Putting Arizona Over Party, People from the Sane Wing of the Republican Party Rally Behind Katie Hobbs at Barry Goldwater Memorial Park

This has been a busy weekend for Arizona Secretary of State and Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Katie Hobbs.

First, she held a press conference in Tucson with Attorney General Democratic Nominee Kris Mayes, condemning the 1864/1901 abortion ban (that was stayed later that day by the Arizona Court of Appeals) and their Republican opponents (Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh) for supporting it. The duo had held a similar conference in Phoenix two weeks ago.

On Saturday, she spoke at the Phoenix version of the Women’s March, saying “we will work together to elect pro-choice candidates up and down the ballot, and let’s fight like women’s lives are on the line because they are.”

Secretary Hobbs starts the day on Face the Nation.

She had two major events today, October 9, 2022. First, she appeared on the CBS news show Face the Nation and fielded questions from news reporter Major Garrett.

Please click below to watch the segment.

Among the topics that she discussed with Garrett were:

• Her refusal to debate Ms. Lake. The Secretary said “I have no desire to be a part of- of the spectacle that she’s looking to create. Because that doesn’t do any service to the voters of Arizona to hear from us, where we stand on the issues and how we would govern.” On showing strength by debating Lake, Hobbs replied, “I think the voters of Arizona have had a chance to see how I work under crisis throughout my leadership during the 2020 election as Secretary of State. When we had to combat multiple election challenges from- from former President Trump and his band of election deniers, including my opponent’s Kari Lake.”
• Immigration: The Secretary said: “We are a border state and immigration as it is a very important issue to Arizona border- voters. And as a border state, we have borne the brunt of decades of inaction in Washington from both parties to address both border security and comprehensive immigration reform. And- and we need the federal government to step up… I have a border security plan that’s been endorsed by two border sheriffs because they know that it’s going to focus on real solutions and bring meaningful relief and help them make their communities safer… Trump has centered his whole immigration policy around finishing the wall and it’s not done. And- but Biden does need to step up immigration and border security. Absolutely. Arizona is bearing the brunt of- of illegal drug trafficking, gun trafficking, and smuggling. And we do need more border security. It’s not going to get done by declaring an invasion at the border or dismantling the F.B.I., which is another thing that my opponent (Ms. Lake) has called for.”
• Abortion and Reproductive Freedom: I don’t support the 15-week ban. But let me just say that Kari Lake is- is entirely misconstruing my position on this issue. You and I both know that late-term abortion is extremely rare. And if it’s being talked about, it’s because something has gone incredibly wrong in a pregnancy. A doctor’s not going to perform an abortion late in pregnancy just because somebody decided they want one. That is ridiculous. And she’s saying this to distract from her incredibly extreme position, which has– she’s gone on the record saying she supports Arizona’s complete abortion ban that what- that is in the courts right now being decided if that will be the law of Arizona or not. She’s called it a great law. She’s called people who seek abortion murderers and executioners. And- and under a Kari Lake administration, we would have government-mandated forced births that risk women’s lives. And- and her position is the one that acts that’s extreme. It’s out of touch wherewith where the majority of Arizonans who support access to safe and legal abortion. And under her administration, women would not be safe… abortion is a very personal decision that belongs between a woman and her doctor. The government and politicians don’t belong in that decision, we need to let doctors perform the care that they are trained and take an oath to perform.
• On tackling the economy and inflation: My husband and I raised our kids through financial ups and downs. And I know the struggle that a lot of Arizonans are feeling right now having to stretch to put food on the table thinking about taking a second job, or not being able to pay the mortgage. And so we have a comprehensive plan to address the rising costs that Arizonans are facing right now. That will put money back in their pockets. We cut taxes on all kinds of everyday items like over-the-counter medication, school supplies, diapers, and feminine hygiene products, we provide a child- a state-level child tax credit, and tax credits for people who want to go back to work in higher-paying jobs to get career and technical education. Economists have looked at my affordability plan next to Kari Lake’s plan and they said that my plan does put people back to work and- and helps them fight inflation. And that Kari Lake’s plan actually will make inflation worse.

Gathering with Republicans for Katie Hobbs at Barry Goldwater Memorial Park.

At a later morning event at Barry Goldwater Memorial Park in Paradise Valley, members of the Republicans for Katie Hobbs Coalition gathered with the Secretary and voiced their support for the Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee. Please click below to watch the event in its entirety.

The common theme among the Republicans speaking on behalf of Secretary Hobbs was:

• It is time in his election to put Arizona over party.
• This election is a choice between chaos (Lake) and sanity (Hobbs.)
• Election denier and Trump Republican Kari Lake is too extreme and dangerous to lead the state.
• Katie Hobbs has what it takes to be an effective Governor.

