Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs chooses former Republican as running mate in re-election bid

Hobbs faces a competitive re-election race against GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, former chair of the House Freedom Caucus.

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has chosen a former Republican as her running mate for her re-election bid this November.

On Tuesday, Hobbs named John Giles, who served as a GOP mayor of Mesa, Arizona, from 2014 to 2025, as her pick for lieutenant governor.

In a joint video announcement with Giles, Hobbs said she has fought for Arizonans as governor by cutting taxes, securing the border and supporting public safety.

“Now, for the first time in our state’s history, we are electing a governor and lieutenant governor on the same ticket. 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 said.

Giles said, “I was a lifelong Republican before becoming an independent because extremists shouldn’t stand in the way of getting things done.”