Arizona Governor Hobbs picks former Republican mayor as lieutenant-governor candidate
Governor Katie Hobbs announced former Mesa mayor John Giles, now an independent, as her running mate for Arizona’s first lieutenant-governor race.
In a bid to attract Republican and independent voters, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs named John Giles as her lieutenant-governor candidate. Giles, who served as Mesa’s mayor from 2014 to 2025, changed his registration to independent on May 17 and participated in the Democratic primary, citing a need to abandon his “crusade” to rescue the GOP. A vocal critic of Donald Trump, he has publicly backed Kamala Harris and other Democrats, and as mayor he signed a proclamation protecting LGBTQ residents.
Hobbs’ choice creates a bipartisan ticket ahead of Arizona’s first lieutenant-governor election, a position added in 2022 to clarify succession. The Republican side has U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs paired with former state legislator and farmer Sine Kerr. Both campaigns highlight the religious affiliation of many voters, noting that Giles and Biggs are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a group that has traditionally leaned Republican.
Why it matters
The ticket could reshape Arizona’s partisan dynamics in a closely contested gubernatorial race.
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