more aligned with moderate thinking and the independent mindset of Arizona’s voters.
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Well, at least it’s not Liz or Dick Cheney this time. Good one, Kamala!
I’m way, way left from where I started in life, people learn and grow, so I can’t ding him for leaving the Republican Party, but why’d it take until this year?
The Republican Party went sour decades ago, and fully insane in 2016. That feels like politics BS, but I don’t know the guy.
I can’t find anything online that he’s done that I really disagree with, some Green/public transportation stuff, some veteran’s stuff, all good, but I also have no idea how he feels about issues I care about.
There are very, very few things I agree with a Reagan Republican on.
Political consultants giving him the thumbs up is a Red Flag, because they’re interested in their own paychecks, not what’s best for Arizona.
Jeff Flake says this is a good move. Jeff Flake is a dirtbag.
FFS, just the Andy Biggs Wikipedia page should have even the most fevered MAGA nut running out to buy a Che Guevara t-shirt. How is he in “striking distance”?
My admittedly knee jerk reaction to the rumor was OH HELL NO, I still have a weeping sore from my Sinema vote, but I’ll try to keep an open mind.
It just feels like the Overton Window moving slightly right again, and we’re doing it to win instead of because it’s what’s right.