Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Picks Ex-GOP Mayor John Giles As Running Mate
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs named former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her lieutenant governor running mate on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, setting up a cross-partisan ticket ahead of the November general election.[1]
Giles served as mayor of Mesa and was a registered Republican for decades.[1] He switched his registration to independent on May 17, 2026, and voted in Arizona's Democratic primary last month.[1] Republican nominee Rep. Andy Biggs has picked former GOP state lawmaker Sine Kerr as his running mate, creating contrasting tickets in Arizona's first election for lieutenant governor.[1]
Arizona is holding its first election for lieutenant governor this year, which makes running-mate choices unusually consequential for both parties.[1] Hobbs's selection of a former GOP official who recently turned independent signals a bid to broaden appeal among moderate and independent voters as the race heads into the fall.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Gov. Katie Hobbs named former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her lieutenant governor running mate.
- Giles was a registered Republican for decades, switched to independent on May 17, 2026, and voted in Arizona's Democratic primary last month.
- Republican nominee Rep. Andy Biggs has selected former GOP state lawmaker Sine Kerr as his running mate, setting up contrasting tickets for Arizona’s first election of a lieutenant governor.
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