Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has announced that she will run for re-election in 2026 alongside former Republican John Giles as her lieutenant governor candidate.
This announcement came during a joint statement and was featured in a campaign advertisement with Giles. Hobbs reiterated her commitment to prioritizing the needs of Arizonans over partisan divisions.
“For the first time ever, we’ll elect both a governor and lieutenant governor in the same election. I wanted a running mate who prioritizes Arizonans over party politics,” Hobbs stated.
Giles, who identifies as a “lifelong Republican,” served as the mayor of Mesa from 2014 until 2025. He shifted his party affiliation to independent in May 2026 and participated in the Democratic primary, as confirmed by communications director Michael Beyer.
In a discussion with the Associated Press before the announcement, Giles reflected on his decision to change party allegiance, mentioning that he considers himself conservative and had hoped to remain within the Republican Party longer to help it improve.
“A few months ago, I decided it was time to stop that effort,” he shared.
Giles notably supported former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election and even spoke in her favor at the Democratic National Convention. He expressed feelings of unease, saying, “I’ve been a lifelong Republican, but I feel more at home here than within the current Republican Party. The party has been taken over by extremists, becoming a cult around Donald Trump.”
He also backed Hobbs during her campaign against Kali Lake in 2022. As Hobbs prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial election, she will face Republican Representative Andy Biggs, who previously led the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
While some sources label Hobbs as “the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent,” the upcoming race currently seems to tilt in favor of Democrats.
Prior to her official announcement, reports indicated that Hobbs was likely to choose Giles as her running mate.
