Hobbs picks ex-GOP mayor Giles as Arizona running mate
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs selects Republican-turned-independent John Giles for her reelection campaign.
Conversation activity · last 14 hours peak 8/30m
Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 38 items across 6 sources · 10h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs announced on August 10, 2026, that she has selected former Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate for lieutenant governor in a competitive reelection bid. The bipartisan ticket aims to appeal to Republicans, conservative independents, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a state that was historically a GOP stronghold. Giles is a Trump critic who has endorsed Democrats including Kamala Harris.
- Hobbs' selection of Giles creates Arizona's first bipartisan gubernatorial ticket as voters elect the state's first lieutenant governor.
- Giles is a Trump critic and former Republican who has endorsed Democratic candidates, broadening Hobbs' appeal to independent and conservative voters.
- The ticket strategy aims to attract key voting blocs including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members in a state with GOP roots.
How it unfolded
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The Hill reports that Hobbs is eyeing a reelection bid against Republican Andy Biggs this November.
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NBC News reports that Hobbs has chosen a former Republican as her running mate for her November reelection bid.
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AP News coverage describes the ticket as aimed at appealing to Republicans and conservative independents in Arizona, the state's first elected lieutenant governor position.
“Katie Hobbs has picked a Republican-turned-independent to be her running mate in a tough reelection campaign, setting up a bipartisan ticket as voters elect the state's first lieutenant governor.”
Associated Press · Mastodon ↗ -
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs selected former Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate for lieutenant governor in her reelection campaign.
What people are saying verbatim
“Katie Hobbs has picked a Republican-turned-independent to be her running mate in a tough reelection campaign, setting up a bipartisan ticket as voters elect the state's first lieutenant governor.”
Associated Press · AP News ↗ · Aug 10
“Arizona's Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has chosen a former Republican as her running mate for her re-election bid this November.”
NBC News · NBC News ↗ · Aug 10
“Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) tapped former GOP Mesa Mayor John Giles as her running mate on Tuesday as the first-term Democrat eyes a reelection bid against Republican Andy Biggs this November.”
Caroline Vakil · The Hill ↗ · Aug 10
Voices from the web unedited
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Before the usual suspects and/or non-Arizonans weigh in, this was a very smart strategic move for THIS state. Giles, you may remember, spoke at the 2024 Democratic Convention. "Hobbs is considered the most vulnerable Democratic governor in the country".
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The more I read some of the comments here, the less convinced I am that a lot of self identified progressives actually want a democracy. It sounds like some folks want a progressive dictatorship. At some point, we have to live and work and govern with people who disagree with us. America is not some kind of wildly progressive country disguised as…
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Arizona lieutenant governor pick John Giles won't participate in debates Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ pick for lieutenant governor, former Mesa Mayor John Giles, will not participate in any public debate. August 11, 2026, 2:31 pm MST https://www. kjzz.org/elections/2026-08-11/ arizona-lieutenant-governor-pick-john-giles-wont-participate-in-debates
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Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has chosen former Republican John Giles as her running mate for her re-election bid this November.
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I don’t know which representative of Centrists has said this but sure. We’re saying that progressives want to abolish ICE, centrists want to reform ICE, and republicans want to further empower ICE. Three distinct positions, and clearly shows centrists are not aligned with the republican position. Not sure what the point of confusion is.
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This inclination sucks. Such a one way street and it will only dampen excitement for her re-election.