Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is preparing to name a running mate as she moves toward a re-election bid, with insiders saying she plans to select former Mesa Mayor John Giles for the lieutenant governor slot. The reports identify Giles, a Republican who has a history of crossing party lines on several prominent endorsements, as the likely choice to join a gubernatorial ticket that will be on the ballot this fall.
Insiders familiar with the matter say Hobbs has settled on Giles as the prospective partner for the campaign, though neither she nor Giles has publicly confirmed or denied those reports. The potential pairing would place a Republican with a record of independent endorsements alongside the Democratic incumbent as the state prepares for a high-profile contest in November.
Two politicians shown side-by-side — a woman at an event (left) and a man speaking at a podium (right) — accompanying reports that a bipartisan running mate is being considered for the governor’s re-election bid.
Hobbs is set to face Republican nominee Rep. Andy Biggs in the November general election. Biggs has secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, a factor that figures into the national attention on the Arizona governor's race. The state contest will be watched closely as both parties seek to mobilize voters across suburban and rural areas.
The reported move toward a bipartisan ticket follows the implementation of a 2022 ballot initiative that changed how Arizonans elect their executive leaders: for the first time in state history, voters will choose a governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket. That procedural change means the selection of a running mate is now a strategic decision with direct implications for ballot dynamics and campaign messaging.
Hobbs' 2022 victory over Kari Lake was built in part with significant support from moderate Republicans who chose not to back their party's nominee. The governor's earlier campaign drew on cross-party backing, and the reported consideration of Giles as a running mate would reflect a continuation of outreach to voters outside traditional Democratic ranks.
John Giles served three terms as Mesa mayor, holding that office from 2014 until 2025. As a Republican mayor, Giles has at times endorsed candidates from across the political spectrum. His endorsements include Senator Mark Kelly's 2022 campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election cycle, and he supported Hobbs during her initial run for governor. Those past endorsements underscore a pattern of Giles breaking with party lines on select contests.
Neither Hobbs nor Giles has issued a public statement confirming the reported arrangement. With the election calendar advancing, campaign watchers and voters will be looking for formal announcements that would finalize the makeup of the joint ticket under the new statewide voting structure.
A female politician smiles during a campaign event with “Arizona Let’s Vote Blue” signage behind her, shown alongside reporting that a potential bipartisan running mate may join the ticket.
As the state moves toward November, the selection of a lieutenant governor running mate marks a notable development in Arizona's gubernatorial race. With President Donald Trump's endorsement of Rep. Biggs and the governor's history of attracting moderate Republican support, the possibility of a bipartisan ticket has drawn attention from both local and national observers. Campaign schedules, filings and any official announcements in the coming days and weeks will determine whether the reported pairing becomes the ballot configuration voters see this fall.
Voter records show Giles formally switched from Republican to no party preference in May, according to Axios and the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. The change, which he had resisted saying as recently as 2024, further highlights his break with the GOP ahead of the reported selection.
On June 26, 2026 the Hobbs campaign posted a press release saying former Mesa Mayor John Giles had formally endorsed Gov. Katie Hobbs for re‑election.
Giles is listed as a member of the Arizona State Transportation Board in the board’s June 19, 2026 meeting notice; the Transportation Board’s membership is appointed by the governor.
State election guidance sets a deadline of Sept. 4, 2026 for gubernatorial nominees to name their running mates ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.
An AARP‑commissioned poll of likely Arizona voters conducted July 26–28 found Hobbs leading Andy Biggs 52% to 44% (margin of error ±3.2 points).
Republican nominee Andy Biggs announced former state senator Sine Kerr as his running mate on Aug. 3, 2026.