The first speaker at the event was Mesa Mayor John Giles who said he was there campaigning for Katie Hobbs instead of attending the Trump Republican event featuring Kari Lake and the 45^th occupant of the White House because “I am very concerned about the future of our state” and the governor’s race is a choice between “sanity and chaos.”

Censured already by three Republican Legislative Districts in the Mesa area for his sane mainstream views, Mr. Giles continued praising the experience and governing attributes of Secretary Hobbs while criticizing Ms. Lake, saying:

“We have very significant problems facing our state right now: water, housing, supporting public education, finding solutions to our transportation infrastructure problem. Katie Hobbs is the right person to lead us and address these challenges. She is a battle-tested leader that has won statewide and has a track record of working across the aisle to deliver for Arizona…The issues we face are not Republican or Democratic issues. They are Arizona issues and they need a problem solver that will bring people together, not divide them…Kari Lake has done everything she could to divide Arizonans and appeal to the most extreme factions in our party. That is why so many Independents and Republicans like myself are putting country over party and we’re going to elect Katie Hobbs as our next Governor…Democracy is definitely on the ballot this November here in Arizona and we can not afford a conspiracy theorist like Kari Lake running our state…She has been part of coordinated attacks…to make it difficult to vote and to undermine our vote and our Democracy…she is refusing to say whether she would accept the results of our upcoming election. She’s also refused to say if she’ll certify the 2024 Presidential election as Governor. Imagine the chaos that would lead to in our country…As Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs has worked to make sure that the 2020 election was safe and secure…That is a badge of honor to Secretary Hobbs. Just like the vast majority of Arizonans, we want to move on from the 2020 elections and talk about the real issues facing our state…These issues need talented leadership. They need someone who is going to bring people together and not someone who is going to pour gasoline on them as a self-promotional device. Ms. Lake has no real solutions. She has resorted to bullying. She calls Republicans like myself who won’t support her “losers”…Actually those of us who support Katie Hobbs care deeply about the future of Arizona. That is why we are putting our state above our party because we know that Lake is dangerous to a prosperous future for our families. Katie Hobbs is the only candidate for Governor who will work across the aisle to keep our economy growing and to make Arizona the best place to live, work, and raise a family…”

Karie Dozier, a former Communications Director for the late Arizona Attorney General, Grant Woods, spoke next.  She spoke of the harsh treatment election workers have received because of conspiracy election deniers like Lake.

“The last couple of years in Arizona have been surreal. I truly do not believe some of the things I am seeing and hearing coming out of people’s mouths…Those who work the elections are heroes and they don’t deserve to be threatened. They don’t deserve for their work to be questioned like it has been for the past couple of years. This is absurd…There are still people like Kari Lake who insist that it (the 2020 election) was stolen or rigged…It’s sad to me. It’s sad that we have to go through this process again. A lot of those election workers will feel unsafe doing their jobs. That should not happen. Those people deserve a lot better. It’s time to speak up. It’s time to talk to your friends about this…People agree but they’re afraid to speak up because this environment of bullying and hate speech is not right and it’s not Arizonan…Think about the future of Arizona…Barry Goldwater would be shaking his head in disgust. John McCain would too. They would just not believe how far down this road we’ve gone and it’s crazy. It needs to stop. We have a Super Bowl coming up…If we have a governor (Lake) that’s hanging out with hate groups and insurrectionists, people that wanted to burn down the Capitol on January 6. I just don’t think that looks very good on us and I think those big events will stop coming here if we have a Governor like Kari Lake…It’s okay to support a Democrat…It’s quite alright. It’s actually your duty…Katie Hobbs has been doing the work that needs to be done all for very little pay and very little recognition. Now she’s willing to take this big step and do the big job.

Monica Villalobos, the President of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was the third Republican to speak. Starting with “tell me who you surround yourself with and I’ll tell you who you are,” in both Spanish and English, Ms. Villalobos continued with “I am a single mom…I need them (my children) to know that when their mother was called to do the right thing, she did…I have nothing to be ashamed of. I didn’t leave the Republican Party…It left me when it decided to support candidates operating in places of hatred, hubris, and hostility rather than honesty, humility, and humanity. We have an opportunity here today and an obligation to course correct that tragic detour. We can not afford to be complacent…We must vote for our country, our conscience, and our children…Secretary Hobbs is correct. This race is about going from chaos back to sanity…We will not agree on everything but we both believe that Arizona is better than a sound bite. We deserve leaders committed to spirited yet respectful conversations and I have no doubt you will be…Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the person that kept the voices of our voters from being hijacked in the last election.

After taking the podium, Secretary Hobbs first thanked the members of the Republican Coalition for Katie Hobbs that came and also spoke for her today and throughout this election cycle, saying “I bet none of you thought you’d be here campaigning for a Democrat to be our next Governor.”

