Katie HobbsKatie Hobbs

Governor Hobbs also stopped repeated attempts to expand Arizona’s preemption laws, which would have stripped cities, towns, and counties of their power to regulate firearms locally and provided sweeping legal protections to the gun industry instead of prioritizing community safety.

Governor Katie Hobbs is a proven defender of democracy. Prior to being elected governor in 2022, she served as Arizona's secretary of state and stood up to Trump and Republican efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Arizona. Hobbs also previously served in the State House and Senate, where she rose to Senate Minority Leader and championed expanding Medicaid, increasing access to healthcare, strengthening public education, and protecting voting rights. JDCA endorsed Governor Hobbs in 2022 and for her candidacy in 2026.

“Governor Katie Hobbs has stood firm against efforts to undermine Arizona’s elections and democratic norms. Her leadership reflects a clear understanding that public office is a public trust. People For the American Way proudly supports her continued work to safeguard voting rights and inclusive governance.”

Governor Katie Hobbs has called this race "the toughest in the country," defending a seat she won by fewer than 17,000 votes in 2022 while Republicans fielded an aggressive primary field backed by Trump.

Arizona is one of the most contested presidential and Senate battlegrounds in the country, and with the state legislature divided, Governor Hobbs has been the critical check on Republican attempts to restrict voting access and manipulate election administration. Losing this seat would give Republicans unified control over Arizona's election infrastructure heading into 2028, making it one of the highest-stakes gubernatorial races on the map.

Classified as favoring data center regulation. Limited on AI safety and regulation, moderate on data center opposition, limited public voice on AI.