IN FOCUS - Nov. 22, 2024
An emboldened opposition party. Murmurs of dissent within her own ranks. What is Governor Katie Hobbs to do?
Leverage the biggest political advantage she holds over all rivals -- the 9th Floor bully pulpit.
Governor Hobbs has been busy in the week since legislative Republicans elected new leadership, crisscrossing the state with an eye toward her 2026 re-election.
Her itinerary checked all the boxes for a Democratic official running for office in a red-ish state.
Bolster workforce development for Arizona’s burgeoning semiconductor industry with an apprenticeship program for economic powerhouse TSMC. Check.
Go to the border to announce an initiative to combat fentanyl trafficking. Check.
Strengthen relationships with Arizona’s critical tribal constituency by inking water deals with four tribes. Check.
The blitz comes amid talk of potential Primary challenges to Governor Hobbs, with Politico this week reporting on Democrats allegedly urging Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to run. Attorney General Kris Mayes also is said to have designs on the 9th Floor, though she downplayed rumors of a Primary challenge this week in saying she is “planning to run for re-election as Attorney General.” We’ll see …
Will Arizona Democrats have a wild 2026 gubernatorial Primary? The next nine months may be determinative.
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