She went further, stating that the outpouring of support from Independents, Democrats, and political newcomers was “a testament to the threat that Kari Lake poses should she be our next governor and we’re not going to let that happen. Today, as we stand in Barry Goldwater Park, we’re reminded that what we have in common is far greater than any of our political differences. We all want what’s best for our state. We want a thriving economy. We want good schools for our kids. We want free and fair elections and we want someone with a steady hand who could lead our state through its toughest challenges…”

The Secretary then recounted her career as a social worker, state legislator, and Secretary of State working across the aisle to lift people up on issues like health care and combatting the opioid epidemic, move the state forward, and ensure everyone’s right to vote despite Trumpist misinformation and the Coronavirus, in the “historically secure elections of 2020.”

Turning her attention to the election-denying Lake, the Secretary said, “when people like Kari Lake denied the results of the election and did everything they could to overturn the will of the voters, we stood firm. That’s the kind of leadership I’m going to bring to the Governor’s office. Real solutions, not conspiracy theories or finger-pointing but bringing people together to solve to our most urgent problems because we all care about pressing issues like our water crisis, lowering costs, and securing our border. These aren’t Democrat or Republican issues. They’re Arizona issues and they need Arizona solutions…This race is not about Democrats and Republicans. It’s a choice between sanity and chaos.”

Secretary Hobbs then repeated many of the talking points against Ms. Lake including her embrace of white nationalist Nazis, her stance against reproductive freedom and for the pre-statehood abortion ban, her calling to decertify the 2020 elections, and her refusal to commit to certifying the 2024 one, her support for people buying rocket launchers, her approval of unsecured cameras in the classroom where predators could access, her embrace of defunding the F.B.I., her acquiescence of Arizona seceding from the country and also taking another unconstitutional step to declare an invasion from south of the border.

The Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee finished by stating “Kari Lake is dangerous, too extreme, and out of touch with everyday Arizonans…Do we want a Governor whose entire platform boils down to being a sore loser or a Governor that will get the job done for Arizona…I am not afraid of a tough fight. I’m battle-tested and I’m the candidate that has won a statewide race…No matter your party or how you’ve voted in the past, there is room for you in this movement to take Arizona forward and I hope that you’ll join us.”

Secretary Hobbs took questions from the Reporters.

After her comments, Secretary Hobbs took questions from the reporters.

On Kari Lake not saying in her interview on Face the Nation if Biden legitimately won Arizona, she responded:

“I think everything she says is a distraction…from her position on abortion, from her position on the border, and the fact that she’s not offering any real solutions to these issues. She’s trying to distract from her extreme rhetoric, lack of any record, and what she would do as Governor.”

Please click here to see Ms. Lake’s full interview on Face the Nation.

On the important issues of how to prioritize abortion, border control, and the economy, Secretary Hobbs said:

“These are all issues that are priorities for me and I would add to that water…All of these things, where we are is because leaders haven’t stepped up and taken the urgent action needed…Education funding is another issue as well. These are all things that we have to tackle…I can’t say which is the biggest priority. We have to take action on day one and I’m ready to do that.”

On a follow-up on whether she is willing to compromise on abortion, border control, and the economy, she replied:

“We have to be able to compromise. Absolutely. Because as I said, the issues we are facing are not Democrat or Republican. They’re Arizona issues and they need Arizona solutions. We’re not all going to agree on all the answers. We have to work together to solve them.”

When Senior Campaign Advisor Joe Wolf was asked if the Secretary would compromise women’s rights, he responded that what the Secretary meant was that she is willing to find compromise on several issues and sit and talk with people to iron out differences but bargaining with woman’s rights is still off the table.

On speaking at the Barry Goldwater Memorial Park given the late Senator and 1964 Republican Presidential Nominee’s opposition to the Civil Rights Act of that year ( a bill he actually voted for in committee and later said he regretted not voting for it on the Senate floor,) Secretary Hobbs said the Arizona political giant “put Arizonans first” and correctly noted that Mr. Goldwater was a founding member of the Phoenix NAACP and had championed civil and equal rights legislation before and after 1964.

On reaching out to Independents, Secretary Hobbs said:

“For this entire campaign, I’ve talked to voters across the state. I’m not worried if they’re Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. I’m talking to voters about the issues they care about and what we can do to solve them together whether it’s water, education, or protecting our freedom to vote. These are issues Arizonans care about and I’ve been talking throughout this campaign about the solutions that we’ll start working on.”

Some of the other Republican attendees were:

• Rich Dozer, Former President of the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Peggy Neely, Former Phoenix City Councilwoman
• Sam Campana, Former Scottsdale Mayor
• Tommy McKone, CEO of McKone Strategies
• Alec Esteban Thomson, Multicultural and Public Service Director of LAVIDGE
• Peggy Bilsten, Former Phoenix City Councilwoman
• Jackie Norton, President and CEO of the Rodel Foundation of Arizona